LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentives Increased to Bring the Benefits Home

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2011

Homeowners across the province once again have access to thousands of dollars in LiveSmart BC grants for energy efficiency improvements to their homes.

“Programs like LiveSmart BC stimulate job creation across the province and help people invest in the energy efficiency of their homes – which increases home comfort, reduces energy bills, improves home re-sale value, and is good for the environment,” says Peter Sundberg, Executive Director of City Green Solutions, a non-profit organization providing energy assessments for the LiveSmart BC program.

“Through this program, homeowners will access grants for insulation, high efficiency heating systems, ENERGY STAR windows and doors, air sealing and more,” explains Sundberg, “Homeowners also have their home energy questions answered by a knowledgeable Energy Advisor and receive a customized energy-saving upgrade plan so they know the best way to invest their home upgrade dollars.” In addition to the LiveSmart BC incentives, there are mortgage loan rebates and financing options available to assist homeowners undertake home energy upgrades.

The LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive program is expected to deliver:

• An average of 22% energy savings per home,
• An average reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 2.5 tonnes per year per home,
• Reduced pollution and improved local and regional air quality,
• Concrete and quantifiable progress towards meeting BC’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals,
• Cost effective action towards achieving the BC Energy Plan,
• Thousands of jobs in communities across the province, and
• 40,000 BC homes that are more affordable to operate.

“Residential energy efficiency incentive programs rejuvenate our existing housing stock, protect BC families’ most important investment, and stimulate local economies across the province,” says Sundberg. “We encourage the next federal government to re-instate the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes grants in order to join the Province of BC in taking a leadership role in advancing energy efficiency.”

Homeowners wishing to access grants can contact City Green to have a home energy assessment. Advisors conduct an on-site home energy assessment before and after upgrades, provide a customized energy efficiency report and handle the paperwork for grants on the homeowner’s behalf. Grants for the new LiveSmart BC program are provided through a funding partnership between the Province of BC, BC Hydro, and Fortis BC.

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Media Contact:
Peter Sundberg,
Executive Director, City Green Solutions
1.866.381.9995 x.102
manager[at]citygreen.ca