With a goal of reducing pressure on the electrical grid in a community which is growing and with it its energy use, BC Hydro is now offering free home assessments and energy upgrades.
Until March next year, both renters and property owners can apply for the It’s On Electric program and receive an assessment, free products to save energy as well as old fridges or freezers removed free of charge. Tammy Tait, director of community relations with It’s On, said the goal is to have residents reduce their energy use during peak times like cold winters or blistering hot summers as experienced this past July. This helps residents conserve energy, improves reliability to the local electrical grid as well as ensures BC Hydro does not have to go into infrastructure improvements.
Residents start by applying to the program, then speak over the phone to see if they’re a good fit. After this they will have either a home energy assessment in-person (if their home is heated by electric power) or a virtual assessment (if it is a gas heated home).
Free products are then either installed by a technician (in electric heated homes) or by the person living in the home (gas heated homes). These include LED light bulbs, high efficiency showe heads, tap aerators, pipe wraps for electric hot water tanks, outlet and switch gaskets, smart thermostats for electric baseboards, electric hot water tank sensors, weatherstripping and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s On is also offering to take away old fridges or freezers at no cost to residents as part of the program.
There are no income requirements to participate. The applicant does, however, have to be the BC Hydro account holder for the property.
And mobile homes are not covered in this particular program, although BC Hydro runs several other programs in Hope. More information can be found by calling Hydro at 1 800-224-9376.
Until November 30, $25 gift cards to local restaurants or other businesses are being offered to residents who complete assessments with It’s On. Mail outs with information are coming to homes shortly, with further information at itsonelectric.com.
As energy saving programs are offered by third parties on behalf of BC Hydro, Tait said part of their work involves helping build confidence of people who want to access the It’s On free program. A letter of support shared with the Hope Standard from BC Hydro stated that the two companies are working together and “representatives from It’s On Electric Company are endorsed to promote and deliver this program to qualifying residents” in Hope.
Tait said they are hoping to make the application process as easy as possible. If people need help filling out the one page application form, they can contact 1-800-874-3831 or hopedirectinstall@itsonelectric.com. Tait said 25 homes in Hope participated in the program in September.