SWEEPING IN THE SAVINGS THROUGH OUR INDIGENOUS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM
We take the guesswork out of energy efficiency for your small business by providing full-service solutions.
When Winnipeg’s Asham Curling Supplies was looking to make energy efficiency upgrades to their store, we were there to help. By taking part in our Indigenous Small Business Program, Asham upgraded their lighting for free.
Whether you’re First Nation or Red River Métis, our Indigenous Small Business Program covers labour and material costs so business owners can focus on what they do best: serving the community.
ARE YOU A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER?
If you’re the owner of a small business and looking to make energy efficiency upgrades, we can help! Our small business programs are full-service solutions to help your business become more energy efficient. We’ll install free basic energy-saving products and complete a free lighting and pitched roof attic insulation assessment of your business to see if you could benefit from a Premium Upgrade.
HOW BUILDING ENVELOPE UPGRADES CAN SAVE YOU ENERGY & MONEY
An energy-efficient building envelope — the roof, walls, windows, and doors of a building — is one of the most effective ways to save energy in condominium buildings and reduce energy bills for owners and residents. By separating the outside environment from the inside, the building envelope ensures that occupants can enjoy optimal comfort no matter the season.
Our Building Envelope Program offers financial incentives to owners who complete energy efficiency upgrades to their commercial buildings. We provide incentives for roof and wall insulation, window and door upgrades, and curtain wall upgrades.
BENEFITS OF BUILDING ENVELOPE UPGRADES
A high-performing building envelope is crucial in any climate. This becomes even more important in regions like Manitoba, which sees extremes in both heat and cold. In addition to keeping warm air in during the winter and warm air out during the summer, a strong building envelope protects residents from snow, rain, lightning, and strong winds. By reducing condensation and drafts and lowering heating and cooling costs, an upgraded building envelope helps condo building owners and suite owners save energy, money, and the environment.
Building envelope upgrades improve the airtightness of a space. They can improve indoor air quality for residents because it provides a barrier to outdoor pollutants such as dust, smoke, and pollen. Furthermore, residents can enjoy reduced noise since airtightness helps to soundproof a building, something that benefits condo suite owners who may have hundreds of neighbours.
A high-performing building envelope enhances a building’s durability and is able to withstand Manitoba’s varying climate. Building envelope upgrades can also improve building aesthetic and value.
Overall, these benefits lead to improved comfort. Not only will current residents be more inclined to stay, but potential future residents may also be drawn to the energy-efficient and money-saving features of the building.
HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE
Through our Building Envelope Program, we’ll cover up to 100% of roof and wall insulation material costs, up to 100% of the incremental cost of a punched or in-fill window replacement, and up to 100% of the incremental cost of the glazing on a door replacement. Eligible doors include sliding patio, garden, single-swinging, rolling, and folding style.
For curtain walls, we offer up to $3,000 in energy modelling support plus incentives for the upgrade or replacement.
We’re here to help you along the way, offering free technical support and advice throughout your project. Taking part in the Building Envelope Program saves you money not only in the short term with our incentives, but also in the long term, as you’ll see savings year after year on your energy bills.
START SAVING TODAY
To qualify for the Building Envelope Program, the building owner must be renovating an existing building that’s heated primarily with electricity or natural gas. Renovations must include energy efficiency upgrades.
A contractor or consultant can assist with the planning and scope of your project. We recommend speaking with and getting estimates from at least three contractors before deciding who’s the right fit for your project. Your chosen contractor must be a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier.
Once you apply, we’ll review your project and let you know your estimated incentive amount. We need to approve your project before any work starts.
For insulation projects, a minimum of 1,000 square feet of roof or wall insulation must be installed for each incentive application. For window and door projects, a minimum of 10 square metres of window or door area must be installed for each incentive application.
After your project is complete, submit the completion declaration and invoices to us and we’ll send you your incentive!
We offer a number of programs for condo building owners and suite owners. Before starting any energy efficiency project, be sure to check Efficiency Manitoba first.
A SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONE: EFFICIENCY MANITOBA CELEBRATES OVER ONE MILLION ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS REBATED AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS
Manitobans are encouraged to access instant rebates at select retail locations until November 16, 2023
Efficiency Manitoba is proud to announce the milestone achievement of having rebated over one million energy-saving products through their seasonal in-store instant product rebate campaigns. This translates into approximately 23.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity savings, positively contributing to Efficiency Manitoba’s energy savings targets. The electricity saved through the campaigns to date is enough to heat approximately 1,500 homes in Manitoba for one year.
As one of over 40 offers tailored to help Manitobans save energy and money, Efficiency Manitoba provides seasonal point-of-sale product rebates at participating retail locations. The objective of these particular product rebates is to encourage Manitobans to make purchases that will help them save money on their utility bills. Via Efficiency Manitoba’s coordination with retailers throughout the province, the prices of select products are reduced instantly at the point of purchase, making participation easy and convenient.
”Providing rebates on energy-saving products is a great way to make life more affordable for families while helping Manitoba meet our climate targets,” said Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “I look forward to working with Efficiency Manitoba to explore further ways to expand access to sustainable options for Manitobans.”
Instant rebates are currently being offered on over 1,100 individual products, providing a wide variety of options for consumers. Eligible product categories include ENERGY STAR® certified specialty LED bulbs and fixtures, dimmers, motion sensors, timers, outdoor plug timers, energy-efficient showerheads, window and door insulating film kits, weatherstripping, and ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats. Beyond energy efficiency, these products also provide additional benefits like improved lighting quality, reduced drafts, and a more comfortable living environment.
“We’re very excited that so many Manitobans are seeing the value of making energy-efficient purchasing decisions,” said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. “The purchase of energy-efficient products might feel small, but as made apparent by this milestone, the cumulative effects are making a significant impact on reducing energy consumption in Manitoba. This achievement is made possible by the participation of our retail partners across Manitoba, and we’re grateful for all the hard work they put in to make each of our instant rebate campaigns successful.”
Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Costco, Federated Co-operatives, Home Depot, Home Hardware, McMunn and Yates, and WM Dyck & Sons are participating in the current campaign, totaling 79 retail locations in over 40 Manitoba communities. Retailers and Efficiency Manitoba work together closely to make the shopping experience as straightforward as possible for customers. All retailers receive Efficiency Manitoba-branded point-of-purchase materials to label eligible products and promote the instant rebate offer in general, increasing customer awareness and encouraging the sale of energy-saving technologies.
“Participating in Efficiency Manitoba’s instant rebate campaigns has boosted our sales and we’ve received positive feedback from our customers,” said Arthur Zotovas, Plumbing and Electrical Sales at WM Dyck & Sons in Niverville. “Efficiency Manitoba has designed their rebates to be easy to understand for both our business and customers by providing us with great signage that we display across our store, and their representatives answer all our questions with swiftness. I don’t think we’d be seeing the type of sales we’ve had if it wasn’t for these rebates. It’s a great initiative for our customers to save money and make their homes more energy efficient.”
Efficiency Manitoba’s current instant rebate campaign runs until November 16. Eligible products are available at select participating locations of the listed retailers while quantities last. The specific selection of eligible products varies by retailer and store location — see store for details. A list of eligible products and participating retail locations can be found at efficiencyMB.ca/instantrebates.
One million rebated products, by the numbers*
*Sales figures and rebate dollars are approximations based on interim sales data provided by participating retailers. Energy and bill savings figures are based on averages from historical consumption data and current energy rates respectively.
About Efficiency Manitoba
Efficiency Manitoba is Manitoba’s Crown corporation dedicated to energy efficiency. With legislated long-term energy savings targets to achieve, the organization has over 40 diverse programs and offers available to help Manitobans save energy, money, and the environment.
