EfficiencyOne Annual Report: Nova Scotians continue to enjoy all the good things efficiency brings
(Dartmouth, NS) – EfficiencyOne, the non-profit operator of the province’s energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Nova Scotia, released its 2018 Annual Report today celebrating an important milestone for Nova Scotia – ten years of investment in efficiency programs. “In that time, we have reduced the province’s electricity use by an impressive 11 per cent,” says Stephen MacDonald, CEO EfficiencyOne.
In 2018 alone, independently evaluated results show that Nova Scotians saved over $180 million in annual energy costs, and have reduced one million tonnes of CO2 emissions—1 tonne for every person in the province.
“We are also reaching more customers today than ever before, with new support for oil-heated homes and new services for low-income renters and Mi’kmaq Communities,” says MacDonald.
“As Canada – and the world – adapts to climate change, Nova Scotia’s success in using energy more efficiently will continue to yield economic, social and environmental benefits,” says Bill Lahey, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of King’s College and Chair of the Board of Directors, EfficiencyOne. “Our next three-year plan, now before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, proposes to keep Nova Scotia ahead of the curve in the delivery of efficiency programs while bringing more benefits to more people.”
2018 also saw the launch of SolarHomes, a new program funded by the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, to make solar projects more affordable for homeowners. “We have been thrilled with the interest from Nova Scotians and received hundreds of applications within months of the program’s launch,” says MacDonald. “This is another great offering for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon foot print and increase their control of the kind of energy they use.”
Success in the past year also led to continued growth in Nova Scotia’s energy efficiency industry. “Our programs are delivered by more than 200 partner companies that employ 1,400 people across the province – an impressive group of experts in energy efficiency technologies and services,” adds MacDonald.
Efficiency Nova Scotia works with local businesses to deliver its programs and services, including no-charge energy assessments and home upgrades to income-qualified homeowners through the HomeWarming program which is funded by the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power, and delivered in partnership with Clean Foundation. More than 1750 homeowners participated in HomeWarming in 2018, including Janet Swansburg of the Annapolis Valley.
The program helped Janet make free-upgrades to her 1800’s era home and reduced heating costs, so that she could stay in her home for many years to come. “Before, I had to wear socks to bed, and it would take forever for me to warm up. Since having the work done in the basement, I never have to wear socks to bed. It made that much of a difference,” she says.
More customer stories and highlights can be found online in the 2018 Annual Report: https://annualreport.efficiencyone.ca/2018/#/home
Efficiency Nova Scotia is operated by EfficiencyOne, an independent, non-profit organization based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Since 2010, we’ve helped more than 400,000 program participants save energy and money. Efficiency Nova Scotia is your go-to place for energy saving programs and services.
For more information please contact:
Janet Tobin
Communications Lead
902-470-3652
JTobin@efficiencyns.ca