FortisBC offers targeted energy efficiency assistance to households that need it most

Dec 11, 2024

Efforts of local non-profit housing society demonstrate how this helps improve the health and well-being of their residents

SURREY, B.C.—December 11, 2024: With winter fast approaching, many customers in B.C. are looking to keep their homes at a healthy, comfortable temperature while also managing their energy costs. Recognizing poor energy efficiency disproportionately affects low-income households, FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc. (“FortisBC”) offer free assistance for income-qualified customers and other energy savings programs all year round. One standout example is the positive work of Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society (ENFHS), a non-profit housing society that has taken initiative to help their residents lower energy use through these free programs.¹

“With the challenges faced by our most vulnerable customers, we understand that energy efficiency isn’t a ‘nice to have,’ it’s a ‘need to have,’” said Ariana Arguello, conservation and energy management program manager at FortisBC. “That’s why the dedication from the team and residents at Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society, especially their approach to include energy conservation education into their projects, is so inspiring. It demonstrates how taking specific actions to reduce energy use can lead to more comfortable homes and help improve the quality of life for residents.”

Reports from organizations like the World Health Organization and McGill University show that poor energy efficiency is more likely to affect low-income households and can adversely affect the overall health and well-being of this already vulnerable population.^{2, 3} Unfortunately, the homes most accessible to low-income households tend to be older and less efficient.⁴ For example, homes built before 1997, when national energy codes for buildings were first introduced, are more likely to have outdated heating systems, poor insulation and drafty windows and doors, resulting in higher energy use and associated costs.

To address these challenges, FortisBC offers support for income-qualified customers to help them manage their energy use. These programs include rebates, a free Energy Saving Kit and hands-on support to help them save energy, lower their energy bills and make their homes more comfortable all year. It also works directly with non-profit housing societies to identify and fund large-scale energy-efficiency upgrades.

ENFHS, which serves more than 1,200 women, gender-diverse people, single-parent families and seniors across its 13 Lower Mainland buildings, took advantage of these programs. After learning about assistance programs through the BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA), the ENFHS team encouraged and supported residents in applying for FortisBC’s Energy Conservation Assistance Program, a program that provides income-qualified customers with free energy-efficiency upgrades like draftproofing, water-efficient showerheads and faucet aerators and, in some cases, ENERGY STAR^® refrigerators for eligible homes. The society also helped residents understand the importance of energy conservation, which fostered a shared commitment to energy efficiency that has led to more comfortable homes.

This work started in 2021 and since then, many residents have noticed the positive benefits including better quality of life. By completing energy-efficiency upgrades, it’s helped create quieter spaces making it more peaceful for residents. Many residents also noticed the year-round benefits of feeling more comfortable in their homes—feeling warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. On top of this, the society has lowered greenhouse gas emissions by around 143 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, the equivalent energy use of more than 30 homes for a year.⁵

“At the heart of our work is the dedication to residents’ well-being and comfort. With the support of FortisBC and the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, we’ve been able to access valuable energy-saving programs, helping us progress towards greater energy efficiency and resilience as an organization,” said Lilian Chau, chief executive officer at Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society. “Through these projects it was a chance to reaffirm our commitment to offering affordable housing and show how energy efficiency can help lower energy costs while ensuring our residents can take pride in these advancements.” 

In recognition of their hard work and dedication, ENFHS was awarded the FortisBC Energy Leader Award presented to them at BCNPHA’s annual Housing Central Conference on November 19. The society demonstrated that energy-efficiency upgrades go beyond the energy savings and have a positive impact for their residents. For ENFHS, the work doesn’t stop here as they are planning five larger retrofit projects to improve energy efficiency in these homes as they continue to expand their services and support to more British Columbians.

“As the winter weather hits, it’s a reminder to reach out to us for support if you or someone you know needs help to reduce energy use in the home and help lower energy bills,” said Arguello.

For more information about FortisBC’s rebate programs for eligible income-qualified customers, visit fortisbc.com/incomequalified.

¹ Programs are free for eligible income-qualified customers and non-profit housing providers.

² World Health Organization (WHO), Housing and Health Guidelines, 2018.

³ Energy poverty: an overlooked determinant of health and climate resilience in Canada | Canadian Journal of Public Health (springer.com).

⁴ Building related energy poverty in developed countries – Past, present, and future from a Canadian perspective - ScienceDirect.

⁵ Natural Resource Canada, Greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator.

 

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