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City and RDN looking for more ways to support home retrofits

Regional survey on financing options for home energy improvements underway

Organization logo, see content for who is part of this release
Organization logo, see content for who is part of this release

JOINT NEWS RELEASE - Distributed August 9, 2023 9:00 AM

The City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) are looking for input from homeowners on home energy retrofits. Online and phone survey feedback will provide insight that will help guide the design of a financing program; one that will support residents as they improve their home’s energy efficiency while ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The voluntary survey is being conducted by Mainstreet Research and some homeowners may be contacted directly by phone. No personal information questions such as name, specific address or banking information will be asked.

Part of the study includes a short survey about homeowner needs, wants and barriers related to home energy efficiency upgrades. While some rebates are already in place, by identifying more financial options or other support homeowners may need, the City and RDN can help make these upgrades even more accessible. Currently, rebates for home energy efficiency improvements are offered by the City of Nanaimo, RDN, Province of BC (CleanBC) and Government of Canada (Canada Greener Homes).

Buildings (commercial, institutional, and residential) account for 19 per cent of community greenhouse gas emissions within the RDN. Residential buildings account for 70 per cent of those building emissions, making this study and options to support more home retrofits vital for reducing emissions in the region to a targeted 80 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050.

The study is partially funded by a $175,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Community Efficiency Financing initiative awarded to the City and RDN in the fall of 2022.

Homeowners can visit either the City or RDN websites to learn more and complete the online survey.

Key Points

  • The City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo are working on a study to understand and support home energy retrofit financing options for homeowners.
  • Residents may be called by Mainstreet Research to do a phone survey on behalf of the City and RDN. Residents are encouraged to participate if they are able to. No personal information questions such as name, specific address or banking information will be asked. Mainstreet began test calls to some residents on July 25, 2023.
  • The City and RDN want to learn about homeowners’ needs, barriers and preferences related to home energy efficiency and emissions reduction upgrades. Homeowners are encouraged to complete the online survey.
  • The study is partially funded by a $175,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Community Efficiency Financing initiative.

Quotes

"On one hand, we all want to reduce our carbon footprint. On the other hand, it can cost a lot to do so. What we need is yet another hand; one that reduces cost barriers and makes energy efficient options more accessible to everyone. I encourage all Nanaimo homeowners to fill out the survey and together we can find options that give everyone a hand up in home retrofits."

Leonard Krog
Mayor
City of Nanaimo

"The RDN is committed to reducing greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions within our region. One of our programs to achieve that, the RDN’s Green Building rebate and outreach program, provides financial support to residents for climate action home upgrades - but we’re interested in learning what else we can do. I encourage all residents to complete the survey so that we can receive important information about how we can further support home upgrades."

Vanessa Craig
Chair
Regional District of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • Buildings and infrastructure account for 31 per cent of Nanaimo’s community greenhouse gas emissions. Residential buildings make up approximately 42 per cent of those emissions.
  • Buildings (commercial, institutional, and residential) in the RDN together account for 19 per cent of RDN emissions, with residential buildings responsible for 70 per cent of those emissions.
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Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact:
Communications
City of Nanaimo
250-754-4251
Lisa Moilanen
Engagement Coordinator
Regional District of Nanaimo
250-390-6554

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