Sweet suite savings

Article from Volume 11, Issue Number 3, 2024

By Roberto Montanino | Other articles by Roberto Montanino | Regular Column

SAVING ENERGY IN MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

If you own or manage a multi-unit residential property, you can make energy efficiency upgrades through Efficiency Manitoba’s In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program. These improvements can lower energy use and bills, which is good for you and the environment.

The program offers free basic upgrades, including A-line LED bulbs, bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators, showerheads and shower timers. And it’s not just the energy-saving devices that are free — so is the installation! Efficiency Manitoba’s program service provider, Ecofitt, will install the devices at no charge.

Efficiency Manitoba also offers incentives of up to $250 per suite for a certified electrician to install smart thermostats and advanced heat recovery ventilator (HRV) controls.

How much can you save on your energy bills?

Two buildings in Selkirk recently participated in Manitoba Energy’s In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program. Cambridge House and Woodland Courts received showerheads, bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators, and LED bulbs for all 87 suites in the buildings.

Tracy Flores, the manager of both buildings, said that together the buildings will save about 13,900 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 8,400 cubic metres (m3) of natural gas thanks to the upgrades. “These energy savings combined are almost enough energy to power four homes for a whole year! They’ll also save a combined 1.3 million litres of water annually.” Best of all, Flores says, the upgrades were entirely free of charge.

“We were very impressed with (Efficiency Manitoba’s contracted service provider,) Ecofitt. From the start, they answered any questions we had about the program. When it came to the actual rollout, they were very efficient, considering they had more than 80 suites to upgrade. Our two buildings consist of an assisted living facility and senior housing and, I must say, Ecofitt was very courteous, pleasant and respectful with our tenants.”

Efficiency Manitoba will help property managers and owners of multi-unit residential buildings improve the energy efficiency of the suites in their buildings. It offers two levels of upgrades so you can pick the type that’s right for you.

Roberto Montanino is the manager of commercial programs at Efficiency Manitoba and can be reached via email at Roberto.Montanino@efficiencyMB.ca.