LiveSmart BC Community Hero
LiveSmart BC Community Hero: Matthew Salkeld
Do you want to save money on your energy bills, make your home more comfortable and reduce your impact on the environment?
"Home energy efficiency retrofits achieve all three," says Matthew Salkeld, a Certified Energy Advisor with EnergyWise Technologies in Parksville. "And they're one of the best financial investments you can make."
The federal ecoEnergy program provides homeowners with independent, impartial advice on energy efficiency upgrades, and then pays out money for each completed improvement. This is how the program works. First you contact a qualified energy advisor — Salkeld is one of two at EnergyWise — to perform an energy assessment of your home. Then implement energy upgrades of your choice within 18 months.
B.C.'s LiveSmart program, launched this year, adds significantly to the federal ecoEnergy grants paid for each upgrade. Some of these grants can make the difference in a homeowner being able to afford a project. Examples include: up to $1,900 for wall insulation, $790 for attic insulation, $730 for basement or crawl space insulation, $1,820 for an air-source heat pump, $1,270 for a high-efficiency furnace, and up to $560 for on-demand water heaters. Grants are also available for windows and doors ($60 each) and improving the air tightness of too-drafty houses (up to $500). All new heating equipment and windows must be Energy Star rated to qualify.
"During the home energy assessment and consultation," Salkeld says, "we can help homeowners to determine what is cost-effective and to prioritize their plans. We provide information on air quality and advice on proper ventilation based on the results of an accurate air-tightness test. We also discuss the various other provincial and federal programs and opportunities to reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions."
While the LiveSmart BC grant program runs to 2011, Salkeld recommends booking early since there is a strong demand. Call them at 248-9228.