BRILLIANT SAVINGS THROUGH OUR BUSINESS LIGHTING PROGRAM
Solomon’s Home, Garden & Gift, a local family-owned greenhouse in the heart of Portage la Prairie, recently got a lot brighter thanks to our Business Lighting Program!
Through our program, Solomon’s upgraded their old lighting to new, energy-efficient LED fixtures. Not only are they giving their plants even better lighting, they’re also saving on their energy bills. It’s expected that they’ll save an impressive 59,000 kWh of electricity annually and nearly $3,000 each year on their energy bills. Plus, we provided them with an incentive of $7,000 for their upgrade.
ARE YOU A BUILDING OWNER?
Building owners or their lighting suppliers or contractors can apply for financial incentives through the Business Lighting Program on our website. Check out our program guide to see our incentive rates and eligibility requirements.
We encourage you to join our supplier network. You’ll be listed on our website as a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier and can offer our programs to your customers. You’ll also have access to training opportunities and materials offered by our team of experts and can promote our energy efficiency programs in your advertising. The best part? It’s free to register and participate!
Keep your home warm and cozy this fall! Our programs and rebates make it easy for you to save energy and money throughout the heating season. Plus, it’s a great time to start planning your energy efficiency renovations for spring!
We’re also here to be your number one resource for expert energy efficiency advice. Our articles are full of tips to make small changes in your daily routine that can result in big changes to your energy bill, helping you save now and for years to come.
BEFORE PLANNING YOUR NEXT ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADE, CHECK EFFICIENCY MANITOBA FIRST.
FINANCE YOUR UPGRADES You can finance qualifying upgrades with Manitoba Hydro’s Home Energy Efficiency Loan. Not only can you choose your loan term, but…
When you get home from spending time in the crisp fall air, you’ll want a warm and cozy space to welcome you. By following these energy-saving tips, your home will be ready for cooler weather and you’ll save on heating costs!
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!
What’s the most suitable energy efficiency upgrade for your home? How can you save energy in the kitchen? How do you talk to kids about energy efficiency?
The latest edition of our magazine answers all these questions and more. Check your mailbox for a physical copy or click the magazine below to learn more about our programs and rebates, seasonal energy-saving tips, and other energy efficiency-related content (including a tasty recipe!).
EFFICIENCY MANITOBA TO INVEST UP TO $2 MILLION TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY ICE RINKS WITH ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING UPGRADES
Up to 100% funding will be provided to ice rink facilities in Manitoba, reducing energy consumption and operating costs
Efficiency Manitoba is launching a new limited-time initiative aiming to help communities throughout the province reduce their energy bills and operating costs. Through the Community Rink Lighting Initiative, the Crown corporation will be providing funding to help multiple facilities with indoor ice rinks replace their inefficient lighting, covering up to 100% of reasonable lighting equipment and associated labour costs.
“Rinks and arenas serve as the social hub of many communities. However, many of them are operating on limited revenue streams and may not otherwise be able to benefit from energy-saving upgrades without additional financial support,” said Kevin Klein, Minister of Environment and Climate and the Minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba. “We are very pleased to see Efficiency Manitoba provide funding to help improve the energy efficiency and lighting quality of these important community meeting and recreation spaces.”
From September 1 to December 1, 2023, Efficiency Manitoba will be accepting Expressions of Interest from eligible applicants. Submissions will be reviewed and funding will be allocated to a variety of projects with the intent of supporting urban, rural, remote, and First Nation communities throughout Manitoba.
“Replacing inefficient lighting in rinks can lead to significant electricity savings,” said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. “Energy-efficient lighting over ice surfaces provides an opportunity to generate even more energy savings than typical lighting upgrades. Not only will these facilities save money upfront with Efficiency Manitoba funding, but they’ll also benefit from long-term savings on their energy bills. The reduced financial strain resulting from our support is good for the facility and the entire community.”
