Lethbridge homes utilizing energy efficiency program
4,500 homes have applied to take part in EEA programming
More than 1,400 Lethbridge homes have made an application to take part in energy efficiency programming funded through Alberta’s Carbon Levy.
Energy Efficiency Alberta is the arms-length public agency working to reduce energy costs while increasing energy efficiency.
Monica Curtis was appointed Chief Executive Officer of EEA this past March and has been working on the design and implementation of energy efficiency, energy conservation and small-scale renewable energy programs and services.
About 4,500 homes in Lethbridge have already applied to take part in EEA programming, representing more than 11 per cent of all Lethbridge households.
“We’ve been absolutely delighted with the level of participation across the province,” said Curtis.
Of those 4,500, around 600 have been completed.
“There are already energysaving measures put in place,” said Curtis. “And already, those households have saved enough energy to support 19 Alberta households for a year. And enough water has been conserved to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools.
“It gives you a sense of scale, that when homeowners choose to participate in energy-efficiency programs, they really can save energy and water at a level that matters.”
Curtis said there has been a similar response from the business community, and for the contractor network developed to help facilitate the programs.
In Lethbridge, there are currently 19 retail businesses partnering with EEA in order to provide energy-efficient products in the community.
There are also more than 40 Lethbridge-based contractors who have applied to be part of the contractor network.
Twenty-two local businesses have completed efficiency upgrades to date.
“Those businesses are saving enough energy to power 26 Alberta households for a year,” said Curtis.
Across the province, about 1,200 businesses have gone through the application process.
EEA has divided programming into four main areas, including residential programming, a business program, and a solar program for residential and commercial properties.
Each program comes with its own challenges. Curtis said one of the most common challenges encountered in both the residential and commercial programs is deciding on where to get started, and just what needs to be done. Often, it can be difficult to identify which energy efficiency upgrades will be most effective.
This is where it pays to speak with local contractors before any decisions are made.
For contractors, ensuring they are familiar with the application process before they begin doing work is also an important step.
“There’s nothing more frustrating than submitting an application and you’ve missed something,” said Curtis.
While there have been some complaints of delays, Curtis said some of those delays may have been happening due to improperly-filed applications during the first few months of the program.
She said EEA takes time to work with applicants to ensure their applications are properly filed. In terms of payment, rebate cheques are making it where they are supposed to within established timelines.
Curtis said these delays in applications may fix themselves over time as people become more familiar with the process.
“There are always going to be people new to the program or who are using it for the first time, but we do have outreach managers available,” she said.
There is also call centre assistance available to help.
More than 150 professional jobs have been created as a result of this program. Based on the level of activity related to EEA rebate programs, Curtis estimates about 1,300 jobs in the private sector may be created.
“We really are beginning to see the growth of an energy efficiency services business in Alberta,” said Curtis. “We’re starting to see our job impact related to that.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the efficiency opportunities available are asked to visit efficiencyalberta.ca.
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