She:kon, my name is Stefan Tylak and I’m the Community Energy Specialist with the Wahta Mohawks. The goal of our program is to help increase energy security for the Community – so we rely less on electricity, propane and oil brought from afar, making the Community less vulnerable to future price shocks.
On Reserve Hydro One Delivery Credit: While residential homes on Reserve are currently exempt from paying the Hydro One delivery charges, this may end before too long! Preparing now with energy efficiency and renewable energy will help buffer cost increases and keep you comfortable (less drafty home, better lighting, etc.), while putting even more savings in your pocket and helping funds stay in the Community.
I’m undertaking interactive community outreach and education with a focus on energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions for homes and the Community as a whole. When we focus on the long-term life cycle cost (including energy and other operational costs), rather than just the upfront capital cost, we can better appreciate total, real costs. While we don’t know the cost of energy in the future, it goes UP more often than down! Between 1990 and 2015, energy efficiency improved in Canada by 26.5%. In 2015, these improvements saved Canadians $38.2 billion!
Programs for Financial Incentives – FREE Money!
The SaveON Retrofit Program applies mainly to businesses and offers up to $2,000 in FREE lighting, up to 50% of the costs for an energy assessment and up to 50% of project costs for things like occupancy sensors, HVAC, pumps, fans, etc.
For financing, mortgage insurance, etc., there’s the:
RBC Energy Saver Loan (flexible loan offers 1% discount on interest rate, or $100 rebate on assessment, 1-800-769-2511);
CMHC Green Loan (15-25% rebate on mortgage insurance, depending on level of efficiency, 1-800-668-2642); and
Genworth Canada Energy Efficient Housing Program (25% rebate for energy efficient new builds, 1-800-511-8888).
Education and Training
Between 2013 and 2017, a total of $ 22.2 billion was invested in renewable energy in Canada. If renewable energy and energy efficiency interests you (e.g. efficient building construction, renovations, solar photovoltaics, etc), perhaps you’d like to consider working in this area. There’s potential for education and training that I’d be more than happy to look into.
I look forward to working with the Community as we build a sustainable future that provides for the present while respecting at least the next seven generations. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’ve got any questions/concerns, or if I can help in any way.
Nia:wen,
Stefan
stefan.tylak@wahtamohawks.ca
