Courtenay will participate with the Comox Valley Regional District in a program to make renovations to low carbon tech easier for homeowners.
Called the Home Energy Navigator program, it aims to address barriers identified by residents who want to switch to heat pumps, for example, or other means.
They add this is needed because residential homes are the second largest producers of greenhouse gas emissions in the city, behind transportation. Rebates are also offered by numerous organizations like BC Hydro and Fortis BC, but some homeowners say eligibility uncertainty and inexperience keep them out of reach.
The program aims to provide support through providing information and advice to homeowners. It was developed by City Green Solutions and is used in the Capital Regional District and the Regional District of Nanaimo. City Green will also administer the program in the Comox Valley.
To do this, the CVRD has allocated $50,000 for the program and it is suggested the city do the same. It has been proposed for the 2024 budget, and it could potentially come from the province’s Local Government Climate Action program.
The city adds they estimate the service will cost them around $425 per home, meaning they would look to help around 120 residential homes in a year.
More funding could be allocated in the future if the program proves to be popular, according to the city. They say that will depend on getting the word out, and money from the CVRD will be used for a marketing campaign.
The city adds the program aligns with its official community plan, residential emissions reduction plan and the CleanBC roadmap to 2030.
The recommendation passed unanimously.
