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Author: Alyssa Heuchert

Efficiency Manitoba files first three-year Efficiency Plan

New Crown corporation looks forward to helping Manitobans save energy, money, and the environment

Efficiency Manitoba, Manitoba’s new Crown corporation focused on energy efficiency, has filed its first three-year Efficiency Plan with the Public Utilities Board. The plan outlines the path forward for Efficiency Manitoba to achieve legislated energy savings targets.

Efficiency Manitoba has a mandate to develop and support energy efficiency initiatives reducing provincial consumption of electricity by 1.5% and natural gas by 0.75% annually. The plan put forward achieves those targets which are designed to cost effectively contribute to meeting Manitobans’ needs for energy while helping reduce the impact of energy rate increases.

“We’re very proud to submit our three-year plan for energy efficiency in Manitoba,” said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. “Building on a strong foundation, we are moving forward with an exciting new future in energy efficiency; we look forward to helping Manitobans save energy, money and the environment.”

The filing of this first three-year efficiency plan initiates the Public Utilities Board (PUB) review process in anticipation of Efficiency Manitoba’s official commencement date of April 1, 2020. The review process will include a public hearing following which the PUB will provide a report and recommendations for review, comment and approval by the Minister.

Members of the public can share their views on Efficiency Manitoba’s plan by way of a written comment, oral presentation or as an approved intervener. Further information is available on the PUB Website Those parties interested in intervening must submit the intervener application to PUB by 12:00 p.m. October 31, 2019. Those parties interested in presenting at the public hearing must submit the presenter application to PUB before November 29, 2019.

“While meeting expectations set out in the legislation and mandate letter, Efficiency Manitoba will make a positive difference in the lives of Manitobans” said Kuruluk. “This includes improving home comfort and lowering energy costs. Businesses implementing energy efficient initiatives will also see reduced operating costs and increased competitiveness.”

Program enhancements and new offerings are outlined in the three-year plan which will assist in driving the increased level of savings mandated through legislation. The plan also sees continuation of programs that cost effectively achieve enduring savings while meeting customer and industry expectations for stable program offerings.

Contractors, suppliers, service providers and communities will be integral to delivery of three-year plan, providing nearly all of Efficiency Manitoba’s in field support for products and services. Including customer incentives, the three-year plan sees over 85 percent of Efficiency Manitoba’s budget flowing into local partners and service providers working with the organization to deliver programs and services.

Kuruluk said the submission of the plan is the culmination of extensive work and input from diverse representation on Efficiency Manitoba’s Energy Efficiency Advisory Group. “We extend sincere appreciation to our Advisory Group and other Manitobans engaging with us so far. We look forward to ongoing collaboration and continuing to build on the strong culture of energy efficiency in Manitoba”.

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Save energy at work this fall

Fall is a season of change, from the leaves turning red and gold to the geese flying south. Now is a great time to consider how you’re using energy around your workplace and make some changes of your own! Here are our top tips to get your workplace ready for the cooler weather. 

  1. Make sure your HVAC system vents are clear of any clutter and obstructions so that air can circulate freely. As much as 25% more energy is required to distribute air if your vents are blocked. 
  2. Want to reduce your lighting expenses by 10% to 40%? Use automatic lighting controls or turn off your lights and open your blinds to make the best use of natural daylight and take advantage of skylights or other natural light sources. 
  3. Make a habit of turning off the lights whenever you leave a room. 
  4. Fight off energy vampires! Unplug electronics when you’re not actively using them and when you’re away from work for an extended period of time. 
  5. Electronics use more energy if you leave them running instead of turning them on and off as needed. Be sure to turn equipment, computers, monitors, photocopiers, and appliances off when they’re not in use. 
  6. Host daily, weekly, or monthly office challenges by encouraging your coworkers to adopt an energy-efficient behaviour. This is a fun way to get everyone engaged in the cause! 
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Social Contest Facebook Answers

In April, we partnered with manufacturers and retailers to offer our followers some amazing prizes.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our contests. We had a lot of fun reading all the great comments.