The advantages of improved lighting in community centres and arenas go beyond saving energy and lower bills. The improved light quality and brightness also creates a more pleasant indoor environment; shadows and glares are diminished, which benefits spectators and athletes alike. More efficient lighting has a longer useful life, resulting in decreased maintenance costs and downtime required for replacement. Additionally, inefficient lighting in these facilities tends to operate concurrently with Manitoba Hydro’s peak delivery requirement; winter evenings when energy use is at its highest. Targeting these types of facilities with efficiency improvements helps reduce strain on the electric grid.
Ongoing work with four facilities served as the catalyst for the Community Rink Lighting Initiative. When working with Deer Lodge Curling Club in Winnipeg, the communities of St. Malo and St. Pierre, and the Morden Curling Club to complete energy efficiency upgrades, Efficiency Manitoba recognized the additional financial needs experienced by these types of facilities.
“The Deer Lodge Curling Club is extremely excited to be a part of this new initiative through Efficiency Manitoba and we are grateful that they are including us in this initiative,” said Corey Thompson, Deer Lodge Curling Club President. “Curling clubs are a challenging business to run as budgets are small and money for capital improvements is tough to come by—especially coming out of the pandemic. The outdated lighting fixtures are costing the curling club thousands of dollars each month, and being able to complete this project thanks to Efficiency Manitoba will make an immediate and impactful difference on the bottom line.”
“Communities are facing unprecedented challenges as they are still reeling from the impact of the recent pandemic; this has in turn greatly affected the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of these buildings. This Efficiency Manitoba initiative is a timely one as it will help operators achieve sustainability-focused energy solutions for their facilities,” said Dany Robidoux, Executive Director of Eco-West Canada.
Those who are interested in receiving funding through the Community Rink Lighting Initiative are encouraged to visit efficiencyMB.ca between September 1 and December 1, 2023 to submit their Expression of Interest, or email lighting@efficiencyMB.ca for more information.
About Efficiency Manitoba
Efficiency Manitoba is Manitoba’s Crown corporation dedicated to energy efficiency. With legislated long-term energy savings targets to achieve, the organization has over 40 diverse programs and offers available to help Manitobans save energy, money, and the environment.
PROJECT FEATURE: CARLYLE PRINTERS, SERVICE & SUPPLIES
SKY-HIGH SAVINGS THROUGH OUR BUILDING ENVELOPE PROGRAM
As one of the largest providers of printing supplies in Manitoba, the folks at Carlyle Printers, Service & Supplies Ltd. wanted to make their business more energy efficient. To save energy, help the environment (and reduce costs), they upgraded their roof insulation through our Building Envelope Program. Not only have they already realized savings of $3,600 on their energy bills in the first six months, we gave them an incentive of $11,800 for their upgrade.
The process was easy. We approved their project, Transcona Roofing did the work, and once we received the completion declaration, we sent the incentive straight to them. Watch this video to learn more about Carlyle Printers’ experience!
ARE YOU A BUILDING OWNER?
Building owners or contractors can apply for financial incentives through our Building Envelope Program on our website. We need to approve your project to make sure it meets the eligibility requirements, and you’ll receive your incentive after the upgrades are complete. Check out our incentive details to learn more.
We highly encourage you to join our supplier network. You’ll be listed on our website as a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier and can offer our programs to your customers. You’ll also have access to training opportunities and materials offered by our team of experts and can promote our energy efficiency programs in your advertising. The best part? It’s free to register and participate!
BRIGHT SAVINGS THROUGH OUR BUSINESS LIGHTING PROGRAM
Our Business Lighting Program offers financial incentives for buildings in the commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors for completing energy-efficient lighting upgrades in their buildings. Here’s how one recent customer upgraded their lighting through the program and realized some bright savings.
THE PROJECT
When Grace Christian Church was considering upgrading the lighting in their church, their contractor, Direct Connect Electric Inc. was eager to recommend our program.
Their project was extensive — not only did they upgrade the lighting on the exterior of the church to LEDs, they also tackled the interior of the building. They upgraded their old T12, halogen, and incandescent fixtures to new LED fixtures in the front entrance of the church, the chapel, as well as in the function rooms, washrooms, and maintenance room.
