Efficiency Manitoba opens window to upgrades expansion

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This article was published 05/06/2023 (1018 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Seeking to expand its impact and meet its energy-reduction goals, Efficiency Manitoba has revised its residential program support income thresholds.

Approximately 200,000 low- to moderate-income households in the province will now qualify for the Crown corporation’s Energy Efficiency Assistance Program.

Eligible homeowners, tenants and landlords will be able to access free energy-saving upgrades such as attic, wall or basement insulation, light bulbs, water-saving shower heads, and subsidized natural gas furnace or boiler upgrades, Efficiency Manitoba said Monday in a news release.

The Crown corporation aims to reduce provincial consumption of electricity by 1.5 per cent and natural gas by 0.75 per cent, respectively, annually.

“Inflation has hit everybody, and it’s probably hit the income-qualified customer a little bit harder than others,” said Colleen Kuruluk, chief executive officer of Efficiency Manitoba. “By increasing the threshold of the program, we’re allowing more people to participate and helping to reduce their energy bills.”

Efficiency Manitoba has already reached more than 3,000 participating households, and people can save between $100 to $500 per year, said Kuruluk.

All participants will receive a free home energy audit from an evaluator to see what their opportunities are, and could be connected with a registered contractor to complete the upgrade.

“This program is an important part of our government’s commitment to helping Manitobans save money on their energy bills, while reducing our province’s carbon footprint,” said Kevin Klein, environment and climate minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba.

Program eligibility is based on low-income cut-off (LICO) values for urban centres with more than 500,000 residents, as determined by Statistics Canada, Efficiency Manitoba said.

To expand its program reach, the Crown corporation has increased these thresholds from LICO 125 (LICO plus 25 per cent) to LICO 145 (LICO plus 45 per cent), making more Manitobans eligible, according to the news release.

Increasing program eligibility will have a two-person household now qualify with a total household income (before deductions) of $53,035 or less, while a four-person household will qualify with a total household income of $79,161 or less.

Efficiency Manitoba also provides funding for neighbourhood renewal corporations to plan and execute initiatives that benefit communities, such as hiring efficiency advocates to canvas neighbourhoods and increase program participation. It has partnered with the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corp., North End Community Renewal Corp., and other such groups in Brandon and Dauphin.

During spring to fall, advocates will canvas pre-qualified residents in these neighbourhoods; these participants will not have to provide income verification documents, Efficiency Manitoba said.

tessa.adamski@freepress.mb.ca