Quick quiz: how windows and doors work
Ten questions on the technology. Tap an answer to see why.
Short answer: BC Hydro pays $100 per window or door, up to $2,000. The new unit must have a U-factor of 1.22 or lower (metric), be certified, and be installed by a licensed contractor. Apply within six months of your invoice.
Nanaimo is on central Vancouver Island, with mild, wet winters that are close to ideal for heat pumps. Many Nanaimo homes use baseboards, oil or older gas furnaces. The island's mild winters mean a well-sized heat pump can carry nearly the whole heating load.
The window and door rebate rules
- Amount: $100 for each window or door, up to $2,000 per home.
- Efficiency: U-factor of 1.22 W/m²·K or less. Your quote should list it.
- Certified by CSA, Intertek, Labtest, QAI or NFRC.
- Replacing existing windows or doors between heated and unheated space. Skylights don't count.
- Installed by a licensed contractor. Self-installs don't qualify.
- Apply within six months of the invoice.
BC Hydro's window rebate is part of its home renovation rebates for electrically heated homes. If you heat with gas, check FortisBC's version, which is open to FortisBC gas customers too.
Bonuses for doing more than one upgrade
BC Hydro offers a bonus of up to $2,000 when you complete more than one upgrade, like windows plus insulation. FortisBC has a $300 two-upgrade bonus.
Is replacing windows worth it?
Honestly, windows are one of the most expensive upgrades for the energy they save. If your windows are in decent shape, insulation and air sealing usually save more per dollar. Replace windows when they're failing, fogged or drafty, and use the rebate to take the edge off.
The income-qualified CleanBC Energy Savings Program (July 2026 rules) does not include windows. ECAP may cover some draftproofing for income-qualified homes.
What's different in Nanaimo
- City of Nanaimo Home Energy Retrofit Financing: zero-interest loans up to $15,000, paid back over 10 years on your property tax bill. It covers heat pumps, insulation, windows and doors, and solar. Applications are open Sept 14 to Oct 31, 2026, and you must register with the free Home Energy Navigator.
- The Regional District of Nanaimo adds $150 to BC Hydro's home EV charger rebate for homes in its electoral areas (a separate application).
What to do next
- Check which utility heats your home.
- Get quotes that list the U-factor and certification of each unit.
- Ask about insulation at the same time to earn the bonus.
- Keep your invoice and photos of the labels, and apply within six months.
Questions people ask
How much is the BC window rebate?
$100 per window or door, up to $2,000, from BC Hydro or FortisBC. The City of Vancouver is excluded.
Do ENERGY STAR windows automatically qualify?
Not automatically. The rule is a U-factor of 1.22 W/m²·K or less and certification by a listed body. Check the number on the label or quote.
What is Nanaimo's zero-interest retrofit loan?
The City of Nanaimo lends up to $15,000 at 0% for heat pumps, insulation, windows and doors, or solar. You repay it over 10 years on your property tax bill. The 2026 intake runs Sept 14 to Oct 31.
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Compare top-rated Nanaimo installers →Sources, checked September 26, 2026: BC Hydro window and door rebates · FortisBC window and door rebates · CleanBC Energy Savings Program rules (July 6, 2026).
