How energy efficient is your co-op?
Do you have information about your co-op building's energy performance? Without this important data, co-ops have to scramble to locate building information so they can apply for funding designed to reduce energy consumption. What does this mean to your co-o – missed funding opportunities, and poor building energy performance that may lead to higher energy bills.

How can our survey help?
Over the last couple of years, co-ops have benefitted from the federal government’s Renovation and Retrofit program. Killarney Gardens Housing Co-op, for example, received over $2 million in government grants. The co-op was able to move quickly on this opportunity because it had information on the condition of its buildings, and an action plan that highlighted work that needed to be completed. By responding to the survey your co-op will have more information on your buildings an may be better positioned to act quickly on valuable (but often limited) funding.

CHF BC has partnered with City Green Solutions, an enterprising non-profit that works to develop building energy efficiency solutions for regular market and affordable housing, and eaga Canada, a social enterprise that does energy efficiency work for low=income households. With backing from BC Hydro, Terasen Gas and BC Housing, CHF BC hopes to get a better understanding of your housing co-op’s current building energy efficiency so we can:

• Connect you co-op to the most up-to-date funding and program opportunities.
• Tailor programs and services offered through CHF BC to match the current state of your housing.
• Help housing co-ops across the province move towards greater environmental sustainability and their 2020 Vision targets.
• Advocate effectively on your co-op’s behalf.

The Co-Op Housing Energy Inventory Survey is a one-time opportunity for your housing co-op to:

• Measure your energy use.
• Calculate possible energy savings.
• Compare your co-op’s energy use to other similar buildings.
• Be ready for funding opportunities to make energy efficiency upgrades.
• Position your co-op to take advantage of free energy efficiency retrofits that will help take your co-op closer to its 2020 Vision goals!

You can expect a letter from us this fall inviting your co-op to take part in the survey. In the meantime, if you’d like more information about the survey, please contact Fiona Jackson fjackson@chf.bc.ca or 604-255-4590 ext. 139.