FEI-FEVI 2010 EEC Report filed March 31, 2011 - FortisBC

FORTISBC ENERGY INC. AND FORTISBC ENERGY (VANCOUVER ISLAND) INC.
2010 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION ANNUAL REPORT
Description
Goals
changes.
Although ESKs are most often mailed to individual participants, there are also
options that allow non-profit housing societies and First Nation bands to apply on
behalf of their tenants and receive a bursary. The bursary (currently administered
through BC Hydro) allows the society or band to hire an individual to install the
kits for their tenants.
Currently, customers must call to apply for the program. In 2011, an online form
will be created that is expected to enhance the application process and reduce
administration costs associated with the telephone application channel.
The ESK is a bundle of easy to install energy saving measures and is delivered
to the participants’ home free of charge.
• Make energy efficiency more accessible to low income customers by
addressing the key barriers to energy efficiency in this sector (including
affordability, availability, and awareness).
• Provide low income customers with the opportunity to reduce their energy
consumption, which will also reduce their energy bills and GHG emissions.
• Enable low income participants to self-install energy efficiency measures in
their homes.
• Create a culture of conservation through increased knowledge and
awareness of conservation behaviours.
• Provide energy savings for the Companies.
Implementation
Administration BC Hydro, Consumer Response Marketing
Communications
Evaluation Strategy
The main communication channels used in 2010 were bill inserts and print ads in
free community newspapers. Through BC Hydro, we are also reaching
participants through food banks and a promotional letter to the clientele of the
Ministry of Housing and Social Development.
Evaluation of the savings of the gas measures within the ESK is based on
engineering calculations and third party studies. Further, we are able to leverage
BC Hydro’s evaluation of the ESK, which includes surveys to participants to
confirm assumptions with respect to installation rates, free-ridership, and the
popularity of various measures.
6.4.2.2.2 2010 ESK Program Results
In the first six months of the ESK program, over 5,200 participants have qualified for the
program and received ESKs. This is a very strong response and reinforces that there are great
opportunities for providing meaningful programs to our low income customers. Because this
program has a very simple process and most of the administration of the program is performed
by BC Hydro, the Companies’ costs are low and the energy savings are high overall. This
resulted in a high TRC score of 2.3.
SECTION 6: CONSERVATION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS Page 117