Home Energy Help

Low-income residents, including seniors on a fixed income, may have difficulty providing the up-front financing and managing the contractors needed to complete home energy improvements. As a result, their homes may be less energy efficient, causing them to spend a higher percentage of their income on energy costs.

“This program is a terrific example of what we can accomplish when we work in partnership,” said Toronto Mayor David Miller. “I applaud Toronto Hydro and Enbridge for joining us to make this leading environmental program a reality. We're not only assisting our most vulnerable, we’re decreasing our emissions and creating a cleaner, healthier and more equitable City for everyone.”

GreenSaver, a non-profit organization focused on energy conservation, is delivering Home Energy Help and will manage the renovations for qualifying residents, from beginning to end, using its team of professional contractors.

Improvements may include draft-proofing, new low-flow toilets, insulation and heating equipment upgrades. While at each home, GreenSaver will also provide items to reduce electricity use, such as power bars, compact fluorescent light bulbs, timers and clothes drying racks.

“Helping customers reduce natural gas use through energy efficiency has been a long-time commitment for us,” said Janet Holder, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. “Enbridge is building on that commitment through this collaboration and we’re thrilled to work together to help Torontonians in need save energy and money.”

“Providing Torontonians with the proper resources to manage their electricity bills is a top priority for Toronto Hydro,” said Anthony Haines, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Hydro Corporation. “Through partnerships with leaders such as Enbridge and the City of Toronto, Toronto Hydro will continue to empower customers with the tools necessary to save money and help the environment.”

To qualify for Home Energy Help, homeowners must meet the income criteria and be a Toronto Hydro and Enbridge customer. Renters can also take part, as long as they pay their own utility bills and obtain their landlord’s consent.

Home Energy Help aims to service a minimum of 100 low-income residents in 2010 and 200 in 2011.

Once complete, participants are expected to save an estimated $300 to $500 on their annual energy bill. According to City of Toronto research, by upgrading 300 homes, the program is also expected to save about 328,000 Kilowatt hour of electricity and 415,000 cubic metres of natural gas each year, reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 1,200 tonnes - an amount equivalent to powering two residential city blocks.

To read the media backgrounder for more details on who is eligible for Home Energy Help, visit http://www.toronto.ca/environment/home_energy_help/pdf/help_backgrounder.pdf.

For further program information, visit http://www.toronto.ca/home-energy-help or call GreenSaver at 416-203-3106.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Enbridge Gas Distribution has a 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2010 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2010 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to about 1.9 million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information visit http://www.enbridgegas.com.

Toronto Hydro Corporation is a holding company, which wholly-owns two principal subsidiaries:
- Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited - which distributes electricity and engages in Conservation and Demand Management (“CDM”) activities; and
- Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. - which provides street lighting services.
The principal business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries is the distribution of electricity by Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited. Toronto Hydro-Electric System owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 690,000 customers located in the City of Toronto.  It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately
18% of the electricity consumed in Ontario.

GreenSaver is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to environmental energy efficiency offering energy audits, insulation solutions, new technologies like solar and province-wide energy conservation programs. They have pioneered Ontario residential energy conservation for 25 years with economically viable and environmentally friendly measures to help individuals and organizations with their energy needs (http://www.greensaver.org).

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