...
Hundreds of $10K FortisBC heat pump rebates in jeopardy over contractor certification

Hundreds of FortisBC customers who applied for a $10,000 rebate on their heat pump installation could lose out on the money because of a problem with their contractor’s certification.

According to the CBC, FortisBC has been denying many applications for the rebate because one of the main contractors in the area, Moore and Russell, has not had the required certification from the British Columbia Certified Contractors Network (HPCN) for three months.

Jeff Thompson’s story:
Jeff Thompson, a North Vancouver resident, is one of about 200 potential customers who have been affected. He signed a $20,000 contract with the company to install a heat pump that included the promise of a $10,000 rebate from FortisBC. But after applying, he discovered that the contractor did not have a valid certification at the time of the installation and his application was denied.

“I’m really angry. I didn’t think anything of it,” he says. “You have to be more careful when choosing a contractor, because it turns out it’s not a simple process.”

Where did the problem start?
Moore and Russell CEO Jeremy Slater says the problem arose after an employee left the company last year. HPCN regulations require all technicians to have completed four specific training courses, but due to staff turnover, the company’s approval was temporarily suspended from March 5 to May 31. Slater claims he never received the HPCN warning email because it was stuck in a firewall.

However, the company’s name still appeared as a valid contractor in FortisBC’s application registration system, so customers were safe signing up.

The fallout and backlash:
Slater says up to $1.5 million in rebates are at risk, and one customer has even filed a lawsuit against the company, seeking $10,000 in damages.

FortisBC and HPCN Response:
FortisBC said it is investigating the matter and appreciates customers’ patience and understanding. HPCN said it has sent out a warning email and several follow-up messages. Company managers can check their membership status at any time through the portal.

Customer and company request:
Thompson and other customers are hopeful that FortisBC will eventually pay out the rebates, as they signed up on the basis of trust in the information on the website and the promises made. Slater said the rebates should be paid in the spirit of the program, but called for transparency and better communication between the relevant agencies to prevent a repeat of this problem.

Source

Suggested Content

Latest Blog

Login first to rate.

Express your opinion

Login first to submit a comment.

No comments yet.