Plus, they took their savings a step further by installing occupancy sensors in the washrooms! Installing lighting controls, like occupancy sensors, results in even more savings. They sense when a space is occupied and turn the lights on when someone enters. When the space is empty, the lights are turned off, meaning energy isn’t being used when it’s not necessary.
THE SAVINGS
Because of their upgrade, Grace Christian Church will save over 90,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every year, which equates to an estimated $4,600 in annual energy bills savings. Plus, we were able to provide them with an incentive of over $10,000! This includes the 25% customer bonus we’re currently offering on all lighting projects.
Applications completed by the customer before March 31, 2024 will receive the 25% customer bonus — so if you’ve been considering a lighting upgrade, now’s the time to do it!
THE PROCESS
Applying for incentives is easy with our new online application system, myEM. Building owners can apply on their own, or their lighting suppliers or contractors can apply on their behalf.
Direct Connect Electric Inc., has been serving homes and businesses in Winnipeg since 2008. They helped Grace Christian Church every step of the way, from walking them through the benefits of our program, to applying on their behalf, completing the upgrade, and submitting the paperwork.
“Our electrician actually steered us toward Efficiency Manitoba. It was incredible how seamless and painless the process was from application to inspection and the short length of time it took to receive the incentive.”
Rick Hofer Manager, Grace Christian Church
Once the upgrade was complete, Grace Christian Church signed off on the completion and their incentive cheque was sent!
“It was incredibly easy”, says Hofer.
ARE YOU A BUILDING OWNER?
Building owners or their lighting suppliers or contractors can apply for financial incentives through the Business Lighting Program on our website. Check out our program guide to see our incentive rates and eligibility requirements.
ARE YOU A LIGHTING SUPPLIER OR CONTRACTOR?
We highly encourage you to join our supplier network. You’ll be listed on our website as a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier and can offer our programs to your customers. You’ll also have access to training opportunities and materials offered by our team of experts and can promote our energy efficiency programs in your advertising. The best part? It’s free to register and participate!
If you own or manage a multi-unit residential property, you can make energy efficiency upgrades through our In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program. These improvements can lead to lower energy usage and bills which are good for you, your tenants, and the environment.
The program offers free basic upgrades, including A-line LED bulbs, bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators, showerheads, shower timers, and other items. And it’s not just the energy-saving devices that are free — so is the installation! Our program service provider, Ecofitt, will install the devices at no extra charge.
We also offer incentives of up to $250 per suite toward the installation of smart thermostats and advanced heat recovery ventilator (HRV) controls by a certified electrician.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS?
Two buildings in Selkirk recently participated in our In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program. Cambridge House (300 Tudor Road) and Woodland Courts (387 Annie Street) received showerheads, bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators, and LED bulbs for all 87 suites in the buildings.
“When we received information about the program, we were interested in reducing our energy bills and addressing any inefficiencies we may have,” said Tracy Flores, the manager of both buildings.
Together, the buildings will save about 13,900 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 8,400 cubic metres (m3) of natural gas; these energy savings combined are almost enough energy to power four homes for a whole year! They’ll also save a combined 1.3 million litres of water annually. These energy and water savings are thanks to the energy efficiency upgrades that were entirely free of charge.
“We were very impressed with [Efficiency Manitoba’s contracted service provider] Ecofitt. From the start, they answered any questions we had about the program. When it came to the actual rollout, they were very efficient, considering they had over 80 suites to upgrade between our two buildings. Our two buildings consist of an assisted living facility and senior housing, and I must say, Ecofitt was very courteous, pleasant, and respectful with our tenants.”
Tracy Flores Building Manager
ARE YOU A PROPERTY MANAGER OR OWNER?
We help property managers and owners of multi-unit residential buildings improve the energy efficiency of the suites in their buildings. We offer two levels of upgrades so you can pick the type that’s right for you.
