Hi friend, Welcome to the December 2023 edition of HPSC Monthly. This month, we bring you these top stories and more: -
Earn 2.5x the points from hardware stores with a Vancity enviro™ Visa Infinite Business card
- Help us plan for the spring forum and enter to win a Starbucks gift card
- Is the Canada Greener Homes Initiative ending?
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Earn 2.5x the Points from Hardware Stores with a Vancity enviro™ Visa Infinite Business* Card
From now until Thursday, January 4, 2024, become an enviro Visa Infinite Business cardholder to earn up to $540 rewards value.1 That means you’ll get:
- No annual fee for the first year ($120 value)
- 10,000 reward points after your first purchase ($100 rewards value)
- 23,000 reward points when you spend $6,000+ in the first 3 months ($230 rewards value)
With Vancity Rewards, points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, and even charitable donations. On top of the bonus reward points already mentioned, you’ll earn: - 5 points for every $1 spent on public transit, ferries, buses, taxi, rail, and parking
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5 points for every $1 spent on office or hardware supplies, electronics, and more
- 25 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
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Double the points when booking travel though Vancity Rewards
And let’s not forget: every purchase made with an enviro Visa card supports environmental initiatives in our communities, thanks to the Vancity enviroFund™ program. This year, whether you’re shopping for your team members, loved ones, or yourself — choose the card that makes you a financial force for change.
Learn more by visiting Vancity's website. enviro™ is a trademark of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union.
*Trademark of Visa Int., used under license.
1Terms and conditions apply. Vancity membership required for certain cash back rewards. Must have a Vancity deposit account to redeem for cash. Learn more at Vancity Rewards Program Terms and Conditions. |
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CleanBC Income Qualified Program Update
CleanBC has provided an important update regarding their Income Qualified Program. As of December 5, 2023, the following general eligibility requirement for participating homeowners has been added: -
The home must have an assessed value at or under $1,222,000 in the current years (year of program registration) BC Assessment listing for the address of the applicant’s home.
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In addition to this new requirement, all participants in the CleanBC Income Qualified Program must meet all programs Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions at the time of their registration to the program. These Program Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions can be found at https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/income-qualified/.
A reminder that homeowners are required to hire an HPCN member who has onboarded with the CleanBC Income Qualified Program. FAQs Will this impact approved participants or participants that have already registered but haven’t received an eligibility code yet?
This update will only impact participants that register in the CleanBC Income Qualified Program on or after December 5, 2023. What other programs can a homeowner access if they do not meet the CleanBC Income Qualified Program requirements?
Homeowners can participate in the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate program, additionally they can register and participate in the federal Greener Homes Grant program. The homeowner will need to meet the program requirements to be eligible for each program independently.
Where can customers find out more information?
Customers can visit betterhomesbc.ca/income-qualified for more information.
Please reach out to us at IQPContractorSupport@betterhomesbc.ca if you have any questions or comments about the new requirements effective December 5, 2023.
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Enter to Win a Starbucks Gift Card
The HPSC is preparing for next spring's Contractor Forum and we want to hear your ideas. What topics or activities would make this event worthwhile for you?
Complete a short survey for a chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card. Click this link to complete the survey. |
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Is the Canada Greener Homes Initiative Ending?
You may have heard that Natural Resources Canada's Canada Greener Homes Initiative is ending in March 2024. As of the publishing of this newsletter, the HPSC has not been able to confirm whether this is accurate or speculation. The federal government has not released an official statement or updated its program website with new information.
CBC News has quoted Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson as saying the following: -
"Yes, we've actually started to exhaust the funds earlier than what we had anticipated, and that's largely a function of the popularity of the program."
- "We have a certain budgetary envelope. We have to exhaust or utilize that envelope before we can ask the minister of finance for additional money."
- "Typically, the budgets happen in March or in April, but at this stage, we have money for some number of months to be able actually to continue to accept applications."
