Who is eligible for the BC Hydro C-Op program?

Eligibility requirements for BC Hydro's Continuous Optimization program include: (1) Commercial or institutional building of at least 40,000 square feet, (2) Building owner or long-term leaseholder with operational authority, (3) Direct Digital Control (DDC) building automation system with remote access capability, (4) No major mechanical system replacements planned within 12 months, (5) Minimum one year of BC Hydro electricity billing history.

How much funding is available through the C-Op program?

BC Hydro's Continuous Optimization program provides funding up to $0.15 per square foot of building area. For a 100,000 square foot building, this represents up to $15,000 in program funding. FortisBC customers are also eligible for the program. Funding is released in milestones: 75% after the investigation report is completed, and the final 25% upon project completion.

What is the typical project duration for C-Op?

A complete Continuous Optimization engagement typically spans 10 to 14 months, divided into three phases: Investigation phase (4 to 6 months) for site assessment and opportunity identification, Implementation phase (5 to 6 months) for measure execution, and Completion phase (1 to 2 months) for verification and documentation. Confirm specific timelines with your BC Hydro or FortisBC representative.

Are energy savings guaranteed with C-Op?

No, energy savings are not guaranteed. The Continuous Optimization program is designed to identify operational improvements with minimal capital investment. Published industry aggregate data shows an average 5.7% energy cost reduction with a 1.7-year typical simple payback period. Actual results depend on building characteristics, occupancy patterns, and measure implementation.

What level of involvement is required from our operations team?

Building operations teams need to provide: access to BAS trend data where available, relevant building documentation (mechanical drawings, control sequences, TAB reports), a designated on-site contact for site visits and functional testing, and the ability to implement approved measures. Most facility managers report minimal time commitment as the service provider manages the technical workload.

Can buildings with limited BAS access participate in C-Op?

In many cases, yes. The investigation can be scoped around available data access, and requirements for additional monitoring can be identified where necessary. Remote BAS access is typically required for program eligibility—confirm specific requirements with BC Hydro or FortisBC.

How does SISA Energy utilize Virtual Submetering (VSM) for C-Op delivery?

SISA Energy delivers Continuous Optimization services using the Virtual Submetering (VSM) platform—a software-based technology for energy monitoring and analysis that requires no additional hardware installation. VSM provides equipment-level energy disaggregation from existing BAS data streams to identify operational inefficiencies, verify measure implementation, and support ongoing performance optimization throughout the C-Op engagement.

What is the difference between C-Op and a traditional energy audit?

Continuous Optimization (C-Op) differs from traditional energy audits in several ways: C-Op focuses on operational improvements and building automation optimization rather than equipment replacement, it includes hands-on implementation support rather than just recommendations, it uses continuous monitoring over 10-14 months rather than a point-in-time assessment, and it provides utility funding to cover service costs. Traditional energy audits typically identify capital improvement projects requiring significant investment.

BC Hydro + FortisBC Funded Program

Identify Building Operational Inefficiencies.
Implement Funded Improvements.

Outdated schedules. Suboptimal setpoints. Control sequences requiring adjustment. The Continuous Optimization program provides funding to identify these issues and support their resolution—without capital equipment investment.

Program Funding: Up to $0.15/sq ft

Minimum Building Size: 40,000 sq ft

Typical Duration: 10–14 months

What is Continuous Optimization (C-Op)?

Continuous Optimization (C-Op) is a utility-funded building recommissioning program offered by BC Hydro and FortisBC in British Columbia, Canada. The program provides funding up to $0.15 per square foot to identify and correct operational inefficiencies in commercial and institutional buildings over 40,000 square feet.

Unlike traditional energy audits that focus on capital equipment replacement, C-Op targets operational improvements—optimizing existing building automation systems (BAS), HVAC schedules, control sequences, and setpoints. This approach delivers energy savings with minimal capital investment, typically achieving a 1.7-year simple payback.

