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Transforming BC's Homes: 10 Innovative Energy Efficiency Programs Presented by Peter Sundberg Executive Director City Green Solutions
Transforming BC's Homes:
10 Innovative Energy Efficiency Programs
Presented by
Peter Sundberg Executive Director City Green Solutions
BC Context For Residential Energy Efficiency
• Energy prices are rising
• Addressing climate change is an imperative
• Existing homes = 98% of housing in BC
• 50% of new energy supply could be achieved through conservation measures, including residential retrofits in existing homes
• Many homeowner benefits - energy savings, improved comfort and indoor air quality, increased home value
• Thousands of new high-quality green jobs and business opportunities are possible across the province
• = Opportunity
"Energy efficiency is the greatest form of new energy we have."
What Is This Presentation About?
• Innovative BC Residential Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programs
• Single Family Residential/Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs)
• Active or recently active programs
• Not a TOP 10 List
• List order does not represent relative program importance/success
• Brief program summary + list of innovative characteristics
• How collectively these programs provide a foundation for a vibrant
BC residential energy efficiency sector and a clean energy economy
#10: Super-Efficient New Construction Program (SENC)
– Deep Energy Retrofits
Image from kitshouse.org
Super-Efficient New Construction Program (SENC) – Deep Energy Retrofits A pilot project focusing on building and retrofitting super-efficient homes for low income housing. Funded by LiveSmartBC and Fortis BC. • Union Street EcoHeritage, Vancouver: Renovation of 2 heritage homes and urban
densification with 5 new construction units • Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, Vancouver: Renovation of 2 heritage homes for
neighbourhood house and childcare facility and construction of 15 new units of seniors housing
• Greater Victoria Social Housing Society, Saanich: Deep energy retrofit on 10 family townhouse units
Innovation: • Going For Deep Energy Savings: Beyond picking the low hanging energy savings fruit. • Advancing Knowledge
• Retrofitting for Efficiency and Affordability • Deep Energy Retrofits on Heritage Buildings • Deep Energy Retrofits for Diverse Housing Types and Populations (social housing,
heritage, new construction/infill/urban densification. For families, seniors, strata.) • Measuring Actual Energy Performance: Energy monitoring for 10 years • Building the Business Case for Deep Energy Retrofits
#9: Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP)
Image from bchydro.com
Energy Conservation Assistance Program Free home energy evaluations, advice, and energy efficient products and retrofits for qualifying low-income households (use more 8,000 kwh/year or 60Gj/year – equivalent to spending $750/year on electricity or gas bills). Innovation: • Engages Low Income Individuals in Energy Conservation • Utility Collaboration: BC Hydro and Fortis BC partner for delivery and funding • Streamlined Program Delivery:
• Single Application Process for BC Hydro and Fortis BC contributions. • ECAP Program Delivery Agents Provide Integrated Delivery: Coordination,
installation products and retrofits and personalized energy education.
www.bchydro.com
#8: Tap by Tap
Tap by Tap Free Water and Energy Saving Kits to residents in participating communities. Active in Okanagan-Similkameen, Kelowna and Colwood. Innovation: • Get people saving energy quickly then engaging in next energy savings steps,
Available to All Housing Types (SFR/MURBS), Owners and Renters • Partnerships: Fortis BC, CRD, Solar Colwood, Environment Canada,
Municipalities • Multiple Benefits -Saves Energy, Water and GHGs:
• Different stakeholders have different drivers which motivates participation.
www.tapbytap.ca
#7: Team Power Smart
Image from bchydro.com
BC Hydro Team Power Smart
Program that encourages people to join an energy conservation team.
Innovation:
• Asks for Commitment: 10% Energy Reduction
• Feedback: Online tools - in-depth energy info, ability to track progress and compare your home energy consumption with other homes.
• Creating a Culture of Conservation:
• Message Delivery: Recognizable personalities through multi-media approach and team member to team member.
• Rewards, Deals and Exclusive Benefits:
– $75 for 10% energy reduction
• Prompts: Reminders about reaching 10% target
www.bchydro.com
#6: RetrofitBC
RetrofitBC
Pilot project to help facilitate retrofits to up to 15 multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) in the City of Vancouver.
