BC non-profit societies that own and or manage multi-unit residential buildings, now have greater accessibility to federal grants when making improvements to building energy efficiency. City Green Solutions, an enterprising non-profit that specializes in improving the energy efficiency of affordable housing, is now offering multi-unit residential energy assessment services through professionally certified energy advisors.

With energy prices on the rise and the looming introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), now is the best time for non-profits to take advantage of grants to reduce the upfront capital costs of building energy efficiency improvements.

• provide immediate reductions in utility expenses and building operation and maintenance costs,
• improve building integrity as a sound strategy for managing the value of long-term assets,
• protect housing providers from future rises in home heating costs, as well as carbon pricing schemes that may disproportionally affect housing providers,
• reduce tenant utility bills, and
• improve comfort and indoor air quality.

• heating and cooling systems and control measures,
• ventilation systems,
• domestic hot water systems,
• insulation,
• air sealing,
• Energy Star windows and doors, and
• water conservation.

• a maximum of 3 stories above grade,
• between 4 and 20 units, and
• a maximum building footprint of no more than 600m2.

1. Call the City Green office at 1.866.381.9995 to book an assessment with a qualified advisor.
2. City Green energy advisor visits building.
3. Energy assessment report is completed and sent to housing provider.
4. Housing provider completes work.
5. City Green schedules follow-up visit, confirms work and applies for grant.
6. Housing provider receives cheque in the mail.

City Green Solutions realizes that maintaining the health and energy performance of a building is one of the best ways to protect and sustain a building’s value. Our multi-unit residential building assessment services will assist the non-profit sector to access grants, improve building energy efficiency, and reduce energy costs. Planning for energy efficiency now, will help housing providers to save and invest in the future.

If your building is located in the Southern Vancouver Island region or the Lower Mainland please call the City Green office toll free at 1.866.381.9995 and ask our friendly client services staff to direct you to Affordable Warmth BC to explain our multi-unit residential energy assessment services available in January 2010. Also, please visit our Affordable Warmth BC site www.affordablewarmth.ca to find out which energy efficiency programs and services your building may be eligible for.