Retrofits focus of EarthCare breakfast

Sudbury hosted an Earthcare breakfast on home energy retrofits, with experts advising homeowners on efficiency upgrades, rebates and local supports.

On Tuesday morning, Greater Sudbury hosted an EarthCare breakfast at Natura on Kelly Lake Road.

The focus was on home energy retrofits to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

Panelists shared advice about how homeowners can make their homes more energy efficient through retrofits.

reThink Green hosted the panel through its Green Economy North Program, focused on sustainability and climate resiliency.

“I hope that they realize that retrofits are possible, that they are maybe not as intimidating as they thought they were,” said Leigha Bedford, reThink Green’s executive director.

“And that there is a collaboration -- of community groups, of our municipality, of business professionals, of energy auditors -- we are working together to make this process more efficient and easier to navigate.”

Local options exist

The breakfast was hosted by the city with another message that local options exist.

“The idea of retrofitting our homes to be more resilient and energy efficient, it ties in with the city’s climate action,” said Jennifer Babin-Fenske, the city’s climate change coordinator.

“It also ties in with our affordable housing action, as well. So, there is two topics -- two of our priorities that this ties into.”

Panelist Brendan McClellan is a registered energy advisor who does energy audits on homes and buildings. He also helps people navigate through retrofit options and available rebates.

“There is a variety of programs available right now, mostly through Enbridge, and save on energy,” McClellan said.

“There are several different streams with different eligibility requirements. So certainly, getting some advice to find out which stream and what rebates are the best fit for you makes your decisions easier.”

He said rebate programs are based on following through on a minimum of two recommended upgrades. He adds that retrofitting not only makes a home sustainable, but can also save homeowners money.