Task Force for a Resilient Recovery report “Bridge to the Future” calls for bold action

The Task Force for a Resilient Recovery released its report “Bridge to the Future” today, September 16th, 2020. The Report calls for 5 bold moves, supported by $55.4 billion in investments, to kickstart Canada’s long-term economic recovery from COVID-19. the energy efficiency industry is ready and excited to play a role in a green economic recovery that will foster job creation, ensures Canada remains competitive, and accelerates towards a net-zero economy.

You can read the full report here: https://www.recoverytaskforce.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TFRR-Final-Report_EN.pdf

EfficiencyOne CEO Stephen MacDonald recognized at one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs second year in a row

Congratulations to E1 CEO, Stephen MacDonald who was recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs at a virtual gala hosted by Atlantic Business Magazine on September 15^th.This is the second year in a row that Steve has been recognized. The awards recognize corporate leadership excellence where leaders have demonstrated organizational growth, industry leadership and community involvement. You can learn more about Steve, along will the other award recipients, in Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEO issue, available on newsstands today, as well as on the Top 50 Website.

HomeWarming program adapts criteria to help even more Nova Scotians

An additional 13,000 Nova Scotians living on lower incomes will now qualify to receive free energy efficient upgrades to help make their homes more comfortable throughout the year.

The HomeWarming program offers free energy assessments and home upgrades to eligible Nova Scotians, such as insulation and draft-proofing. Efficiency Nova Scotia, who administers HomeWarming on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power, recently increased the maximum annual income to qualify for the program.

“With the impacts of COVID-19, more people are struggling and more people are at home, making it more important than ever to be able to help people save money and feel more comfortable in their homes,” says Stephen MacDonald, CEO, EfficiencyOne. “This increase ensures that more program funds directly upgrade the homes of Nova Scotians who need financial support to benefit from energy efficiency.”

“Expanding energy efficiency programs to more Nova Scotians also helps many small businesses during these difficult times,” said Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette. “One of the ways we will weather the economic storm created by COVID-19 is by supporting green jobs and saving money for families who need it the most.”

“Since the program was launched in 2015, HomeWarming has been Nova Scotia Power’s single largest focus for community giving and investment, providing assistance to more than 2,300 homes,” says Mark Sidebottom, Chief Operating Officer of Nova Scotia Power. “The opportunity to provide access to a greater number of customers is a great step forward in increasing efficiency and cost savings for our customers who need it most.

The changes to the HomeWarming eligibility criteria, which went into effect April 17, increases the maximum annual incomes that qualify a household for the program. A one-person home went from a net income of $22,324 to $25,673; a household with 2-4 people from $41,481 to $47,703; and a household with 5 or more people from $59,076 to $67,937.

Efficiency Nova Scotia leads the country in energy efficiency programs and is saving low income families more than $35 million in lifetime energy costs. The average HomeWarming participant can expect to see on average $750 in annual energy savings. To-date the HomeWarming program has helped over 10,000 Nova Scotia households.

Due to restrictions in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Efficiency Nova Scotia suspended home energy efficiency assessments and upgrades, including HomeWarming. During that time Efficiency Nova Scotia worked with Nova Scotia Power and the Nova Scotia Government to redirect $3 million from the HomeWarming Program to address urgent needs during the pandemic.

“The funding supported a number of organizations across the province to help families and individuals with necessities like food and shelter and support to help people stay connected,” says MacDonald. “In such uncertain times for so many Nova Scotians repurposing the HomeWarming funds allowed us to continue to help Nova Scotians who are most in need.” The HomeWarming program resumed in mid-June with increased safety protocols and health measures in place to keep each other safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. “It is great to be able to be back in people’s homes again and the safety of our customers, partners and employees remains our top priority.”

HomeWarming is administered by Efficiency Nova Scotia and provides free energy efficiency upgrades like insulation and draft-proofing to income-qualified homeowners. HomeWarming is supported by the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power.

EfficiencyOne is a leader in the design and delivery of resource efficiency programs and services for homes, businesses, and large industrial customers. To date, EfficiencyOne, operating in Nova Scotia as Efficiency Nova Scotia, has helped over 400,000 program participants and achieved more than $1 billion in energy savings, avoiding nearly 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Learn more at www.efficiencyns.ca.

For more information, contact:
Janet Tobin, Communications Lead
EfficiencyOne
jtobin@efficiencyns.ca
902-470-3652

Pilot project helping homes and businesses in Kentville reduce demand while increasing benefits

Klondike Pilot, named for the substation that delivers electricity to the over 3,800 homes and businesses in and around the Kentville area, is helping homes and businesses reduce demand for electricity while saving money and making their homes more efficient.

Demand is the rate at which electricity is used (typically measured in kilowatts (kW)) and peak demand is the time when consumer demand for that electricity is at its highest. Finding ways to reduce the demand on an electrical system is called demand reduction.

