Affordable Warmth

The Affordable Warmth BC (AWBC) program includes the development of an online central point of service complemented by staffing support that guides affordable housing owners, renters and housing providers to the most up-to-date programs, services and funding support for improving building energy performance. To provide information on energy efficiency programs and services and 'green housing' initiatives to the affordable housing sector through friendly and customized support.

BC Hydro Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP)

The Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) is a Power Smart initiative for BC Hydro customers with higher electricity consumption who may not be able to afford to make their homes more energy efficient. Qualified applicants can receive a free home energy evaluation and energy efficiency upgrades to help reduce their consumption and save money on their bills.

City Green has the contract with BC Hydro to provide all energy evaluations for this program and to provide recommendations on maximizing cost effective energy savings.

LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program (LEAP)

Funded by the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources, the LiveSmart BC Efficiency Assistance Program (LEAP) provides grants for energy assessments and basic energy efficient upgrades, to improve the energy efficiency of lower income households and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The focus of the program is on social housing providers. The average per unit grant is $1700.00.

City Green has the contract to provide all energy assessments and report recommendations.

LiveSmart - Ucluelet Affordable Housing Program

Funded by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, the LiveSmart - Ucluelet Affordable Housing Program provides energy assessments and retrofits to housing units located throughout Ucluelet that qualify as “affordable households” and/or currently are used as a primary residence for individuals who qualify as affordable housing applicants.

The program is designed to provide immediate assistance to 70 households in Ucluelet that are interested in having energy retrofits completed to their dwelling unit, ultimately reducing energy costs and C02 emissions associated with the operation of the residence.

The project covers the costs of conducting two energy assessments ($450 value) as well as providing capital money (up to $1700) for retrofits to eligible dwelling units.

City Green has the main contract to provide energy assessments, reporting, contractor management, financial over-site and quality assurance.

BC Non-Profit Strategic Energy Management Plan

BC Hydro has contracted the services of City Green Solutions to develop a Strategic Energy Management Plan (SEMP) for the BC Non-Profit Housing Sector. The main focus of the SEMP is to create detailed portfolios on upwards of 50,000+ long-term non-profit housing units across the Province and develop a strategy for implementing energy efficiency improvements on these units.

The SEMP will be a comprehensive report for engaging large and small, rural and urban, non-profit housing societies. Best practices, as well as challenges and barriers to engaging the sector in energy efficiency programs, will be highlighted.

Analysis of energy data and the results from energy assessments and current weatherization programs, will inform benchmarking of building energy performance, allowing for prioritization of upgrades based on cost effectiveness, energy savings, and greenhouse gas reduction.

Results presented will outline best practices for integrating energy efficiency into social housing asset management planning; highly relevant given the phasing out of provincial operating agreements to non-profit housing societies by 2034.