Free upgrades can improve energy efficiency in your condo building

Article from Volume 12, Issue Number 3, 2025

Free upgrades can improve energy efficiency in your condo building

By Roberto Montanino | Other articles by Roberto Montanino | Feature

A condominium building’s energy efficiency can be increased and utility bills reduced through Efficiency Manitoba’s In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program.

The full-service program enables condominiums to cut down on energy consumption and costs, benefiting both residents and the environment.

The program offers two levels of upgrades:

Basic upgrades include free A-line LED bulbs, bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators, showerheads, shower timers and other energy-saving items, installed at no cost.
Premium upgrades include all basic upgrades, plus incentives of up to $250 per suite, which goes toward the installation of smart thermostats and advanced heat recovery ventilator (HRV) controls by a certified electrician.

For example, Winnipeg’s Hazelview Properties has achieved “Green Building” certification through a combination of BOMA BEST’s building certification program and the Canadian Certified Rental Building Program for all the buildings it manages.

By participating in Efficiency Manitoba’s In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program, Hazelview Properties’ apartment buildings at 15 Arden Avenue and 33 Hargrave Street were able to improve their lighting while reducing energy and water consumption in their suites, helping them to achieve their sustainability goals.

Through the In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program, the two buildings received a total of 1,268 new LED bulbs, 189 bathroom faucet aerators, 298 kitchen faucet aerators, 401 showerheads, 360 shower timers and 360 window weatherization kits, all at no cost.

With the suite upgrades, not only does Hazelview Properties now have a reduced environmental footprint, but it can also expect to save more than 165,000 kilowatt hours of electricity and more than 65,000 cubic metres in natural gas every year. This translates to nearly $25,000 in estimated annual savings on its energy bills.

“By implementing impactful programs like the In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program, we can make meaningful reductions in energy consumption. While we are still in the early phases of analyzing our utility data after installing the In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program, we can already see tangible results,” says Trevor McLeod, sustainability manager of Hazelview Properties.

Participating in the program is easy. A condo board applies, and Efficiency Manitoba takes care of the rest.

Once the condo’s application and eligibility have been verified, Efficiency Manitoba’s third-party service provider, Ecofitt, will contact the board to review the process, gather building information and schedule the upgrade installation.

Ecofitt will complete the upgrades and assess the condo’s eligibility for smart thermostat and advanced HRV control upgrades for each suite. If a premium upgrade is selected, Ecofitt will arrange for a certified electrician to complete the installation. Efficiency Manitoba will provide incentives of $100 per smart thermostat and $150 per advanced HRV control (up to $250 per suite).

Energy Manitoba’s In-Suite Energy Efficiency Program promises condos a more sustainable and cost-effective future.

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

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