What BC Hydro pays for insulation in Burnaby
We re-read BC Hydro's page on October 2, 2026. These amounts apply to owned houses heated mainly by electricity. Gas-heated houses should check FortisBC.
Attic
Up to $900, with at least R12 added.
Wall and basement areas
Up to $1,200 each for wall cavities, sheathing, and basement or crawlspace.
Other areas
Up to $1,000, with at least R20 added.
Bonus for more than one upgrade
BC Hydro's page names the bonus but not the formula.
Lower-income households
Free evaluation and upgrades for income-qualified customers.
A sloped-lot example
A house on one of Burnaby's slopes may have a walk-out basement. Adding R-12 to 700 square feet of basement wall pays 0.09 x 12 x 700 = $756. Adding R-30 to a 1,000 square foot attic pays 0.02 x 30 x 1,000 = $600. Together that is $1,356, before any multi-upgrade bonus. Your invoice decides the final figure.
Who in Burnaby can use this
The 2021 Census counted 101,135 households in Burnaby. Of those, 35,865 (35%) live in homes built before 1981, but 53% of Burnaby households are in apartments and 40% rent. Only 9,220 are owner-occupied single-detached houses from before 1981. If you are one of them, the rebate fits well. If you own a unit in a tower or townhouse complex, the Home Renovation Rebate does not apply. BC Hydro runs a separate Condo and Apartment Rebate Program for you.
A mild climate with a damp edge
Burnaby's average January low from 2015 to 2024 was 1.1°C, and the coldest day was -16.2°C. Winters are not harsh, so insulation is as much about comfort and moisture control as the bill. Do not seal and insulate a damp crawlspace without a plan for ventilation. Ask your contractor how they will handle air sealing, because BC Hydro asks that insulation follow its best-practice guide for air sealing and insulation retrofits.
Where to put the money first
The wall and basement lines pay $0.09 per R per square foot, over four times the attic rate, but walls can cost more to open up. Ask for a separate price for each area so you can see the rebate against the cost line by line.
Rules to remember
- A Home Performance Contractor Network member must install the insulation.
- Only new material counts, and pest problems must be fixed first.
- Insulation needed for a permitted addition does not qualify.
- You have six months from the invoice date to apply.
Top-rated installers in Burnaby
These Burnaby companies have the best Google review records for insulation in our data, weighted by number of reviews. Placement cannot be bought.
How to claim in Burnaby
- Confirm you own a house, row home or duplex and that your heat is mainly electric.
- Ask each contractor for a line-by-line price and the R-value added for each area.
- After the job, check the invoice lists the insulation type, R-value and area.
- Apply online within six months.
- If you are adding a second upgrade such as a heat pump, apply together.
Common questions
I own a townhouse in Burnaby. Can I use this rebate?
Possibly. BC Hydro accepts side-by-side row homes and townhouses when each unit has its own meter and the utility account is not in a strata corporation's name. Condos and apartments use a different program.
Which part of the house gives the most rebate?
Walls and basements pay $0.09 per R per square foot, against $0.02 for attics. The caps are $1,200 and $900.
Do I need an air sealing step?
BC Hydro requires that insulation follow its best-practice guide for air sealing and insulation retrofits.
Will insulation change my Burnaby bill much?
BC Hydro says it can save at least 10% of a home's energy cost. Burnaby's mild winters make the savings smaller than in the Interior.
Is there an income-based option?
Yes. Lower-income BC Hydro customers can apply for free evaluations and upgrades.
What to do next
See Burnaby window rebates and heat pump rebates if you are planning more than one upgrade.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 2, 2026: BC Hydro insulation rebates, BC Hydro Home Renovation Rebate Program, FortisBC insulation rebates, Statistics Canada 2021 Census, table 98-10-0233-01. All Burnaby rebates → Every BC Hydro rebate →