News Flash Home
The original item was published from 11/13/2019 10:45:47 AM to 11/13/2019 10:47:45 AM.

News Flash

City News & Public Notices

Posted on: November 13, 2019

[ARCHIVED] Successful Seniors Energy Efficiency Program in Nelson extending into 2020

Seniors take the chill out of winter with home energy upgrades

Over 100 seniors have signed up to have free energy efficiency installations completed


November 13, 2019 

Nelson, BC Over 100 seniors living in and around Nelson won’t be feeling the chill of winter, regardless of what the weather throws at them. That’s because they’ve had their home energy efficiency improved for free, through an initiative of Nelson Hydro’s EcoSave Energy Retrofits Program.

The Seniors Energy Efficiency Program is a partnership between Nelson Hydro and the West Kootenay EcoSociety to help senior citizen Nelson Hydro customers install basic home energy efficient materials such as weatherstripping, LED light bulbs, outlet insulators, water-efficient faucet aerators, and showerheads. The program is free with trained volunteers to do the installations. 

Erin Thompson is the EcoSociety’s coordinator for the new program who is helping seniors be more comfortable at home and save money on energy. In Erin’s role, she signs up the participants, trains the volunteers, and assists with the installations. 

“The seniors we’ve worked with are so appreciative of this program. Our seven volunteers have installed more than 250 outlet insulators, almost 50 LED bulbs, and I don’t even know how many feet of weatherstripping.” Says Erin Thompson. “We also check hot water tank settings, fridge, and freezer settings, and adjust them if necessary,”

Local senior Margaret Stegman says "I want to encourage other seniors to sign up. I wasn't sure what to expect and was relieved that Erin was so easy to work with. She just went around quietly, making our home more energy-efficient, with no muss, no fuss, and without needing us to participate. The whole process took only a couple of hours. She left us with peace of mind, a cozier house - and a lovely, good-bye smile."

Carmen Proctor has been managing the EcoSave program for over seven years and has helped hundreds of residents improve the energy efficiency in their homes.

“The idea came to me as I noticed a need here in Nelson for seniors to get small handyman jobs done. It can be quite challenging to find someone to come in and do the simple things that a senior may not be able to do themselves.” Says Carmen Proctor, EcoSave Coordinator. “These small fixes can add up and make a big difference on your utility bill, plus adding comfort by taking away cold drafts.”

The program target was to have 100 senior Nelson Hydro customers sign up, and this has already been exceeded. The program has been extended into 2020 with the hope of reaching over 200 senior residents. If you are a senior citizen Nelson Hydro customer and think you could benefit from the Seniors Energy Efficiency Program, please contact Erin at (250)354-1909 or visit www.ecosociety.ca/campaign/seniors-weatherization to sign-up today.


Not a senior but interested in saving energy? Learn more at www.rdck.ca/reep.

Media Contact:  

Carmen Proctor - (250) 509-2021

 

###

Erin Thompson, Senior Energy Efficiency Program Coordinator installs a new water-efficient showerhead in a local senior’s home.Seniors Program shower head install

Volunteer Alyssa Nebel installs weather stripping before winter arrives.Seniors Program weatherstripping install


Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in City News & Public Notices

4944F8B5-CD35-4F52-9396-15C68F9E4D3D

Water Quality Advisory Rescinded

Posted on: May 10, 2023
Council Highlights Social Media FB (Instagram Post (Square))

Council Highlights for April 2023

Posted on: April 24, 2023
Strategic Plan 2023 (Instagram Post (Square)) (1)

OCP Advisory Committee - APPLY TODAY

Posted on: April 14, 2023
2023 BudgetOpen House

Budget Open House - Join us!

Posted on: March 23, 2023
Council Highlights Social Media FB (1)

March 2023 - Council Highlights

Posted on: March 21, 2023
Carmen Proctor Bridge

A Message from Mayor & Council

Posted on: March 17, 2023
gyropool_TimDavis

Notice of Work - Gyro Park Bridge Removal

Posted on: February 14, 2023
Notice to Public

Notice of Work from Public Works

Posted on: January 11, 2023
How do you manage your food waste Survey 2022

SURVEY: How do you manage your food waste?

Posted on: November 17, 2022
Leaf Removal

Leaf Collection in the Downtown Core

Posted on: November 16, 2022
Nelson_City_Council_019_2022 Group Photo

Meet our new Council!

Posted on: November 10, 2022
Nelson waterfront with pier

August 26, 2022 Pier Update

Posted on: August 26, 2022
December 2017

City of Nelson Newsletter - December 2017

Posted on: December 21, 2017