Energy audits will be available July 20 to 22 at no charge for small business owners in Centre Wellington.
The small business energy efficiency program is designed to provide small business owners with an assessment of their individual energy use and provide the opportunity for discussion about monthly energy bills, comfort levels, and current heating sources. The program will tell ways to save on energy costs while highlighting the energy savings.
Funding is through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Community Go Green fund and is being supported locally by Centre Wellington Hydro and Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Fergus and Elora BIAs. Certified energy advisors from the Elora Environmental Centre will do walk-through audits.
During that audit, advisors will replace old lighting with a variety of energy efficient bulbs and provide an energy efficiency kit. The advisors can provide advice about grants to assist small businesses in upgraded lighting fixtures and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.
Doug Sherwood, president and secretary of Centre Wellington Hydro, said, "This program presents an attractive opportunity for business owners to save on energy bills while keeping in mind that conservation has implications far beyond a business’s bottom line … It’s a win-win situation."
Elora BIA chairman Resa Lent, said, “"We need to individually do as much as we can. Turning off unnecessary lighting, changing light bulbs and doing laundry at night is a great start but we can always use more advice. This is an excellent home-grown program."
Fergus BIA Executive Director Julia Tyndale-Biscoe is convinced of the benefits of energy conservation; “Who wouldn’t want to save money and at the same time help manage the world’s resources?” she asked. “You can’t loose by educating yourselves about these initiatives. Well done Centre Wellington Hydro … for getting these programs in place”.
The fund is a four-year, $6.6-million program . To be considered for funding, projects must cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide outreach and education, promote long-term behavioral change and advocate actions that create results that can be measured.
For the free walk-through audit, call 519-846-8464 or toll-free at 1-866-865-7337.
