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Q: Who wants free money? A: Who doesn't!?
by Andrew Bennett on 28 Sep 2011
The Sustainability Commission's Energy Task Force (ETF) has found a way to make it happen, forging a partnership between Fortis BC, The Nelson & District Credit Union, and the City of Rossland to help a select few homeowners get on board with provincial, federal, and Fortis rebates for energy-saving renovations. Together, they're putting Rossland on an "Energy Diet."
"Simple is the key word," said Steve Ash of the Energy Task Force at a meeting to iron out some wrinkles before the big media shindig on Oct. 3 and the program sign-up meeting for homeowners on Oct. 11.
Each of 250 lucky Rossland homeowners will get a free, no strings attached energy assessment. Contracted professionals will spend six weeks touring homes in Rossland, giving each one a three hour inspection. Then they'll come back with a report that outlines energy renovations available to the homeowner, spelling out exactly which rebates are available and how many grant dollars are up for grabs.
The point here, Ash said, is that a homeowner stumbling alone into the tangled world of energy rebates is likely to get tied in knots. That's exactly the mess that Fortis and the ETF have sorted out for us in this one-of-a-kind pilot program. "Homeowners don't have to understand what gets what grant," Ash said, "it's all there in one place. Simple."
After the assessment, a homeowner could decide to do nothing at all — it's no matter. Or they could say, "Hey, look at how much free money they'll give me for new windows and doors, to finally insulate those basement gaps, to change my lights, and to install a heat pump. I love free money!"
Let's face it, that's likely most of us in this town. The average home costs a bundle to heat, whether that's cords of wood, watts in wires, or gas in the line. Rosslanders, the Sustainability Commission tells us, use 40 per cent more energy than the average BC householder — and that's still a pretty terrible benchmark, worldwide. In fact, it's exactly our town's red hot energy bill that convinced Fortis to try this new program here first.
For the homeowner that goes for the renos, the program gets better still. After deciding which changes to make, the NDCU has come on board with "bridge financing," fronting the cash that the homeowner will eventually get back from the government but will have to wait for…and wait…and wait.
There's only one catch: The feds and province require that renovations be finished before the rebate programs come to an end. The end dates for different renos will all be clearly spelled out in the assessment, but keep in mind that the federal program comes to a close on Mar. 31, 2012. Yes, that's right, next spring.
Don't forget, this is the old Liberal program that the Conservatives killed in favour of tar sands subsidies, and then resurrected after much cajoling and arm-twisting. Making it easy on you is the priority for Fortis BC and the Sustainability Commission, not the feds!
It's not the end of the world if renovations drag on, however. In that case the homeowner will still get most of the rebate. And plenty of rebates stretch into 2013. In any case, Fortis BC is already planning a big barbecue in April, 2013, to get all the program participants together for a party to celebrate a winter of successful renos.
There's no rules about how the work gets done: Do it yourself — no rebates on your time, mind you — or hire a contractor. In either case, if you need cash flow to get the project done, the NDCU is there to help again. In one seamless operation along with the bridge financing, they're offering loans.
The loans will be specially calculated so that energy savings will completely pay off the loan within five years. For example, let's say you do some renovations that reduce your monthly energy bill by $20. The loan will come in with a lower monthly payment, say $12, and the homeowner will still save $8 each month and pay off the loan within five years.
Incredible. To learn more, stay tuned. We're all over this like an energy guzzlin' miner's shack on a compact fluorescent lightbulb.
Comments
Energy Diet tonight
The introductory sessions for the Energy Diet take place tonight at 5pm adn 7pm. Show up for your free money! And chance to save the planet!
October 11th Sign up
Meeting info
This just in from Fortis BC:
"Rossland is a “fat” energy town, using about 36 per cent more electricity than the average B.C. home. It’s time for an eco-vention.
FortisBC wants to help you, your friends and neighbours get on the right track and start slimming down your energy bill. Sign up to participate in the energy diet and get a free home energy assessment* and up to $12,000 in financial rebates on energy efficient home upgrades. Small businesses can also take part with a free energy efficient lighting upgrade worth up to $5,500.
Find out more and register for the energy diet at the following information session:
When:
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Presentations at 5 p.m and 7 p.m.
Where:
Rossland Miners’ Hall – 1765 Columbia Ave
If you can’t attend the meeting, you can still get all the information you need and register online until October 28, 2011. Visit fortisbc.com/energydiet or call 1-866-436-7847 to learn more."
Who do we contact
More info to come shortly,
More info to come shortly, Paul. I'm in the same boat as you and will be there lining up with everyone else!