Energy efficient neighbourhood is coming to Charlottetown

One Charlottetown neighbourhood will be getting an efficiency makeover.

The City of Charlottetown and efficiencyP.E.I. have partnered to roll out a neighbourhood energy-saving project.

Residents in one specially selected Charlottetown neighbourhood will receive a letter inviting them to participate in the program.

Residents who choose to participate will receive a free energy audit, some small scale efficiency upgrades for their home and a one-on-one consultation with an energy consultant to review options for improving the efficiency of their home and reducing their energy costs.

The pilot project is called Better Homes Neighbourhood Energy Project (BHNEP).

“Reducing energy consumption and creating a greener community is one of the City’s goals,” said Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown.

“It is important for us to put the tools and resources in place and offer projects like this that bring residents together around some common sustainability goals.”

Participants will be asked to share pre-and post-utility data, so others can see the impacts of energy-efficiency changes at the household and neighbourhood levels.

“We wanted to engage residents on a neighbourhood level for the added positive impacts that community building can have on individuals and the community as a whole,” said Coun. Terry MacLeod, chairman of the city’s environment and sustainability committee.

“We have been working diligently to meet the goals and targets in the Community Energy Plan.”

Following the completion of this pilot program, the City of Charlottetown and efficiencyPEI will review the data and discuss ideas for a future program with the potential for expansion into other areas.

“Helping Islanders to make their homes more comfortable and affordable is important,” said Mike Proud, senior manager at efficiencyP.E.I.

“Energy efficiency upgrades can help achieve both of these things while having a positive impact on the environment — one neighbourhood at a time.”

For more information contact Sustainability at 902566-5548.