Lanark County’s moving ahead with a $5 million contribution from its reserves for its Better Homes Lanark program in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and your heating bill.
28% of single family homes in the county use either propane or fuel oil as their main heating source, which produce a higher carbon intensity and is more expensive. Only 5% of all Ontario homes use either as a primary heat source.
Climate Environmental Coordinator Elizabeth Gallant says high energy costs impact a lot of county residents no matter how they heat their homes.
Over 7,000 of these homes are not considered low-income so they don’t qualify for existing programs, but are still considered “energy poor,” due to their heating bills and could benefit greatly from this program Gallant says.
You’re considered “energy poor,” if at least 6% of your after-tax income is spent on energy costs.
The county will apply for a $5 million loan from FCM in February so long as local municipalities show willingness to participate in the retrofitting program, which they say could benefit 15,620 homes.
See the full presentation here.
Story by Grant Deme