Innovation:
• Focus on MURBs: Typically underserved by government/utility programs, in spite of significant energy savings opportunities.
• Addressing Up-Front Retrofit Capital Cost Barrier: Utility bill savings to cover financing costs.
• Start to Finish Facilitation: Dedicated coordination of retrofit process (assessments, analysis, securing incentives and financing, and establishing contacts with contractors to complete upgrades).
• Market Transformation Incentives: Developing new incentives for innovative technologies with FortisBC.
• Multi-partner Collaboration: BCSEA, FRESCo, Vancouver, Vancity, BC Hydro, FortisBC
• Building the Business Case for MURB Energy Retrofits
www.bcsea.org
#5: Financing and Loan Programs
Financing and Loan Programs
Utility/municipal financing energy efficiency retrofit pilot projects.
• Nelson EcoSave Energy Retrofits Program
• Vancouver Home Energy Loan Program
• BC Hydro PowerSmart Home Loan Pilot Program (Colwood)
• Fortis BC Renovating for Efficiency Loan Program (South Okanagan)
Innovation:
• Pilot Projects: Different programs exploring the best methods to inform future financing programs.
• Addressing Up-Front Retrofit Capital Cost Barrier
• Optional Loan Transferability At Time of Sale (BC Hydro and Fortis BC Programs)
• Integrated with LiveSmartBC Energy Assessment (house-as-a-system approach)
• Fortis BC Program -Integrated Offer for Electricity and Gas.
• Foundation for Province Wide Financing Program (with possibility to branch out -- rentals, stratas and businesses)
#4: Product and Equipment Standards
Product and Equipment Standards
BC has implemented multi-year market transformation strategies for windows, doors, furnaces, water heaters, lighting, televisions and “1 watt standby loss” electronics leading to standards regulated under the provincial Energy Efficiency Act.
Innovation:
• Supports “5 A’s” of Market Transformation (awareness, acceptance, availability, affordability, accessibility): Energy efficiency the norm for these products.
• Industry Capacity Building:
• Gov’t “capacity building coordinator” assisted over 50 BC based window manufactures to introduce ENERGY STAR products.
• 50% cost (to cap amount) for independent product certification testing.
• Utility Cooperation: DSM regulation provides a financial mechanism to promote direct utility involvement in advancing regulations.
• Minimizing Cost of Achieving Energy Efficiency: For consumers, provinces, utilities
Energy Efficiency Act
#3: Solar Colwood
Solar Colwood
A demonstration of a whole community moving towards energy conservation and renewable clean energy.
Innovation:
• Bold Inspirational Goal: 1000 homes and businesses (1/6 of buildings).
• Whole Home/Whole Community Program: Something for everyone to reduce energy consumption (behavioural change, energy efficiency retrofits, electric vehicles, renewable energy).
• Start to Finish Retrofit Facilitation and Support
• Community Energy Champions: Telling the story about energy conservation
• Market Transformation: Incentives and technical support to accelerate market adoption of solar hot water, ductless heat pumps and whole home retrofits.
• Building Industry Capacity: Contractor training, registering installers, quality assured installations.
• Financing: Integration with BC Hydro Home Loan Pilot Program.
• Active School and Student Participation: Research, information sharing, program monitoring and technical training in collaboration with Royal Roads University, Camosun College and Dunsmuir Middle School.
• Municipal Leadership: Colwood branded as a “Green Learning Community”.
