By / Jessica Kirby • Photo / iStock / rgaydos
Fortis BC has launched its “save money and energy by keeping the heat in” rebate program, which offers monetary rebates for building owners that insulate pipes. In garnering support for the program, Fortis BC’s campaign strives to educate building owners on the significant source of energy waste presented by uninsulated or under-insulated pipes. It promotes insulation as a way building owners can save on energy costs and keep steam pressure at correct levels. Anyone using natural gas for hot water and steam production can take advantage of the rebates on pipe and tank insulation.
The campaign targets hot water steam pipes and tanks made of metals or plastics with poor heat capacity. For every 100 feet of uninsulated pipe, buildings owners could be losing at least $1,500 in energy costs annually because of heat loss, according to Fortis BC’s rebate literature.
FortisBC identifies the importance of the thermal barrier produced by insulation on hot water and steam pipes, and suggests correctly insulating pipes and tanks can reduce heat loss by 50 per cent, which also reduces the amount of natural gas required to heat hot water and create steam.
Estimated energy cost of uninsulated 100 PSI steam pipe 1
| Diameter of steel pipe (inches) | Annual heat loss per 100 feet of pipe in gigajoules (GJ) | Estimated annual natural gas cost |
| 1 | 250 | $1,500 |
| 2 | 425 | $2,500 |
| 4 | 750 | $4,400 |
| 8 | 1,355 | $8,000 |
| 12 | 1,940 | $11,400 |
1 Engineering calculation using enthalpy tables based on an industrial boiler efficiency of 85 per cent producing 100 PSI dry steam (per 100 feet of pipe) and an industrial natural gas rate of $5/gigajoule (FortisBC Mainland service area).
FortisBC is recommending visual facilities audits to help determine the high-priority piping and tanks requiring insulation. Thermal imaging is another option for determining the temperature along pipes or tanks and to help assess whether insulation is sufficient or is missing, damaged, or insufficient.
Available Rebates
| Type | Rebate2 | Description |
| Pipe insulation | $4 per lineal foot | For installing insulation on hot liquid, water, or steam pipes at least 1/2” diameter |
| Tank insulation | $6 per square foot | For installing insulation on a tank containing a solution or liquid with a temperature between 49 and 77ºC (120 and 170ºF) |
| Tank insulation | $6 to $9 per square foot | For installing insulation on a tank containing a solution or liquid with a temperature between 77º and 93ºC (170 and 200ºF) |
2Conditions apply.
Products must meet the following qualifying criteria:
- Insulation must be at least 1˝ thick.
- Insulation for pipes must be made of elastomeric foam rubber, polyethylene foam, UV-resistant polyethylene foam, mineral wool, fibreglass or rigid polyurethane foam.
- Tank insulation must be foam, mineral wool or fibreglass.
- Insulation must be installed on pipes and/or tanks that are connected to primarily natural gas-fired equipment for transferring heat to the solution or liquid. Up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the hot water and steam system can be multi-fuel or non-natural gas-fired. Systems not meeting this criteria may still be eligible, but they will be subject to additional analysis and require our pre-approval.
Replacement of damaged (existing) insulation and tanks with pre-existing insulation are not eligible for rebates.
Other criteria and eligibility requirements apply. See the terms and conditions for more details.
How to apply
- Review the terms and conditions at fortisbc.com/pipeandtank.
- Complete the rebate application form at fortisbc.com/pipeandtank. Your rebate application must include a copy of a paid invoice showing product type, quantity, make, model number and total installed cost (before tax).
- Email the completed and signed application form and scanned copies of supporting invoices to industrialrebates@fortisbc.com.
- Once approved, you should receive your rebate in six to eight weeks.
Point-of-sale rebates may be available from participating industrial commercial partners. For more information, contact industrialrebates@fortisbc.com.
Opportunities for Contractors
TIAC contractors, distributors, and manufacturers are in a good position to make building owners aware of these rebates and how they are distributed. Questions about how to share this information or for more details call reach out to TIAC at steve.clayman@tiac.ca .
To learn more about energy-efficiency rebates and incentives for industrial facilities, contact the FortisBC key
account manager for your sector at fortisbc.com/KAM or email industrialrebates@fortisbc.com. ▪