The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has announce that the Regional Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) – Home Renovation is now open for registration.
The Regional Energy Efficiency Program is a partnership with all RDCK member municipalities, local utilities—BC Hydro, FortisBC and Nelson Hydro—Community Energy Association (CEA), and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). A grant from the FCM’s Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) provides 71% of the funding for REEP.
The program offers two streams: Home Renovation and New Home. The energy efficient home renovation stream provides incentives that support energy audits and access to rebates. The energy efficient new-home education stream provides training and access to information for all new home builders.
The program offers environmental and social benefits.
- · Environmental benefits: The Home Renovation program is designed to reduce 309 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year (equivalent to the GHG emissions of 66 passenger vehicles driven for one year). The New Home program will encourage a standard of construction, outlined in the BC Step Code that will produce 1.03 tonnes of CO2e per year (equivalent to the emissions of 440 liters of gasoline) less per home than a home built to the prescriptive path of the BC Building Code.
- · Social benefits: The program makes energy efficiency accessible first by reducing the cost of EnerGuide home energy evaluations, second by installing free energy efficiency products (LEDs, Water Efficient Shower Heads and Taps) and third by supporting residents’ participation in Fortis and BCHydro’s income qualified Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP).
“The Regional Energy Efficiency Program supports the RDCK’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of life for residents across the RDCK,” said Aimee Watson, Chair of the RDCK Board of Directors. “We are pleased to work with our partners in this program to make it more affordable for residents to make energy efficiency renovations to their homes through subsidized evaluations and incentives.”
Residents of the RDCK can access a subsidized EnerGuide home energy evaluation to learn how to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions by completing energy efficient upgrades. Following the EnerGuide home energy evaluation, residents will be able to access current rebate offers, financing options, a local contractor list and energy coaching. The program can also benefit renters and those who are low-income.
Learn more about the program, ask questions, meet local contractors, and connect with financial partners to discuss loan options for energy upgrades in Creston on May 2, 2019 at the Creston and District Community Complex and in Yahk at the Yahk/Kingsgate Community Hall on June 17, 2019.
To register, visit www.rdck.ca/reep for information and to access an online registration form, or contact Carmen Proctor, Residential Energy Efficiency Program – Home Renovation Program Manager by phone 250-352-8278 or email ecosave@nelson.ca.