BC Hydro MURB Funding for Stratas and Rental Buildings
Your strata, rental apartment building or equity co-op may qualify for up to $5,000 toward an Opportunity Assessment and up to $30,000 toward a Feasibility Study. Acacia Engineering is a BC Hydro MURB consultant, Alliance member and VT Group company that can review your building and help guide the process.
Submission does not constitute a BC Hydro application or approval.
Limited-Time Bonus Incentive
BC Hydro currently offers a 30% bonus on qualifying electrical energy-efficiency mechanical and lighting projects until February 12, 2027. Projects switching from natural gas, oil or propane to electricity are not eligible for this bonus. Additional eligibility conditions and project deadlines apply.
BC Hydro MURB Funding Overview
UP TO $5,000
Opportunity Assessment
BC Hydro may cover up to 100% of eligible Opportunity Assessment costs, to a maximum of $5,000. Applicable tax is not covered.
UP TO $30,000
Feasibility Study
Funding of up to 100% of eligible study costs, to a maximum of $30,000, may be available for a detailed technical and financial review of a selected building system or retrofit opportunity.
UPGRADE REBATES
Eligible Improvements
Additional rebates may be available for qualifying heat pumps, mechanical systems, lighting, water heating, windows and other whole-building energy improvements.
Program funding, eligibility and approval are determined by BC Hydro. Review the official BC Hydro MURB program and the March 2026 participant guide.
Is Your Building Eligible?
Your property may be a candidate if it meets the general building and ownership requirements below. Acacia Engineering can complete a preliminary review before a formal application is prepared.
- Purpose-built rental, condominium or equity co-op building
- Low-rise or high-rise apartment building or stacked townhome
- Existing building—not new construction
- Three storeys or higher
- Located in BC Hydro’s service territory
- Common-area lighting
- Central mechanical systems
Not sure Whether Your Building Qualifies?
Preliminary review does not constitute BC Hydro approval. Final eligibility and funding are determined through BC Hydro’s application process.
How the Program Works
The program moves from a high-level building assessment to detailed engineering and, where supported by the findings, implementation and rebates.
Step 1: Opportunity Assessment
Funding up to $5,000
Acacia Engineering reviews the property and identifies practical short- and long-term retrofit opportunities through a BC Hydro Opportunity Assessment.
Includes:
- Site review
- Building-system overview
- Retrofit opportunity register
- Preliminary priorities
- Recommended next steps
- Identification of potential incentives
For an approved scope within the available funding, BC Hydro funding may cover Acacia Engineering’s full assessment fee. Applicable tax is not covered.
Step 2: Feasibility Study
Funding up to $30,000
Where an opportunity requires more detailed review, a professional engineer can complete a MURB Feasibility Study examining technical options, costs, potential savings and implementation requirements.
Potential study areas include:
- Heating and cooling
- Heat pumps
- Domestic hot water
- Ventilation
- Controls
- Lighting
- Windows
- Electrical capacity
- Electrification
Step 3: Implementation and Rebates
Rebates for eligible upgrades
If the findings support implementation, BC Hydro may provide rebates for qualifying whole-building improvements.
Potential measures may include:
- Mechanical equipment
- Heat pumps
- Lighting and controls
- Water heating
- Windows
- Ventilation systems
- Other approved building upgrades
What the Opportunity Assessment Includes
Better Information Before Major Capital Decisions
A BC Hydro Opportunity Assessment gives strata councils, property managers and building owners an organized roadmap for potential energy retrofits, equipment replacement and future capital planning.
Typical Assessment Deliverables
- Professional site and system review
- Building-information summary
- Retrofit opportunity register
- Short- and long-term project identification
- Preliminary prioritization
- Recommendations for detailed studies
- Potential incentive pathways
- Capital-planning information
Capital Planning
Understand which systems may require attention and how projects could be sequenced.
Risk Identification
Identify aging or inefficient systems before replacement decisions become urgent.
Following implementation, recommended measures may contribute to lower operating costs, improved comfort, better building performance and stronger resilience. Actual outcomes depend on the projects selected and completed.
Project Prioritization
Separate immediate opportunities from projects requiring further analysis.
Coordinated Planning
Support depreciation-report, electrical-planning, EV-readiness and equipment-replacement discussions.
Systems and Upgrades That May Be Reviewed
What Could be Considered?
Heating and Cooling
Review of central heating, cooling and potential electrification opportunities.
Heat Pumps
Assessment of suitable cold-climate heat pump options for individual suites, central systems and common areas.
Ventilation
Review of ventilation systems, including heat recovery, make-up air equipment and controls, to improve efficiency and indoor air quality.
Domestic Hot Water
Assessment of opportunities to upgrade central or in-suite domestic hot water systems with efficient electric or heat pump technologies.
Lighting and Controls
Review of lighting systems and controls to identify opportunities for LED upgrades, occupancy sensors and networked lighting controls.
Windows and Building Envelope
Assessment of windows, glazing and other building-envelope components to identify upgrades that reduce heat loss and improve building performance.
Electrical Capacity
Evaluation of the building’s electrical capacity and potential service upgrades needed to support low-carbon electrification projects.
EV Readiness
Assessment of electrical infrastructure and upgrade requirements needed to prepare the building for electric vehicle charging.
Solar and Battery Storage
Review of opportunities to integrate solar panels and battery energy storage into the building’s long-term retrofit plan.
Why Choose Acacia Engineering?
Professional Engineering Support From Assessment to Implementation
Acacia Engineering is a BC Hydro Alliance member and VT Group company supporting MURB Opportunity Assessments, professional engineering Feasibility Studies and building-retrofit planning in British Columbia.
Our role is not simply to identify available incentives. We help owners understand the building systems behind the opportunity, evaluate technical implications and organize the findings into information that supports responsible capital decisions.
Supporting eligible buildings throughout BC Hydro’s service territory, including Vancouver Island, Greater Vancouver and Interior British Columbia.
See How Your Building Could Benefit
Watch this short video to understand how the BC Hydro MURB Retrofit Program can help building owners identify, evaluate and prioritize potential retrofit opportunities.