BC Home Energy Planner Launches Across British Columbia

Homeowners in British Columbia now have access to a powerful tool to understand their home's energy usage and upgrade potential.

The BC Home Energy Planner, a joint effort between the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI) and Properate, is now available across British Columbia. After a successful trial period in communities across the province — including Smithers, Saanich, New Westminster and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary— all homeowners can now use the platform to assess home energy usage. 

The project will provide virtual energy ratings for the 1.3 million homeowners in BC with a goal of reducing the 6.9 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions that come from our buildings and homes. In a few simple steps, homeowners can use the tool to assess their home’s energy performance and identify key upgrades to improve efficiency and sustainability.

As a leader in clean energy, British Columbia has the most ambitious remote energy rating program in North America. The BC Home Energy Planner uses a white labelled version of the Properate Homes tool to provide accessible home energy ratings, upgrade information and education to all communities, including remote areas that may not have access to Energy Advisors.

A simple questionnaire — where homeowners enter their address, verify their identity and provide details of their home — alongside publicly available information allows homeowners to receive their home’s energy score and recommended upgrades. The platform then provides education on extreme weather events, available rebates and next steps to enhance home energy efficiency.

This initiative was developed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind. After extensive research, development, and user testing, it was designed to include targeted customizations specific to BC’s demographics.

Properate’s privacy-friendly energy rating methodology ensures that no sensitive user data is required, providing peace of mind to all users.

BC offers several rebate programs to help homeowners make the transition to sustainable housing more affordable, including the Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program and Home Energy Savings. These programs aim to address the building envelope, including windows and insulation, as well as heating and cooling methods.

By using the BC Home Energy Planner, homeowners can assess the upgrades their homes need, and discover the rebates and support programs they’re eligible for, making the retrofit process easier and more affordable.

Properate’s tools, including Homes, are available across Canada, but more work is needed to make remote and virtual energy auditing accessible to communities on a large scale. If you think your community would benefit from this technology, reach out to us for partnership opportunities and help us make sustainable energy solutions available to everyone.

Are you in British Columbia and ready to make your home more energy-efficient? Visit the BC Home Energy Planner today to take the first step towards a more sustainable home.