Go Green and Save! Free Co-op Energy Benchmarking and $500 Incentive

  24 May 2024

Take a step towards sustainability (and maybe $500)

Is your housing co-operative interested in environmental sustainability and energy efficiency? If so, CHF BC can help through our Energy Benchmarking Program!

Our program helps co-ops track and compare their homes’ energy use, identify ways to improve and develop good practices, and see the impact of changes. Co-ops can join and participate for FREE!

Benchmarking may become a requirement in the future, so this is a great time to get started.

Eligibility Criteria

Interested housing co-ops should meet the following requirements:

  • Operate apartment and/or townhome buildings (multi-unit residential buildings)
  • Have a minimum of 10 residential units
  • Be a customer of BC Hydro and/or FortisBC
  • A current member of CHF BC

Additional restrictions may apply based on a co-op’s utility company and/or municipality.

CHF BC-Vancity ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (ESPM) Support Program

CHF BC member housing co-ops that sign up for our benchmarking program—and are Vancity members—may be eligible for an incentive of up to $500!

Intake Rounds

It can take some work to set up benchmarking, and requirements occasionally change. To help make the process more efficient for co-ops and us, we’re introducing intake rounds.

Eligible co-ops that submit required paperwork and documentation to complete benchmarking setup by June 30, 2024 can receive their incentive payment this summer. Subsequent deadlines for intake to be announced.

Program Criteria and Considerations

Co-ops that meet the minimum requirements for energy benchmarking can participate even if they are not eligible for the CHF BC-Vancity incentive.

To receive incentive payments, co-ops must be eligible for both energy benchmarking and the CHF BC-Vancity ESPM Support Program, as well as complete one or more steps required to qualify for the incentive.

CHF BC cannot guarantee a set timeline for co-op receipt of incentive funds. There are a range of factors can impact set up of benchmarking, even where necessary information is available. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Changes made by utility providers
  • Updates to the EnergyStar Portfolio Manager platform
  • Complexities with co-op properties
  • Technical issues.

More Information

  • Is your co-op new to benchmarking? Find out more and contact us to get started. Aim to submit all required documents by June 30 or earlier.
  • Is your co-op already working with us? Make sure you have submitted all needed documents and paperwork beforehand. Benchmarking setup typically isn’t complicated, but there may be unique factors. Email us if you have any questions!
  • Does your co-op already have benchmarking set up? If your co-op already has an EnergyStar Portfolio Manager account set up, contact us for more information and to see what’s possible!