Thank you to the following manufacturers and retailers for donating the prizes!

To enter on Facebook, customers had to answer questions related to the prizes being given away. Check out some of the responses to our questions below.

TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES IN OUR APRIL SOCIAL MEDIA CONTESTS:

OVER
17K!

WE ASKED:
“WHAT TEMPERATURE DO YOU KEEP YOUR HOME AT?”

YOU SAID:
DAY: 20°C
NIGHT: 19°C

Tips

Adjust your thermostat at night and when you’re not at home. In winter, lower the temperature by 3°C or more for at least 8 hours a day to save up to 4% on heating costs.

Use a smart thermostat. It can be controlled remotely to set and adjust the climate of your home. It can also learn from your schedule and sense when you’re home and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Great work!

The majority of our followers keep their furnaces in tip-top shape. Check out the numbers.

Tip

Schedule regular maintenance for your heating and cooling equipment. They will last longer and run more efficiently. Don’t forget to change the furnace air filter every 3 months.

WE ASKED:
“WHAT LIGHT FIXTURE WOULD YOU UPGRADE FIRST IN YOUR HOME?”

YOU SAID:
DINING ROOM

WE ASKED:
“WHAT ARE THE TOP MOVIES TO WATCH WITH SMART HOME LIGHTING?”

YOU SAID:
STAR WARS
AVENGERS
HARRY POTTER

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Home + Garden Show

The Efficiency Manitoba Energy Team was at the Home + Garden Show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre from April 4 to 7, 2019 and we’d like to thank everyone that came out and visited our booth! We had lots of great conversations about energy efficiency and our LED lighting rebates. Talking to Manitobans like you is so important; it helps us better understand your energy conservation needs and what you value most.

We can’t wait for the next opportunity to chat with you. Remember – we’re just getting started.

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Earth Day

Mark your calendars – April 22 is Earth Day. This is a time to celebrate our planet and learn about how we can preserve our natural resources.

Here are a few ways you can contribute:

  • Recycle your old CFL bulbs. Visit regeneration.ca to find a collection facility near you.
  • While you’re at it, purchase new and energy efficient LED bulbs.
  • Turn off your electronics and read, play board games or spend some time outside.
  • When you’re doing your spring cleaning, donate any unwanted items instead of throwing them away.
  • Take advantage of warm days and hang your clothes outside to dry.
  • Invest in reusable grocery bags and water bottles.
  • Join a community clean-up event. Check with your city, town, or municipality to see if there’s a clean-up happening near you. If there isn’t, gather your friends and family and start your own!
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Why LED?

You may have heard that LEDs are the latest and greatest lighting products on the market, but maybe you’re still working through your stockpile of old and inefficient incandescent bulbs.

Here are 4 reasons why you should make the switch to LEDs right now:

  1. They last up to 25 years, while incandescent bulbs only last about a year. This means they don’t need to be replaced as often, which means fewer bulbs in our landfills.
  2. They use up to 80% less electricity than incandescents. Every LED you install can save you up to $4 per year on your energy bill.
  3. They’re versatile. LED bulbs and fixtures come in a variety of shapes, styles, and colours. Whether you need an ambient fixture for your foyer or a bright task light for your workspace, there’s an LED for your needs.
  4. They can be smart. Smart LED bulbs can be connected to your Wi-Fi and controlled from your smartphone or tablet. Some can even change colour and be synced to movies and music.
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Green landscaping

It’s that time of year again – the sun is shining, the snow is melting, and Manitobans are starting to think about their lawns and gardens. Heading outside and getting your hands dirty is a great way to kick off the new season.

But before jumping right in to planting, it’s a good idea to consider the environment. A yard full of plants and trees may look great, but maintaining so much greenery requires lots of water and fertilizer. What’s a person with a green thumb to do?