Program Funding

Up to $0.15/sq ft (75% at investigation report, 25% at completion)

Duration

10–14 months: Investigation (4-6 mo), Implementation (5-6 mo), Completion (1-2 mo)

Minimum Size

40,000 square feet (commercial or institutional)

Average Results

5.7% energy cost reduction (industry aggregate data)

Quick Eligibility Check

Building 40,000+ sq ft in British Columbia
DDC building automation system with remote access
BC Hydro or FortisBC electricity customer
No major renovations planned within 12 months

Learn about Virtual Submetering View all energy services

Trusted by utilities and organizations across BC

Alliance Member

C-Op Delivered

BC Hydro Alliance

of Energy Professionals

Preliminary Eligibility Assessment

Confirm the following requirements:

Building area is 40,000 square feet or greater

Building has DDC building automation with remote access capability

No major mechanical system replacement planned within 12 months

Require clarification on any criteria?

Operational Deficiencies

Common Investigation Findings

Issues frequently identified during C-Op assessments

Representative examples from commercial and institutional facilities in British Columbia

Economizer Malfunction

Mechanical cooling operating during favourable outdoor conditions (e.g., 10°C ambient)

Obsolete Scheduling

HVAC equipment operating during unoccupied periods based on outdated occupancy assumptions

Unstable VAV Control

Variable air volume boxes cycling continuously, reducing efficiency and occupant comfort

Simultaneous Heating and Cooling

Conflicting system operation within the same zone, resulting in unnecessary energy consumption

Disabled Reset Sequences

Supply air temperature fixed at constant setpoint regardless of actual load conditions

Persistent Manual Overrides

Temporary operator adjustments remaining active beyond their intended duration

Engagement Process

Project Initiation Workflow

A straightforward process to assess eligibility and initiate program participation.

Initial Consultation (15 minutes)

Confirm building eligibility and address preliminary questions

Documentation Review

Assess BAS access, building documentation, and utility consumption history

Application Preparation

Coordinate program enrollment aligned with BC Hydro/FortisBC requirements

Project Approval

Proceed only upon confirmation of program suitability for your facility

VSM Dashboard - Equipment-level energy visibility

Equipment-level energy consumption visualization

Sample output from an active C-Op engagement—no additional hardware installation required.

View additional VSM analytics examples

Program Structure

Three-Phase Delivery with Milestone-Based Funding

Funding is based on facility size, up to $0.15 per square foot.

Investigation

4-6 months

Site investigation, system review, and opportunity identification using VSM analytics.

75% funding released after report

Implementation

5-6 months

You choose which measures to proceed with. We support implementation.

Completion

1-2 months

Verification and documentation for program close-out.

Final 25% funding released

Service Delivery

VSM-Enabled Analysis and Implementation Support

SISA delivers Continuous Optimization services using our Virtual Submetering platform, providing equipment-level energy disaggregation and actionable operational recommendations.

SISA Deliverables

Energy consumption analysis and equipment-level disaggregation using VSM technology
Building automation system review and operational trend analysis
On-site investigation and functional performance verification
Identification and prioritization of operational efficiency measures
Detailed implementation recommendations with actionable specifications
Coordination support with building operators and service contractors
Post-implementation monitoring and performance verification
Program-compliant documentation for close-out requirements
Ongoing performance monitoring through VSM platform access

Energy consumption breakdown by equipment

Software-Based Monitoring

VSM utilizes existing BAS data streams—no additional sensor or metering hardware required.

View VSM Technical Documentation

Program Requirements

Full Eligibility Checklist

Core requirements

Commercial or institutional building of at least 40,000 square feet
Building owner or long-term leaseholder with operational authority
Direct digital control (DDC) building automation system with remote access capability
No major mechanical system replacements or renovations planned within 12 months
Minimum one year of BC Hydro electricity billing history
Availability of building documentation (mechanical drawings, control sequences, TAB reports)

Funding: Up to $0.15/sq ft through BC Hydro (FortisBC customers also eligible). We can help you confirm fit and prepare the application.

Published Program Performance Data (Industry Aggregate)

5.7%

Average energy cost reduction

1.7 yr

Typical simple payback period

Based on published program study data. Individual facility results will vary based on building characteristics and measure implementation.

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Begin Your Building Optimization Assessment

For buildings of 40,000 square feet or greater with remote BAS access, our team can confirm program eligibility and coordinate enrollment with minimal operational disruption.

If you are currently working with a Key Account Manager or Resource Energy Manager, please advise and we will coordinate accordingly.

BC Hydro and FortisBC program participation does not imply utility endorsement.

Identify Building Operational Inefficiencies.Implement Funded Improvements.