Vancouver Island/ Coast

The program is operated at a community level through grants provided by the Province.

Beginning February 1, 2011, the City of Nanaimo will award 75 rebates ($250) on a first come, first serve basis to homeowners who upgrade their old, uncertified wood burning fireplaces to new, energy efficient gas or pellet models.

Appliances that can be changed-out under this program include:

• A free-standing, non-EPA certified "stove", a homemade or barrel stove.
• A so-called "airtight" non-EPA certified fireplace insert, or tube-type heat exchanger with a face plate and door (like the Free Heat Machine or Welenco) that is currently installed in an open hearth fireplace.
• A non-EPA certified "wood furnace" (ducted, forced air, home heating appliance) - may only be replaced by an EPA certified wood furnace or pellet furnace.
• A wood burning cook stove.

Replace the appliances listed above with the following:

• An EPA certified wood stove, pellet stove or high efficiency gas stove/fireplace.
• An EPA certified wood insert, pellet insert, electric insert or high efficiency gas insert.
• An EPA certified, factory-built fireplace (may only be accepted if it is replacing a non-EPA certified wood stove or non-EPA certified wood insert-not an existing factory built fireplace).

You might acquire a depreciable property such as a building, furniture, or equipment to use in your business or professional activities.

You cannot deduct the cost of the property when you calculate your net business or professional income for the year.

However, since these properties wear out or become obsolete over time, you can deduct their cost over a period of several years. The deduction for this is called capital cost allowance (CCA)

For more information please see the Claiming Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) webpage.

Incorporating sustainability measures on your next construction or renovation project can save you money and time, while helping make your property more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Visit the Regional District of Nanaimo's Green Buildings and Incentives page for information about:

• Sustainable Development Checklist - $500-$1000
• Woodstove Exchange - $250 for a new stove
• Graded Site-Cut Timber Incentive - $250
• Home Energy Assessment - $60
• Toilet Rebate - $50-$75
• Solar Hot Water System Installation - $250
• Solar Hot Water System Bulk Purchase
  (see website for details)

BC Hydro and FortisBC have teamed up to help provide you with a $75 rebate for purchasing an ENERGY STAR washing machine. In addition to that, you could save money on your energy bills, because ENERGY STAR models use less mechanical energy and less water.

To learn about the application process and find out more information, please go to either the FortisBC ENERGY STAR Clothes Washer Rebate webpage, or the BC Hydro Power Smart Appliance Rebate Program webpage.

Purchase an EnerChoice fireplace between June 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012 with an EnerGuide™ label that tells you how energy efficient it is, and you could be eligible for a $300 rebate from FortisBC.

For more information, please visit the EnerChoice Fireplace Program webpage.

FortisBC is also still accepting applications for the $150 rebate for qualifying fireplaces purchased and installed between July 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011.

Change your oil or propane heating system to natural gas, and install a new ENERGY STAR rated high efficiency heating system and you may qualify for a $1,000 cash rebate.

Also, you could be eligible for $50 more with an electronically commutated motor (ECM), with the rebate being supplied by either BC Hydro or FortisBC PowerSense.