The answer lies in green landscaping. Green landscaping means creating and caring for your yard in a way that reduces harmful impacts on the environment. It’s about making choices that minimize your use of water and chemicals, optimize your outdoor spaces, and reduce your water and energy bills.

Green landscaping is easier than you might think. Here are some pointers to get you started:

  • Plant sun-loving trees or shrubs on the south side of your home. They’ll provide shade in the summer and act as a windbreak when the temperature drops.
  • Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and helps soil retain moisture.
  • Keep your grass clippings on your lawn after mowing. These clippings provide natural fertilizer for your lawn by returning moisture and nutrients to the soil.
  • Reduce your water consumption by using a rain barrel that collects rainwater from your downspout. This water can be used for your plants, flowers, and lawn.
  • Start composting. Many food scraps can be composted to create nutrient-rich soil for your plants and flowers. It also helps to divert waste from our landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Get your home ready for summer

Summer is just around the corner! You’re probably ready for the heat and the sunshine – but is your home? We’ve compiled a few tips to help you get your home ready for the warm weather:

  1. Spring cleaning? While you’re washing your windows, take a look at their condition. Look for signs of dry rot and water damage. If needed, re-caulk your windows and replace damaged weatherstripping.
  2. Take a look at your insulation before it gets too hot outside. Check for wet spots and obstructed vents. And, if your home was built before 1999, you may want to consider adding insulation to your attic.
  3. Install a smart thermostat. It can be controlled using an app on your smartphone, so you can adjust your home’s temperature whether you’re in bed or at the lake.
  4. Now is the best time to clean and service your air conditioning unit. A well-maintained AC unit will cool your home faster, last longer, and require fewer costly repairs. Also be sure to remove any covers and brush or vacuum away leaves, branches, grass, or debris that might have blown into the unit.
  5. Change your furnace air filter every 2 to 3 months so your HVAC system can operate more efficiently.
  6. Plan meals you can prepare on the grill. You’ll save electricity, keep your kitchen cool, and get to enjoy our beautiful summer weather!
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Get out and get green

We’re lucky to live in Manitoba. From the sweeping prairie landscape to urban forests, our province offers so many places to explore. This spring, we here at Efficiency Manitoba challenge you to get out and enjoy the province’s wealth of natural spaces.

**EAT AND SHOP LOCAL**

Few things are more delicious than farm-fresh produce. This spring, visit one of the many farmers’ markets in the province. Not only will you be supporting the local economy, but you’ll get to enjoy the sunshine and do your grocery shopping all at once. Learn more about homegrown produce and find a market in your area.

**GET INTO MOTION**

Did you know that The Great Trail (formerly called the Trans Canada Trail) is the world’s longest recreational trail? Challenge yourself to walk, run, or cycle The Great Trail in Manitoba. Be sure to stop at the historical sites, parks, and attractions you discover along the way. Find a trail near you today.

**DISCOVER MORE**

For more information and events, check out the links below.

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I just moved into a new house and it has a heat recovery ventilator. How do I use it?

As of 2011, all new homes are required to have a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). An HRV brings in outside air, which is pre-heated by heat recovered from outgoing warm exhaust air. The heated outside air is distributed to the home to replace air that is exhausted from the kitchen and bathrooms.

Many HRVs only have basic controls, where the fans run continuously on low speed and never shut off. Wall switches in the bathrooms and kitchen and a humidity control are typically used to switch the HRV fans to high speed.

In homes with low occupancy, running the HRV continuously at low speed may be excessive and result in uncomfortably low humidity and higher heating costs. Although 60% of the exhaust air heat is recovered, there is still a cost to heat the other 40% that is lost. If this is your situation, consider installing an advanced HRV control, which allows the HRV fan to be off for 20 or 40 minutes of every hour. Advanced controls can help you save money while matching your ventilation needs to your lifestyle.

Denton
Mechanical Engineer

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR OUR ENERGY TEAM?

Send us an email, and your question may be featured in an upcoming post.

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