MARKHAM, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 2, 2012) - Enbridge Gas Distribution has launched the Community Energy Conservation Project in partnership with the City of Markham. While the hazy days of summer seem like a strange time to talk about home heating, it is the perfect time to consider an energy retrofit.
Offered to Enbridge customers who own a home in the L3P postal area, the Community Energy Conservation Project works in tandem with Markham's Greenprint Community Sustainability Plan, to make it easy and affordable for customers to understand and improve the energy efficiency of their home, lower their energy bills, and reduce their home's impact on the environment.
Markham was chosen for the Community Energy Conservation Project because of its strong commitment to sustainability through its Greenprint Community Sustainability Plan, which includes the objectives of achieving net zero energy, water, waste and emissions by 2050. The L3P postal code area was chosen because most of the houses are between 16 and 35 years old. Houses in this age range are typically less energy efficient than newer homes, making the designated area ideal for the retrofit program.
"Markham is very pleased to partner with Enbridge and other leading businesses to deliver this innovative program in the L3P area code," said City of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "Our Greenprint plan set an aggressive target of net zero energy by 2050. To achieve this, the Markham community will need to work together to become much more energy efficient and great initiatives like this will help us reach our goal."
Enbridge has partnered with other leading businesses who share the commitment to environmental initiatives and helping Ontario homeowners save money. Project partners include Direct Energy, Scotiabank, Lowe's Canada, and PowerStream, with support from the Sustainable Housing Foundation and Natural Resources Canada.
By working together, Enbridge and these businesses will offer incentives including: discounts on energy-efficient products like high-efficiency furnaces and low-flow toilets; an exclusive low-rate, fixed-term loan and other financing plans; and energy efficiency advice.
Enbridge Gas Distribution, as part of this program, will pay $150 toward the cost of an energy evaluation that will appraise a home's current energy use and reveal areas where the homeowner can make retrofits to improve energy efficiency resulting in greater energy conservation and cost savings. Upon completion of two qualified retrofit measures, which can include a high-efficiency space or water heating upgrade, air sealing an attic, or basement and wall insulation upgrades, Enbridge Gas Distribution will pay up to an additional $1,100.
Complete with energy expertise, helpful tools, financial and other incentives, the program is designed to make it easier and more affordable for residents of Markham's L3P area to improve the energy efficiency of their home, save money and reduce their impact on the environment.
"After 15 years delivering energy efficiency programs, we're excited to help our customers use energy even more wisely through this new and unique collaboration," said Guy Jarvis, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "By offering financial incentives and other support for energy retrofit projects, and partnering with the City of Markham, Enbridge Gas Distribution is helping our customers keep their home energy costs low and reduce their impact on the environment."
From 1995 to 2010, Enbridge Gas Distribution's energy efficiency programs have saved a total of 6.1 billion cubic metres of natural gas - enough natural gas to supply the needs of about 1.9 million homes for one year. Its energy efficiency programs have also prevented the release of about 11.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere - the equivalent of taking approximately 2.2 million cars off of the road for a year.
Markham homeowners in the L3P area who are interested in signing up for the Community Energy Conservation Project should book an energy evaluation by calling 1-866-633-1549.
For more information, visit markham.knowyourenergyscore.com.
ABOUT ENBRIDGE GAS DISTRIBUTION
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2012 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2012 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to more than 1.9 million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com.
ABOUT THE CITY OF MARKHAM
Markham was designated Canada's newest city on July 1, 2012, and enjoys a rich heritage and vibrant economy. More than 310,000 residents, 400 corporate head offices, 900 high tech and life science companies, and 9,000 small and medium businesses make award-winning Markham their home. Markham has won distinction with Excellence Canada PEP III Integrated and Accessibility Awards, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.
For more information please contact:
Chris Meyer
416-753-6626
chris.meyer@enbridge.com
www.enbridgegas.com
City of Markham Media Contact
Dennis Flaherty
905-415-7520
media@markham.ca
