Energy Efficiency
Barrie's Integrated Energy Mapping Strategy
In late 2009, the Canadian Urban Institute received support from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the CanmetENERGY division of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) to launch the Integrated Energy Mapping for Ontario Communities (IEMOC) initiative. The IEMOC initiative is working with the cities of Guelph, Hamilton, Barrie and London to analyze the impact of population growth, employment growth, land use, and transporation decisions on existing and future energy consumption and supply. Barrie's participation in this project was approved by Council in April 2010.
Five activities were undertaken in Barrie:
- evaluate energy reduction opportunities for new and existing buildings;
- review the application of cost-effective alternative technologies and renewable fuels;
- assess the potential to reduce the impact of transporation related energy use;
- visualize energy use of buildings and transporation using maps through geographic information systems (GIS); and,
- develop a tool to monitor, evaluate and verify progress towards meeting energy and greenhouse gas objectives.
Barrie will receive the following reports and models:
- an integrated energy mapping strategy;
- geocoded energy maps for visualizing energy use and scenarios; and,
- integrated energy mapping model and financial assessment process.
The City of Barrie was identified as a recipient community for support for the IEMOC initiative to aid with developing an updated energy consumption baseline and to identify better opportunities for integrating community energy systems based on detailed population and employment growth information. The City is hoping to use this information going forward to help better align planning functions with energy impacts in the hope of helping to build a more energy efficient community.
The City of Barrie is committed to consulting the public for this project and a draft copy of the report is available for download here. A comment form is also available if you wish to provide your comments. Your opinion is important to us and we wish to thank anyone who submits a comment.
Energy Conservation
Reduce Your Energy Consumption
Energy consumption from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal) is directly related to the creation of green-house gases. By personally reducing energy-use you reduce your green-house gas emissions and save money by reducing your energy bill.
Energy consumption consists of two components; the amount of energy the device uses when turned on and the amount of time the device is on.
Therefore, you can reduce your energy consumption by doing two things:
- Replace the device with one that uses less energy by switching to a smaller, more efficient device (energy star appliances, high efficiency furnaces or water heaters, low flow toilets, CFL lights).
- Keep the device on for shorter periods of time. Use a programmable thermostat to lower temperatures when a home is unoccupied, reduce heat loss by insulating or caulking and weather-stripping (furnace, A/C will run less), maintain your appliances properly (clean filters, and coils, yearly tune ups by professionals) or simply turn devices off when not in use (lights, TV, computers etc.).
Appliances
- Appliances use approximately 15 per cent of the energy consumed in our homes and are responsible for approximately 7.5 per cent of the green-house gas emissions for each Canadian.
- Generally speaking, the larger the appliance, the more energy it uses so ensure you buy the right sized appliances for your needs.
- Turn off your appliances when they’re not in use and ensure you buy the most energy efficient type (energy star-rated appliances are your guarantee that the product is energy efficient.)
- Some small appliances such as TVs, DVD players, Satellite decoders, and computer monitors continue to consume power even when turned off and should be shut-off with a power bar (if recommended by manufacturer).
- Get rid of that beer fridge! Old fridges use up to $100 a year in electricity. PowerStream is offering a program called the ‘Great Refrigerator Round-up” which will collect old refrigerators from residents in Barrie and dispose of them properly for FREE. Information is located on PowerStream's website here.
Renewable Power
Another way we can reduce our environmental footprint is to use non-polluting power. You can purchase green power from various electrical re-sellers including Bullfrog power, Direct Energy and OPG.
The Provincial Government began a new renewable energy purchase program in the fall of 2006 called the Standard Offer Contract. This program allows organizations or residents to install renewable power systems up to 10 mW in size. The project is largely aimed at commercial projects (wind, biogas, small hydro) with costs in the millions of dollars but it is also applicable to solar PV, or wind systems installed at your home.
The Power Pledge
The City of Barrie is pleased to be taking part in Ontario’s The Power Pledge. To pledge online and get more info, go to
www.powerpledge.ca