• Catalyst for Investment and Innovation: Over $12 million invested into the community for energy savings projects.
www.solarcolwood.ca
#2: Municipal Energy Engagement Programs
Municipal Energy Engagement Programs
• Nelson EcoSave Energy Retrofit Program: Rebates, engagement, dedicated coordinator, financing, utility/municipality delivery
• District of Saanich Green Home Building Rebate Program: Building permit rebates, free green building consultation, engagement
• Rossland Energy Diet: Assessment rebates, financing, dedicated coordinator, engagement, connecting to contractors
• Solar Colwood: (as in #3) • Regional District of Nanaimo: Assessment rebates • City of Vancouver: Home Energy Loan Program: Financing, engagement • NorthShore: Cool Neighbourhoods: Engagement, energy assessment
discounts, dedicated coordinator • T'Sou-ke Nation Solar Community: Solar Hot Water, broad engagement • Comox Valley Regional District Home Energy Incentive Program: Assessment
rebates
Innovation: • Community Based Approach: Different communities, programs and solutions. • Leveraging Existing Programs (LiveSmartBC EIP)
#1: LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program
LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program (LSBC EIP) Energy assessments subsidies and up to $7000 in incentives for energy efficiency upgrades to homes Innovation: A Made in BC Program (Part One) • One Stop Shop: To access info and incentives to lower energy bills and reduce
GHGs. • Partnerships: All levels gov’t, utilities, private sector and non profit sector. • Leveraged Funding: Co-Funding = higher incentives, less paperwork and increased
cost effectiveness • Spring Board and Enabler for Municipal and Financing Programs • House-as-a-System-Approach: Prioritizing and optimizing impact of homeowner
investment – air tightness and building envelope improvements can reduce the size and cost of the heating system.
• Keeps Life Affordable for Families: Helps families make smart energy retrofit investments in their homes to save energy and lower their energy bills.
• Education and Awareness Building in the Home: 100,000 people in majority of communities across the province.
• Economic Stimulus $77.5 million incentives – stimulating $700 to $775 million in economic activity
• Job Creation: Creating between 7000 and 11,500 person years of employment.
LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program (LSBC EIP) Innovation: A Made in BC Program (Part Two) Market Transformation:
• Products: Only incentivizing highest efficiency products accelerates adoption of best in class products (reduces free ridership rate)
• Industry: Strengthens capacity of industry through qualified installer grant for heating systems.
• Building Envelope: Incentives emphasize the building envelope first (insulation, windows, doors, air sealing) – investment home structure.
• New Industry: Building demand for a new residential air sealing industry • Financing: LSBC energy assessment regulated as part of new financing
programs • Encourages Deeper Retrofits: LSBC Champion Bonus rebate for more than 5
upgrades • Heritage Retrofits: LSBC collaboration with Heritage Branch for solutions and
training to maximizing energy efficiency of heritage homes • Building Awareness of Home Energy Label: Foundation for energy labelling at
the time of sale programs and potential future labelling regulations
Collectively These 10 Programs Represent
• Government Leadership (provincial and municipal) • Complementary Public Policy and Regulations • Building Energy Labelling • Development of Innovative Financing • Partnership and Collaboration (Government, Utilities,
Private and Non-Profit Sector) • MURB Programs • Energy Education, Training and Awareness Building • Low Income/Affordable & Energy Efficient Housing • Deep Energy Retrofits (reaching above low hanging fruit) • First Step Energy Engagement Programs • Market Transformation – Products, Industry, Approach…
The Blueprint moving forward…
MORE of the innovative programs outlined above.
9 Steps on the Path Forward Energy Conservation Market Transformation Strategy and Vision for BC
Stable, Supportive and Progressive Government Policies: Including programs, incentives, regulation, standards and building codes that address barriers, build awareness and enable investment.
Ongoing support for the LSBC Efficiency Incentive Program Rebates
Evolution of (Easy to Access and Low Cost) Financing Programs
Increase Collaboration, Partnerships and Integration of Program Delivery: Government, utilities, and industry stakeholders
Increase Education, Training and Awareness Building:
• Make energy use more transparent for all
• Energy education in the home
• Technical training and education
• Grow the culture of energy conservation
Go Deeper and Higher Than Low Hanging Fruit
Advance Energy Benchmarking and Labelling: You can’t manage what you don’t measure.
Innovation, Entrepreneurial Thinking and Private Sector Investment: Increasing energy prices + large number of inefficient existing residential buildings = opportunities for smarter use of energy + job creation + new technology development and investment.
