Locals got a chance to discover how to convert their homes into prime examples of energy-efficiency on Monday (March 15), and it's not too late to join in on the environmental saving trend.
The 樱桃视频Climate Action Network (CAN) gathered along with two dozen residents at the Adventure Centre movie theatre Monday night for the first half of a two free movie and speaker events dedicated to energy efficiency and green building.
"We have an existing housing stock that is very inefficient," said Luke Dolan, home energy auditor for his company Capital Home Energy.
Dolan gave a presentation on the federal incentives made available to homeowners who wish to improve their energy use.
The two-hour event also hosted guest speakers Ben Gardiner, a specialist with BC Hydro.
Prior to the movie presentation, 樱桃视频CAN members handed out a booklet, also made available online at squamishcan.com, outlining a variety of renewable energy alternatives for 樱桃视频residents.
"The average Canadian home uses 8,000 kilowatt per year, and in B.C. it is actually about 13000 Kwh/year," said Gardiner.
Gardiner spoke about the environmental importance of energy conservation and the monetary advantages of energy conservation.
Alternatives for homeowners include solar hot water heating systems, vertical axis windmills and geothermal heat pumps and may be bought from local businesses.
"We also have all kinds of potential sources for biomass," said Eric Anderson CAN member. "Our two biggest issues with implications of greenhouse gas emissions in our community are the Oceanfront and waterfront properties."
The movie, Are you Ready for the Renovation? Kilowatt Ours - A Plan to Re-Energize America was released in 2006 and the documentary follows American Jeff Barrie on his quest to learn how to conserve energy in his home and how to use renewable energy sources.
Barrie states that his goal is to stop using coal and nuclear to power his apartment and he travels across the states capturing shots of what he says are the effects of coal and nuclear power industries.
Those wishing to find out more about home energy audits, CAN is inviting people to a demonstration where Dolan will conduct a two-hour energy audit of Mayor Greg Gardner's house on Saturday (March 20). You can sign up for the event by contacting [email protected].
Part II of the energy conservation movie series will be shown next Monday (March 22) at 7 p.m. at the Adventure Centre.
