The Energy Fair in Norman Wells

The Arctic Energy Alliance travelled to Norman Wells last week for their Energy Conservation Fair. 
Thursday night there was a delicious chilli night put on by the running club as well as a mini trade fair hosted by the Town of Norman Wells, NTPC, the NW Housing Corporation, Public Works and Services, Environment and Natural Resources and us (AEA).  There was also a presentation on community biomass district heating systems. 
Friday the school kids came through to do age appropriate energy related activities led by the Pembina Institute.  We also had an energy expert out speaking to people in their homes as well as a delicious lunch served by Santa’s Anonymous.
Saturday the trade show continued and the Arctic Energy Alliance put on a series of 4 different workshops, these were:

• safe and efficient wood heating,
• energy efficiency incentive program and energy star
• winterizing and air sealing your home
• heating with pellets

Throughout the fair there were prizes galore as well as the famious Christmas light exchange, an ever popular event swapping out old lights (110 W per string) for new LED lights (2W per string).  A huge thanks to those that helped out with the organizing and execution of this great event.

What easy and inexpensive things can I do to prepare my home for winter?

Click here for answer

Energy Fair in Norman Wells

I, Steve,  thoroughly enjoyed my time in Norman Wells conducting information sessions on “Winterizing Your Home” and “An Introduction to Heating with Wood Pellets”. Both of these sessions initiated questions and discussion that should help homeowners prepare their homes for winter and take a serious look at wood pellets as an alternate fuel.
On Friday I spent the day visiting homes and discussing individual energy concerns. The topics ranged from:

• How to replace a window
• How to use spray foam guns and bulk kits
• Identifying leaks and air sealing a log home
• Combustion air for boiler rooms
• Air sealing and adding insulation to an attic
• How an unlevel trailer prevents windows from closing and cost lots in wasted energy dollars
• How clean furnace filters is a must for an efficient heating system and
• How important it is to seal a belly bag that has a hole or cuts in it

Hay River Business, Home & Leisure Show

Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) home energy evaluators set up a booth at the 2011 Hay River Business, Home & Leisure Show and then did nine home energy evaluations throughout the town.  Lots of people were concerned with the high heating costs and interested in rebates for installing wood burning appliances (check out the link for details on rebates ).  AEA evaluators were greatly impressed with the work done by the maintenance staff at the arena who have started to switch the old inefficient lighting to LED (light-emitting diode) lighting.  The arena has already noticed the electricity savings from the switch.  If you haven’t noticed the new lights, just look up next time you are in the arena, but don’t look too long or you might be blinded by the light!  The LED lights have no problem illuminating the ice for the players to get the puck in the net.  Go Huskies!

News from Sonny Zoe in Wha Ti

Energy is the highest cost of living in the north. Everyone needs to understand ways to save Energy as a way of living. So this is what I have been doing since I started working with Arctic Energy Alliance. I have been visiting homes and talking to people about energy saving.

When I visit homes, people often tell me that they have about 2, 3,or 4 freezers. They often have a long electric cord going from the house to the warehouse. I would encourage them to use fewer freezers if they are not full and to use better quality electric cords. Some of the freezers are very old so I suggest they buy a new Energy Star rated freezer. One person said when they bought a new freezer their power bill went down $50 each month.

Some of the people have a couple of TVs and stereos at home, but most of them don’t have a power bar. I would encourage them to use power bars because it’s easier to turn everything off at once.

Most of the people don't use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), but they promise they will switch.  The reason why people don't use compact fluorescent is because they cost too much, they're not available at the local store, and people don't like them because they are slow at start.

I also talk to them about hot water blankets on thier hot water tanks. Installing a hot water blanket could save a lot of energy because you don't need to heat the water so often. A hot water blanket keeps the water warm for a long time.  Also people not hooked up to the Snare Power System who have an electric hot water tank should switch to an oil burning hot water tank because heating water with electricity costs more. I explain to them that there is an $800 rebate available for removing an electric hot water tank and replacing it with a new oil, gas or propane hot water heating system in a diesal community.

I also talk to them about green house gas. A lot of people idle their vehicle for a long time before they start to drive, no need to idle too much. I also encourage them not to use command start

I also support alternative energy as a member of alternative energy committee. We installed the tracking solar panel up in Behchoko; it was the first tracking solar panel ever to be installed in the north.

I am also helping with Nailii project, a proposed run-of-the-river hydro project.  I'm keeping people up to date and helping engineers when they come in to do some field work.

I talk to the leaders about environmental law because too many people are dumping garbage everywhere. This needs to stop. We want to keep our land clean for as long as possible.

Northerners Taking Action

46 Energy and dollar-wise Northerners collected a total of $11,192.25 in Energy Efficiency Incentive Program (EEIP) rebates in September 2011. That brings the total of rebates this fiscal year (April - September) to $80,611.75.
EEIP recipients for September  2011 include Wayne Shields of Yellowknife who received a $1000 rebate for insulating his crawlspace and Teresa Bezanson-Byatt  of Fort Simpson who received a $400 rebate for purchasing an Energy Star© washer.

Go to Northerners Taking Action

What Are We Doing?

In September we had energy advisors in the following communities: Gameti, Wrigley, Norman Wells, Hay River, Bechacho and Alklavik.  We also attended the Hay River’s Business, Home & Leisure Show and helped organized a Norman Wells Energy Fair.

In October we plan to have an energy advisor in the communities of Sach Harbour, Kakisa and Whati. Our Wood and Solar Fair also takes place on October 1st.

What Can You Do?

Funding Programs Available:   Energy Conservation Program

Improve Your Energy Efficiency:  Energy Tips

Use Renewable Energy: Wood Pellet Heating

Go Carbon Neutral: Carbon Neutral North

Comments or Suggestions?

If you have comments on anything in this month's E-News or have suggestions for our next issue, please contact us by e-mail or by phone: 920-3333 in Yellowknife or toll-free 1-877-755-5855 from anywhere else in the NWT.