Simply put, small changes can make big impacts on the capacity of the electrical grid, maintain cost-effectiveness of electricity rates, and help Nova Scotia meet its environmental sustainability goals.

This demand reduction pilot is aimed at reducing peak demand, as well as saving energy and money for homes and businesses that are located within the pilot area.

Participants in the pilot will benefit from special limited time incentives that will save money on utility bills and create more comfortable atmosphere thanks to high quality energy efficient products. Participants can access incentives on upgrades such as heat pumps, lighting measures, water heaters, and electric thermal storage units.

Do you live or operate a business in the Kentville area? Find out if you are eligible to participate.

Atlantic Compassion Fund helps Nova Scotians benefit from redirected HomeWarming funds

Over these past few months supporting Nova Scotians, the communities we serve and assisting those most in need has never been more important, that is why, Nova Scotia Power, EfficiencyOne and the Nova Scotia Government redirected $3 million from the HomeWarming Program to address urgent needs during the pandemic.

$1 million of this funding went to the United Way Atlantic Compassion Fund to help vulnerable families and youth in Nova Scotia. Over 190 charitable organizations in communities across Nova Scotia have benefited from the Atlantic Compassion Fund. A huge thanks to the United Way Halifax for all of their work and dedication in or communities every day and especially during this crisis.

Efficiency Expert Barry Walker on CBC Maritime Noon

Our resident Energy Expert Barry Walker joined Bob Murphy on CBC Mainstreet to share energy efficiency tips and take calls from folks throughout the Maritimes. Listen to his full segment.

Energy Efficiency’s Role in a Green Economic Recovery

As Nova Scotia, and Canada, continues to transition to a low-carbon future, we believe that the energy efficiency sector has a big role to play and is a significant contributor to local and national sustainability goals. In April, EfficiencyOne co-signed a letter to several Federal Ministers that outlined the role energy efficiency can play in a green economic recovery. We are optimistic that we’ll continue to see a strong commitment and level of understanding from the Federal government on the important role that energy efficiency does, and will continue to play, in achieving long term sustainability goals, creating green jobs, and continuing to help people build a better world through efficiency. Our role is to inform and motivate Nova Scotians to use less energy, use it smarter, and enjoy the good things efficiency brings. Investing in energy efficiency comes with many benefits—lower heating bills, more comfortable spaces, new jobs in your community, and a smaller overall carbon footprint. We are also excited to learn more about Canada’s intention to join the Three Per Cent Club, a coalition of businesses, government and institutions who have made a commitment to accelerate progress on energy efficiency with a goal to drive a 3% annual improvement rate in global energy intensity. Read the full letter:

CTV Morning Live Atlantic talks Home Energy Assessments

Our very own expert Barry Walker appeared on CTV Morning Live Atlantic this week, talking what to expect during one of our Home Energy Assessments and tips on using less home energy while saving money.

Check it out here: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2011037

EfficiencyOne presents at new virtual workshop series Energy Talks

We were pleased to have our very own Hugh MacDonald, Director of Information & Analytics and Ryan Kelly, Technical Lead, join a wide range of presenters as part of the new virtual workshop series Energy Talks on July 22, 2020. Hugh and Ryan along with Winston Morton, Chief Technical Officer at our partner Simptek Technologies, to deliver a session on Intelligent Efficiency Supply Chain Using Advanced Analytics. Over the past few months EfficiencyOne and Simptek Technologies have partnered on a pilot project to test the merits of using machine learning technology to increase enrolment in efficiency programs and streamline delivery of efficiency services.

The pilot project consists of using data analytics to help homeowners find the most relevant program offers, estimate potential savings, and access the products and services they need to take action to improve overall household energy efficiency. These insights will enable homeowners to quickly understand their best options to save money, improve their energy efficiency, and select local efficiency product and service vendors. #energytalks #energyinnovators

Learn more about the Energy Talks workshop series.

Fostering sustainable growth and planning in Nova Scotia

E1 is proud to work with NSCC as they continue to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to energy efficiency in Nova Scotia through activities such as planning, project development, energy management, and employee engagement. In early July NSCC unveiled conceptual drawings of the new Marconi Campus that is set to begin construction this summer on the Sydney Waterfront. Working with Efficiency Nova Scotia’s On-Site Energy Manager, Sam Natche, NSCC has been able to identify improved energy related activities, and plan, implement, and evaluate energy savings. The new Marconi Campus project is looking into incorporating the following energy efficiency measures:

High efficiency lighting and optimizing natural light
Running energy modelling scenarios to ensure high performance building envelope and glazing
Incorporation of multiple renewable energy systems
Heat recovery units

The new campus is set to open in 2024 and by including these measures will achieve LEED Gold Status and see projected energy savings between 1-3 GWh, which is roughly a 40-50% projected energy reduction compared to Building Code. We look forward to following this project in the coming months.

Task Force for a Resilient Recovery report “Bridge to the Future” calls for bold action