About Us

Hearthmakers Energy Co-operative is a Kingston-based enterprising non-profit organization that provides services and programs to improve the environmental sustainability of Eastern Ontario homes, businesses and communities. Current programs focus on energy efficiency, energy conservation and groundwater protection. Hearthmakers is a founding member of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and a full member of Green Communities Canada.

November 9, 2009, marked the 10th anniversary of Hearthmakers delivering programs in the community. During that time the co-op has played an important role in reducing eastern Ontario’s environmental footprint. A few highlights:

• ecoENERGY: As a sub-licensee of Green Communities Canada, Hearthmakers has performed over 4000 residential energy evaluations in eastern Ontario and provided solutions for homeowners to reduce their energy consumption, under the current ecoENERGY program, as well as the previous EnerGuide for Houses program. Our residential clients have received over $2.5 million in federal and provincial government grants to offset the costs of the retrofits, with the local economy benefiting from the estimated $6 million being spent on upgrades. These retrofits also reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region by 4000 tonnes per year.
• Well Aware: Through delivery of the provincially funded Well Aware program, Hearthmakers has educated hundreds of local rural homeowners, through a combination of public outreach events and site visits, on how to manage their wells, and protect the groundwater.
• Organized / participated in over 100 public outreach events focusing on environmental issues, reaching as estimated 10,000 residents.
• Installed 50 residential solar hot water systems.
• Partnered with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to promote and prepare a feasibility report regarding wind power on Wolfe Island