03.3 / Work ExampleEnergy Efficiency Programs

Rental Apartment Retrofit Accelerator Program (RARA)

Rental apartment building owners in British Columbia can access a suite of energy efficiency and decarbonization retrofit planning support services. The program provides expert guidance from professional engineers throughout every stage of the retrofit process, as well as support in accessing applicable financial incentives.

Coaching Support, Energy Studies and Implementation Support  

Eligible participants can access:   

• Flexible support for planning and implementing building retrofits.
  Depending on the retrofit planning stage and participant needs, this may include:   

• Coaching Support to Advance Your Retrofit Project   

• Energy Benchmarking  

• Retrofit Opportunity Assessment (including CleanBC)  

• Feasibility Study, including Detailed Business Case  

• Retrofit Implementation Support  

• Support accessing all available financial incentives, pilots, rebates, grants, financing, tax credits or tax exemptions, and programs, including the CleanBC MURB Retrofit Program.  

Register Here

Incentives and Funding 

• BC Hydro and CleanBC MURB Retrofit Program  

• District of Saanich and City of Victoria Property Tax Exemption  

• Clean Technology (CT) Investment Tax Credit (ITC)  

• BC Hydro Solar and Battery Storage Rebate Program  

• Clean Buildings Tax Credit  

• Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation CMHC MLI Select Program  

• Exclusive pilot programs  

Who can Apply?

• Buildings must be market rental buildings located in British Columbia, program offers and incentives will vary by location  
• Buildings must have natural gas or electric heating 

• No tenants may be evicted or permanently displaced due to improvements completed as part of the project 

• Applicants who are LandlordBC members may be given preference 

Eligible Retrofits

Eligible Retrofits:  

Participants can receive technical support for a wide range of upgrades, see the list below. Note – Funding assistance may not be available for all retrofit options or for buildings in all locations.

• Space heating systems
• Domestic hot water systems
• Ventilation systems
• Hybrid systems.
• Load management technologies, appliance upgrades, gas pool heater replacements, and onsite renewable energy projects.
• Solar and battery storage
• Electic Vehicle insfratructure
• Complimentary retrofits like new windows, insulation, air sealing, lighting, lighting controls, electrical capacity upgrades, variable speed drives, and appliances.

The RARA Program Timeline

• Program registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Participant recruitment until fully subscribed. Applications prior to the end of 2025 may have access to additional programs supports that will not be available after that time

For more information or to schedule a meeting to discuss if this program is right for you, please contact rara@frescoltd.com or call 1.877.335.7042.  

The RARA program is a LandlordBC initiative, administered in partnership with FRESCo Building Efficiency. 

Register Here