Old Man Winter hasn’t yet treated us to too many frigid blasts so far, but with temperatures dipping and snow creeping lower down the hillsides, people are looking to keep their houses warm and their heating bill affordable.
A recent release from FortisBC noted that older homes with poor energy efficiency disproportionately affect low-income households. Reports from the World Health Organization and McGill University show that “poor energy efficiency is more likely to affect low-income households and can adversely affect the overall health and well-being of this already vulnerable population.”
As a result, FortisBC is offering free assistance for income-qualified customer, as well as other energy savings programs all year round.
“Unfortunately, the homes most accessible to low-income households tend to be older and less efficient,” says Ariana Arguello, conservation and energy management program manager at FortisBC.
“For example, homes built before 1997, when national energy codes for buildings were first introduced, are more likely to have outdated heating systems, poor insulation, and drafty windows and doors, resulting in higher energy use and associated costs.”
To address these challenges, FortisBC offers support for income-qualified customers to help them manage their energy use. These programs include rebates, a free Energy Saving Kit, and hands-on support to help people save energy, lower their energy bills, and make their homes more comfortable all year round.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (TNRL) can help people in this region take steps to see how efficient their home is when it comes to retaining heat. Anyone who has a TNRL library card can take advantage of the “See the Heat” program, which allows patrons to borrow a FLIR thermal imaging camera and use it with their smartphones or iPads to see how well their home is insulated and sealed.
The cameras can be checked out at no cost for up to two weeks at any TNRL library. Users download a free app, then attach the camera to their smartphone or iPad and take pictures around their house of areas that might be leaking heat.
The images show where heat is being lost, allowing homeowners to take steps to fix the problem(s). The kit includes plastic window insulation, electrical switch and outlet insulators, and door and window weatherstripping to allow residents to carry out some small retro-fits.
For more information about FortisBC’s rebate programs for eligible income-qualified customers, visit fortisbc.com/incomequalified. For more information about the TNRL’s “See the Heat” program, go to https://www.tnrl.ca/explore/library-of-things/.
