The Province is providing $500,000 to encourage the development and certification of high-performance windows that will help homeowners and businesses conserve energy and reduce heating costs, and stimulate the high-performance window manufacturing industry in British Columbia.

British Columbia window manufacturers will be eligible for total incentives of up to $80,000 to design, test, certify and build new window products that exceed the Province’s current energy-efficiency requirements.

The windows supported by this program will move from double-pane to triple-pane glazing and greatly increased insulation in the window frames, dramatically improving the comfort inside a home or building during colder months.

The costs associated with creating new window products that exceed current B.C. energy-efficiency requirements, including research and development, lab testing and certification, can be prohibitive for a window manufacturer and are a barrier to the introduction of new high-performance windows into the market. By providing financial incentives this program aims to address this market barrier and stimulate the development of high-performance windows by B.C. manufacturers.

There are two options for funding under the program:

• Manufacturers who receive the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification for new product lines from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are eligible for an incentive of $25,000,
• Manufacturers who receive the more stringent Passive House Institute certification for their new window product lines from the Passive House Institute (PHI) are eligible to receive an incentive of $40,000.

There is a maximum of two incentive payments allowed per manufacturer under the program. A new and different product line is required for each award. Manufacturers receive the incentive when they have completed the design and prototype-manufacture of the new window product and completed the certification process.

The High Performance Window Certification Program supports commitments under the Province’s Climate Leadership Plan to encourage the development of net-zero energy buildings and create innovation opportunities and financial incentives for advanced, energy efficient buildings.

The program will be administered for the Province by the Fenestration Association of British Columbia.

Funding comes from the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund. The ICE Fund is designed to support the Province’s energy, economic, environmental and greenhouse gas reduction priorities and advance B.C.’s clean energy sector.

The #BCTECH Strategy is a key component of the BC Jobs Plan to support the growth of British Columbia's vibrant technology sector and strengthen B.C.'s diverse innovation economy. The multi-year strategy includes a $100-million BC Tech Fund and initiatives to increase talent development through graduate seats, co-ops and coding, as well as data innovation and market access for tech companies to drive innovation and productivity throughout the province.

Quotes:

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines –

“High performance windows that keep the heat in and the cold out are one of the key components in improving the comfort and energy efficiency of our homes and buildings, reducing heating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Incentives for the design and manufacture of high performance windows support commitments under the Province’s Climate Leadership Plan to encourage the development of net-zero energy buildings.”

Dan Ashton, MLA for Penticton –

“We’re providing incentives to encourage local companies like Berdick Windows and Doors of Penticton to develop new designs and technologies that will lead to affordable, marketable, high-performance windows being built right here in British Columbia, stimulating the window manufacturing industry in our province while helping B.C. residents and businesses conserve energy and reduce their heating costs.”

Brian Walker, sales and marketing manager, Berdick Windows and Doors –

“The announcement of incentives for the High Performance Window Certification Program comes at a great time for us at Berdick Windows and Doors. We are currently in the preliminary stages of developing a new product line designed to exceed the efficiency and structural requirements of the North American Fenestration Standard and the BC Building Code. These incentives will go a long way toward helping us design, build, test and market this new high performance product.”

David Langton, Competition Glass Company Ltd., chairperson, Fenestration Association of B.C. –

“As an industry driven association FENBC is continually looking for ways to support and educate our membership and the fenestration industry as a whole. When the ICE funding was first introduced at one of our conferences the interest from the window manufacturers was immediate. These funds will provide some financial recovery and support the continued efforts of the window manufacturers here in B.C. to meet future energy saving goals. FENBC would like to thank the Government of British Columbia for having the insight to recognize and continue to support training especially in the fenestration sector.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2008, the ICE Fund has committed approximately $97 million to support pre-commercial clean-energy technology projects, clean-energy vehicles, research and development, and energy efficiency programs.
• The Fenestration Association of B.C. is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of businesses in the residential and commercial sectors of the fenestration industry in B.C. which includes manufacturers and installers of glass and related framing systems used in building construction such as windows, doors, skylights, window walls, curtain walls, and storefronts.
• In August 2016 the B.C. government unveiled the Climate Leadership Plan, outlining 21 actions leading to the creation of up to 66,000 green jobs over the next 10 years, and reducing net-annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 million tonnes below current forecasts by 2050.

Learn More:

High Performance Window Testing and Certification Program: http://www.fen-bc.org/content/view/about-hpwcp

Innovative Clean Energy Fund: www.gov.bc.ca/innovativecleanenergyfund

#BCTECH Strategy: https://bctechstrategy.gov.bc.ca/