Energy demand side management, lowered energy use through informed consumption

Would you like a real time energy monitor installed on your home? Falls Brook Centre (FBC) is installing monitors in 60 homes within Carleton County in order to  help reduce power bills by 10% over the course of a year.  A consultant from FBC will sit down with home owners and provide recommendations for individual homes. The service is free of charge and will help save on energy bills.

Natural Resources Canada estimates that phantom loads (energy wasted by electronics while they’re not being used) account for 6.3 billion kilowatt hours every year. This costs us over $600 million, most of which is avoidable if you know what to unplug. Jason Juurlink, Renewable Energy Coordinator at Falls Brook Centre is confident that installing monitors will help reduce power bills and reduce emissions at the same time. “The energy monitors let you see how much power you are using at any given time; they also tell you how much the electricity is costing per hour. When homeowners see the numbers in real time they almost always reduce their usage and that saves them money and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”

Anybody who is interested is encouraged to attend a free workshop that will show homeowners  how to figure out if renovations or new home upgrades are worth the expense.  The workshop, entitled “Does Your Home Renovation Make Cents?” will be held from 6 to 8pm, November 16th at the NBCC campus in Woodstock. All are welcome.

Anybody who is interested in having and energy monitor installed or attending to home renovations workshop should reserve their spot by contacting Jason Juurlink by email at Jason@fallsbrookcentre.ca or by phone at 375-4310.

Jason Juurlink is with the Falls Brook Centre.