City Green Solutions Helps Make Energy Efficiency Affordable

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:22:48 -0400

City Green Solutions Helps Make Energy Efficiency Affordable

City Green Solutions is launching the Affordable Warmth BC service -- a program that provides free information and support to the affordable housing sector to access energy efficiency grants and rebates.

"Housing in BC is expensive, and many people are living in homes that are costly to keep warm. Energy efficiency upgrades can help maintain housing affordability by shrinking energy bills," says Britt Karlstrom, Affordable Warmth Program Coordinator. "We're excited that our Affordable Warmth BC service now helps connect people to relevant funding sources for energy saving projects."

In BC, there are over 100 programs available to help cover the cost of energy efficiency upgrades for buildings. Affordable Warmth BC is the only service that provides program descriptions, eligibility criteria and links to application forms in one place. Currently in BC there are:

ï¿½ 18 toilet rebate programs

ï¿½ 21 wood stove exchange programs

ï¿½ 24 rebate programs through utilities

ï¿½ 30 federal government incentive programs

ï¿½ 55 local government incentive programs

ï¿½ 8 programs specifically for First Nation's housing energy efficiency initiatives

Renters, homeowners, social housing providers, and municipal governments seeking to reduce retrofit costs, save money on energy bills, or meet climate change goals can visit www.affordablewarmth.ca or call 1.866.381.9995 x 108 for comprehensive information about programs that help pay for energy saving upgrades and energy efficient construction for affordable housing.

"This is a valuable resource for non-profit housing providers and others in the community who own or operate housing and are seeking affordable ways to increase their energy efficiency," said Natasha Jategaonkar, Research Director at BC Non-Profit Housing Association. "By collating all of the existing programs and creating a convenient search tool, the AWBC website will help ensure that non-profit housing providers are able to access all available resources efficiently and effectively."

For more information, please contact:

Britt Karlstrom, Affordable Warmth BC Program Coordinator, 1.866.381.9995 x 108, environment@citygreen.ca

Peter Sundberg, Executive Director, 1.866.381.9995 x 102, manager@citygreen.ca

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City Green Solutions Helps Make Energy Efficiency Affordable