Energy Efficiency Upgrade Cheques Start Arriving Locally

Bill Dobson of Kingston started off the new year with a rare gift from the federal government — a cheque for $943. Bill and his wife Nancy were the first homeowners in the region to receive a grant for making their home more energy efficient from the recently launched EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive (EHRI) service. "The cheque was a big help," said Dobson.

Based on Natural Resources Canada's five-year-old residential energy efficiency evaluation service, EnerGuide for Houses, the EHRI s's goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in order to help Canada meet its Kyoto targets. Locally, the service is delivered by Hearthmakers Energy Cooperative.

The EnerGuide for Houses service is a two-hour home analysis that evaluates the energy profile of a home and gives homeowners detailed recommendations on how to reduce energy use. A certified energy advisor visits the home equipped with sophisticated measurement tools, including a blower door to test for air leaks. After all the information is collected, including number of air exchanges per hour, insulation levels, heating system efficiency, etc., the advisor creates a computer-generated report analyzing home energy use and detailing potential improvements. The report also includes the official EnerGuide for Houses rating from 1 to 100.

To qualify for a grant, the homeowner must have the home rated before upgrades are done, and once again after they are completed. The average grant is $680. Hearthmakers charges $175 for the service, which includes both evaluations. Dobson obtained his grant by upgrading insulation and draft proofing. "There was no insulation in the walls or the attic. The grant offset part of the cost of blowing in cellulose insulation. With the recent cold weather, we really notice the improved comfort level in the house. It's like night and day," said Dobson.

According to Steve Walker, Program Manager for Hearthmakers, the interest in the service has been impressive: "From day-one the phone has been ringing non-stop. We are thrilled with the response. We've had to hire three more advisors to keep up with demand."

Timing has also been a key factor. Walker notes, "There's been a lot of focus on electricity rates going higher, but even more alarming are natural gas prices. They have risen 50% over last winter. In addition to helping lower energy bills, upgrading older houses increases the value and makes the home more comfortable by reducing drafts and cold spots. The environment also wins. Getting a grant is just a bonus."

Local contractors are also expected to benefit. "We can expect a home-renovation, energy-efficiency boom," says Laurie Westaway, Director of Home Performance with Green Communities Canada, a national non-profit group that promotes energy efficiency and works alongside Hearthmakers.

The incentive service is based on a pilot project run by the Green Community Association in Peterborough and Toronto, under which 331 homes have been upgraded since 1998. Households participating in that pilot project achieved an average heating-bill saving of 23%.

Hearthmakers Energy Cooperative is a cooperatively owned and community-based organization that works to provide renewable energy and environmental services and products to members in the Southeastern Ontario region, including the counties of Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington, Frontenac, and Leeds and Grenville. Hearthmakers Energy Cooperative was incorporated as a non-profit cooperative in November of 1999