Energy Comission of NB. Centre Culturel et Sportif de Cormier Village

Transcription

1 Energy Comission of NB Centre Culturel et Sportif de Cormier Village

2 Introduction The Centre Curturel et Sportive de Cormier Village was constructed to replace the previous center that burnt some 5years ago. The initial attempt to replace the center resulted in concerns over the long term cost of operating the center in particular the cost of heating and cooling. During the last years of operation the cost for oil was approx. $18,000 per year. As a result the provincial and federal governments rejected our funding request, knowing that similar centers needed ongoing funds to offset these cost. The committee set out to find alternatives to reduce these operational cost and as a result we now have a center that is schedule the open in April 2011 and is expected to cost approx. $5000 per year for all power requirements (heat, cooling, lights etc).

3 About the Center The heating and cooling requirements of the center were met using Geo-termal heat pumps, in-floor heating, solar heat collectors, a solar wall, Photo-cells for some power generation. The entire center was built using local trades people. The project was overseen by a committee of residents. The center will be used to promote education on sustainable construction and allow visitors to see the technologies up close. The center is adaptable to other technologies as they become available.

4 Awareness is the key We feel that there are many people building and buying homes today looking to reduce there carbon foot prints. One of the issues is awareness and availability of the information and options. In my own experience both of the homes I have built for myself (1990 and (2006) I found that the effort required to decipher the information on alternate heating options was difficult and sometimes the information was misleading or false. I spoke to others who faced similar issues. The center has engaged to provide education opportunities to individuals, trades people and contractors on the options available. We will bring the experts here rather than have everyone travel to them. We have associated ourselves with Energia on the project as well as on training.

5 Evaluating the payback Payback for including or adding energy of heating alternatives is more than the cost saving on energy. It is also about: Adding value to your home Residual value of the equipment used Reduction of your impact on global warming

6 Getting the buyers to buy in When buyers look at a house and compare it to others will the pay for the value in alternative energy? Again awareness is required. Training for realtors, bankers and buyers is needed. Energy audits are a valuable tool. This is already in place for energy conservation grants. Maybe is should be added to the requirements for buying / financing a home like the home inspection for example.

7 Funding There is a requirement for assistance to individuals who want to undertake upgrades. Some of the options discussed by previous speakers could be used as a source of funds. For example: Changing the rate structure such as to increase to per KW rate for larger consumers would provide additional saving from reducing consumption as well as provide funds which could be diverted to energy conservation initiatives Providing interest free loans and or grants Using property taxes as a way of managing the loans. IE: the individual agrees to pay an extra amount on there taxes until the loan is paid off.

8 Summary Focus on reducing energy usage Awareness is key (individuals, trades, realtors, bankers and so on) Make it easier to get reliable information NB has the workforce in place (many are currently going out of province to find work) Use energy audits as a tool Funded by rate payer not tax payer