My family’s home, a rented owner-built house divided into four suites, is a “Salt Spring 1970’s special”, built at a time when building codes were more relaxed. On the plus side, we have enjoyed the affordable housing price and can walk into to Ganges – these are BIG ‘eco-plusses’ for us — but consider the ‘eco-minuses’ of weaker insulation and other energy inefficiencies of 1970s-era building practices that can result in higher ‘hydro’ bills, and would co$t money to remedy such upgrades to energy-efficient major appliances, more effective insulation, and less energy-hungry lighting.
When I heard about the BC Hydro and FortisBC Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) last October, I quickly signed up. Seven months later – May 2015 – we finally got our free home assessment, and more. Let me tell you right now: I am one happy customer!
On a sunny Thursday, Dan, the subcontractor from Carillion sent by BCHydro, pulled up to my house with a toolkit for quick & easy instant upgrades plus a checklist for more items to be completed later. As diligently as a Jack Russell Terrier hunting out pesky rabbits from a backyard garden, Dan tracked down our home’s most egregious energy-wasting features. Here’s what he found, and what he did right there on the spot:
• installed sixteen 13W Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
• installed four 9W Globe Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
• installed ten Water-saving faucet aerators
• installed one Water-saving fixed showerheads
• installed one Water-saving handheld showerhead
• weather-stripped the exterior doors
• wrapped the hot water tank with insulation
• provided four thermometer cards for our refrigerator and our freezer
But wait, there’s more! If Dan had found under-roof insulation inadequate he would have ordered up NEW insulation to be blown into the attic/crawl space AND replaced an inefficient older furnace. In our case, the family fridge was not rated EnergyStar so he ordered me a brand new one refrigerator. Wow! I can now boast that our home has had a visitation from a real-life Appliance Fairy!
We were also left with list of top home energy saving tips, which I’ll share here:
1 – Turn thermostat(s) down to 17 C (60 F) when not at home or at night
2 – Set the thermostat to 20 C (68 F) during the day
3 – Set the temperature of the hot water tank to 55 C (130 F)
4 – Take shorter showers (5 min. or less) instead of baths
5 – Turn off lights, TVs, monitors, and other electronics when not in use
As BCHydro is included in our monthly rental, we are hoping the cost-savings will get reflected in lower future rent increases and a lower monthly bill. If your financial position does not permit you to take care of these kinds of home improvements, then I urge you to contact BC Hydro and apply for the program.
As Dan the Appliance Fairy put it, “I love coming over to Salt Spring, and the program is always looking for new applicants.” Here’s how you get in on it:
Homeowners or tenants with a BCHydro residential account may apply – that’s true whether your home is single-family, townhouse, or mobile home. The program offers a free home energy evaluation, some free energy saving products, such as weatherstripping, along with free installation. Some homes may also qualify for free insulation and/or an ENERGY STAR® refrigerator or furnace.
Proof of income is required: for example, a single person with an income below $30,800, or a family of 4 with a combined income below $57,200, are eligible.
To learn more and apply, visit bchydro.com/ecap or call the program’s approved contractor at 1 877 806-3242 Ext 4 for Vancouver Island.