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
• In driving the market, further relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and
installers of natural gas heating systems.
This Furnace Scrap-it program, if implemented, will help remove financial barriers
preventing homeowners from upgrading to ENERGY STAR® furnaces. This
program is in the early stages of development and still requires discussions with a
large number of stakeholders. The Companies are evaluating available market and
technical data to establish a sound business case and cost benefit analysis before
proceeding. If research suggests the program is viable, the Companies will consider
launching a Furnace Scrap-It program in Q2 2012.
Implementation
Administration To be determined based on program direction.
Communications
Evaluation
Strategy
Integrated marketing plan with financial partners and other stakeholders will be
proposed during business case development.
TBD
Target Audience Builders and developers
3.4.3.4 EnerGuide 80 New Construction Program
ENERGUIDE 80 NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM
Duration Proposed launch date of Q2 2011 and ongoing
Incentive Under development
Partners BC Hydro, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Ministry of Housing, and CHBA Built Green
Background
Overview
The Province of British Columbia is in the process of evaluating and developing new building
code standards that would move the current EnerGuide 77 efficiency rating to a new target of
EnerGuide 80 for new home construction. There is potential for the Companies to provide
incentives to encourage the early adoption of EnerGuide 80 ratings for new home
construction. FortisBC is working with internal and external stakeholders to understand the
implications of the transition from the current BC Building Code to new EnerGuide 80
(EGH80) regulations scheduled for the fall of 2012.
As new building codes will not take effect until 2012, now is the time to encourage builders
and developers, through incentives, to begin building homes to the EnerGuide 80 standards.
Ideally, incentives will help builders and developers define the prescriptive measures that will
achieve EnerGuide 80 standards and prepare the market for the new building code changes.
Through program implementation, FortisBC will gain a greater understanding about
recommended measures, their costs and benefits, and how to build the larger strategic vision
of lifecycle costs of natural gas heated homes versus electric. Through financial support,
training programs for builders, and outreach to residential customers about the merits of
efficient homes, FortisBC will support builders and developers in the transition to EGH80.
Beyond EEC’s New Construction Program, participation in the introduction of new building
codes and standards are key to positioning natural gas attachments and the introduction of
alternative energy systems. With the provincial mandate of Net Zero Ready homes by 2020,
FortisBC must be positioned to play a role in these fundamental shifts in energy usage for
SECTION 3: RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM AREA Page 42