The HPSC and our program partners have reached out to Natural Resources Canada for further information; we have yet to receive confirmation or official comment. We will update our ENews subscribers in future editions with any new information we receive.
In the meantime, we recommend that you continue to direct homeowners to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative website for official program requirements and the latest updates. |
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| BC Green Building Calendar
Check out the new BC Green Building Calendar, a resource to find all of the latest events and training related to green building subject matter, including: emissions, energy efficiency, resiliency, high-performance design, and more. |
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| Reaching Future Performance Targets Using Fundamental Enclosure Concepts
Due to popular demand, CHBA BC's highly interactive one day workshop will return this Fall to more cities. This one-day training is designed for both new and seasoned Part 9 Residential builders for gaining hands-on experience with high-performance air and water barrier membrane installation and building the fundamental knowledge required to be successful in evaluating and implementing high-performance enclosure design demanded by current and future code requirements.
SPRING 2024 DATES: Feb 8 - Nanaimo Feb 29 - Kamloops
March 7 - Salmon Arm April 4 - Kelowna April 18 - Vernon
This course is approved for 7 CPD points. If you are interested in bringing more staff to the event, group rates are available. Note that there are a limited number of hands-on spots available for these sessions, so it is recommend to register early. |
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| HPCN REQUIRED COURSES - OPTION 1
TECA Principles of Moving Air Online | Classes starting Jan 31, 2024 | $659 + GST (non-members)*
This course will benefit those working in the New, Retrofit or Repair portions of the industry. It was developed to give those who are designing or installing duct systems the ability to create quiet, efficient systems which deliver the required volumes while using the least fan energy. Today, furnaces, heat pumps and ventilation systems require larger volumes of air to be moved. Duct fitting shape, the number of fittings, air filters, coils all contribute to reduced flow in ductwork.
*Special Offer for Kootenays*
CEA has organized an in-person offering of the POMA course and is offering a $150 subsidy for those joining from the Kootenay, Boundary, and Columbia Basin regions. To learn more or to register, follow the links below:
TECA Heat Loss/Heat Gain Course Online | Classes starting Jan 8, 2024 | $385 + GST (non-members)*
The course is intended to help participants perform accurate and code-compliant heat loss and heat gain calculations. The BC Building Code calls for CSA F280-12 for calculation of heat loss and heat gain, for Part 9 buildings. The TECA Heat Loss / Gain software has been designed to give users an accurate and simple way to calculate heating and cooling loads by the CSA F280-12 calculation methods.
*HPCN members are eligible for a 100% reimbursement plus contribution towards wages. Visit homeperformance.ca/HPCN to learn more about membership and training subsidies. |
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| HPCN REQUIRED COURSES - OPTION 2
70% off - HRAI Basic Principles of Residential Ventilation Online | On-Demand | $28.04*
Through this online course, participants are introduced to the basic principles of residential ventilation. The course starts by defining the concepts known as “House as a System”; the flow of air, heat and water and how these impact natural ventilation (i.e., air leakage). The course includes a description of the theory of mechanical airflow including air pressure, duct resistance and fan ratings. A review of the impact on combustion appliances, humidity levels and indoor air quality is also provided.
HRAI Residential Heat Loss & Heat Gain Calculations
Online | Classes starting Jan 20, 2024 | $1,360 + tax*
Based on the CSA Standard F280-12, students get a firsthand introduction of the basic principles of building science and heat loss/gain. Through various in-class exercises, the student will learn how to determine the thermal resistance (R value) of various building assemblies, such as walls and ceilings. Accurately, calculate room by room heat loss and gain while considering the influences of occupancy, exposure, ventilation, air leakage across the building envelope and more.
*HPCN members are eligible for a 100% reimbursement plus contribution towards wages. Visit homeperformance.ca/HPCN to learn more about membership and training subsidies. |
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This list of training and events is compiled for your information. The HPSC is not affiliated with any of the third party organizations providing training or hosting events.
Know of other professional development opportunities? Let us know at info@homeperformance.ca |
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