July 11, 2012

CVRD launches home energy incentive program for electoral areas

On July 16, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is holding a free information session to learn about the electoral area home energy incentive program, aimed at helping residents save money on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

The information session will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the CVRD boardroom located at 550B Comox Road, Courtenay.  There will be certified energy advisors on hand to provide information on the energy assessment process and rebates for existing homes, new home construction and major renovations.  The session is free, but space is limited so pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, email:or call 250-334-6000.

The program itself begins July 23 and runs until year end. 

The home retrofit program was developed to offset the costs of the two home energy assessments that are required to become eligible for the LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program.  According to the provincial Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI) for the CVRD electoral areas, buildings represent approximately 22 per cent of the areas’ greenhouse gas emissions.

“By participating in these programs, property owners can improve the comfort of their home, reduce their energy bill, add value to their home and help to achieve the goals and targets contained within the Comox Valley sustainability strategy,” said Edwin Grieve, chair of the CVRD board of directors.

The new construction program offers a free energy assessment of your project in order to provide you with a projected EnerGuide rating and to identify energy improvements.  An additional $100 rebate is available to those who commit to improving the energy performance of their new home and achieving EnerGuide 80 or above.  This rebate is also provided as an incentive to follow through with the EnerGuide labeling once the home is constructed.

Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.  Applicants must be the registered property owner of residential properties located in Lazo North (Area ‘B’),Puntledge-Black Creek (Area ‘C’), or the Vancouver Island portion of Baynes Sound (Area ‘A’) of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD). For full eligibility criteria and to download application forms visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/greenbuilding. 

The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.

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Media contact:
Michael Zbarsky, manager of transit and sustainability 
Tel:  250-334-6037