RDKB HomeSmart launches new guide
By RDKB
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) has launched a new RDKB HomeSmart Guide to help residents understand how energy efficiency and resilient upgrades can work together to improve comfort, lower energy costs, and prepare homes for climate impacts.
RDKB Board Chair Andy Morel highlighted the value of the program and guide, saying, “The RDKB HomeSmart program, and this new guide are valuable resources for our communities. They empower residents to make informed decisions about energy efficiency and climate resilience, supporting the RDKB Climate Action Plan, as we all work toward a safer, more sustainable future.”
Freya Phillips, RDKB’s Senior Energy Specialist, explains the purpose of the guide: “Currently, there is no other homeowner resource that combines energy efficiency and resiliency measures tailored to our specific climate hazards in the RDKB, such as wildfires, drought, extreme weather and floods. Whether you’re considering a renovation or simply looking to understand the benefits of a particular upgrade, this guide offers valuable support for creating a healthier, more comfortable and resilient home.”
“This is a great visual and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in how our region’s climatic hazards can impact their home’s comfort and safety” adds Raven Atherton, RDKB’s Retrofit Program Coordinator. “Whether you’re a homeowner, tenant, or renovation contractor, if you’re looking to make home improvements, you’ll want to take a look,” she adds.
The launch of the RDKB HomeSmart Guide coincides with the RDKB HomeSmart program’s first anniversary. To celebrate, one RDKB resident will have the chance to win a pre-upgrade EnerGuide assessment which provides valuable insights into impactful home upgrades to improve energy efficiency and a post-upgrade EnerGuide assessment which measures the energy savings. The combined prize is valued at around $1,000, and provided courtesy of FortisBC.
To enter the ‘Read to Win’ RDKB HomeSmart Challenge, RDKB residents need to visit homesmart.rdkb.com to read the guide, answer three questions about the guide, and submit their entry by January 31, 2025. The contest is open to both new and current participants who have signed up to the RDKB HomeSmart program. It excludes residents within the city limits of Rossland who have a separate program, Retrofit Assist.
The RDKB HomeSmart Guide organizes information into key areas: the building envelope, heating and cooling, interior, and exterior. Adopting the House As A System Approach, it also covers essential maintenance and preparedness tips.
To access the guide, register for the RDKB HomeSmart program, and enter the Read to Win’ RDKB HomeSmart Challenge, visit http://homesmart.rdkb.com.
The RDKB HomeSmart program is supported by The Columbia Basin Trust, Fortis BC and The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.
