Free Air Conditioners in BC: Who’s Eligible, How to Apply
BC Hydro is now accepting applications for publicly funded air conditioners for low-income residents.
The online app went live on Friday for those living in apartments or flats, with the website providing additional information about who is eligible and how the program will be rolled out. In the two weeks since the county announced $10 million in funding to support this initiative, a spokesperson for BC Hydro said the utility has received 2,000 requests to be notified when applications open.
Currently BC Hydro and City of New Westminster customers can apply. Fortis Electric customers can fill out a form to receive an inquiry as soon as it is available.
The income threshold is based on the pre-tax income of all adults living in a home. To qualify for a single person, they must earn less than $38,200 per year. For a two-person household, it’s $47,600; for a three person household it is $58,500. Children are included in the total number of people that make up a household. The income threshold is capped at $101,100 for a home with seven or more people.
“We know that after the past two summers and with the heat we have already had this year, many British Columbians are looking for air conditioning to keep them cool, but cost is a barrier for many. We hear from our customers, especially those in apartments, condos and mobile homes, which suffer the most from heat and often have limited options when it comes to cooling,” a BC Hydro spokesperson said in an email to CTV News.
Acceptable proof of income includes a tax bill from the Canada Revenue Agency or verification that the applicant receives income or disability assistance. Proof that someone receives housing benefit from BC Housing, such as the Care Assistance for the Elderly Tenants or the Rent Assistance Program, can also be submitted, as well as proof of receipt of the Child Benefit or the Supplement Garant.
Tenants with a utility bill in their name are required to submit an additional document to qualify.
BC Hydro’s website doesn’t specify how long it is expected to take applications to process, but it does say that a contractor will contact you within two weeks of approval to schedule a home visit.
The utility notes that it will work with the Department of Health and prioritize those who are “medically vulnerable to heat,” which is defined as people over the age of 65 who receive home care. Those who meet these criteria but exceed the income threshold may be referred by their community health professional,” says BC Hydro’s website.
$50 AC DISCOUNT
People can buy it until July 28 certain portable or window mounted air conditioning units can receive a $50 discount from BC Hydro. The rebate program launched on June 2, and a spokesperson for BC Hydro says about 6,300 people have accessed it so far.
Ninety percent of those people, an emailed statement said, received an automatic in-store rebate at a Costco, Best Buy, or Home Depot. People who purchased an eligible unit elsewhere can apply for the rebate online until Sept. 26 and will see the $50 as a credit on a future hydropower bill.
