A joint initiative between the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and the District of Squamish intended to assist homeowners improve energy efficiency has expanded.
Retrofit Assist launched last year to help homeowners “on their journey to installing electric home heating & cooling systems,” read a release from the two local governments.
In June, that program was expanded to now include a full suite of additional home energy-efficiency measures.
Program participants can now receive input from a team of experts ranging from “professional energy advisors and contractors specializing in air sealing, insulation, windows and doors, heat-pump installation, and more,” the release went on. “The service provides assistance all the way from interested to installed.”
Retrofit Assist participants can take advantage of a dedicated energy advisor, who will conduct a detailed assessment of their home and eventually provide an energy consumption report with a list of steps the homeowner can take to improve their energy efficiency and comfort.
Deep-energy retrofits address “frailties in the building envelope” by sealing air leakage points and increasing insulation, followed by introducing heat pumps for heating and cooling. The program does not, however, require participants to undertake a full deep-energy retrofit; supports are available for any and all of the available measures.
The expanded service comes as local governments across the country are working to meet their climate goals. Whistler has set a goal of cutting its 2007-level greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, a target it is not on pace to meet. It has also set specific emission reduction goals for both residential and commercial buildings.
“Whistler is working to make existing buildings better. We have set a goal to reduce emissions from residential buildings by 20% and from large commercial buildings by 40% by the year 2030,” said Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton in the release. “Offering Retrofit Assist to constituents is just one way our community is working to achieve this. I encourage all community members to take advantage of the expanded services now available to help them improve the health and comfort of their homes while also contributing to our emissions reduction targets, while also maximizing the rebate they receive for their efforts.”
Homeowners that upgrade their energy efficiency are entitled to financial support from both the provincial and federal governments, and Retrofit Assist also provides guidance on how to make the most of the funding opportunities available.
“Some people don’t know that there is significant grant funding available to help people make their homes more energy efficient, and it’s our job to help people access this, while helping to ensure their homes are comfortable all year round,” said program manager Tami Rothery in the release.
Homeowners and HVAC contractors are encouraged to visit retrofitassist.ca to learn how the program can support them and see if they are eligible to participate.
