Energy audit grants
Have you ever wondered about the environmental impact of your operations? Are you confused about all these eco-options? Have your ever thought about putting solar panels on your rooftop, or installing an energy-efficient heater or how about purchasing compact fluorescent light bulbs that use much less wattage?
If you’ve been pondering these and other questions about the ecological footprint of your facilities, talk to us. We’ll help you find answers and set some priorities. Vancity offers a free advisory service for business and not-for-profit members, including housing societies and stratas..
Saving energy means saving money
You care about your ecological footprint, but you also have budgets to manage and bills to pay. The good news is that saving energy saves money. Businesses, stratas and housing complexes that upgrade their boilers or lighting systems save money each year on heat and hydro bills. Upgrades can also reduce maintenance costs over the long term.
How much will it cost me to ‘green’ my organization?
We’ll help you figure that out. We can do an assessment of your present energy consumption, and identify ways to reduce your energy bills. We’ll give you an estimate of both the costs and benefits, so you have the information you need to set priorities and make decisions.
Accessing financing to improve your energy efficiency
Improving your building or operational energy performance can require capital. Need financing to implement your energy-efficiency improvements? Talk to us. We partner with B.C. Hydro’s PowerSmart program and Terasen to help you access rebates on energy-efficient building technologies. And, we offer loans at competitive rates and terms that make energy upgrades and environmental improvements affordable.
Vancity worked with St. James Community Service Society to help reduce their energy costs while improving lighting quality in eight of their office and multi-unit residential buildings.
Vancity’s Green Business manager identified energy-efficient lighting solutions and assisted with access to $11,000 in rebates from B.C. Hydro. Vancity Community Business Banking then offered preferred financing terms.
Today, St. James is saving more than $16,000/yr in energy costs. The upgrades will pay for themselves in less than two years.
The cost savings have helped St. James to strengthen their financial sustainability and has freed up much -needed capital that can be re-invested in their housing activities – benefiting hundreds of local residents.