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ENTERTAINMENT
Snowed In Comedy Tour - Page 11 ELKFORD
War Amps helps local boy - Page 5 SPARWOOD
Ghostrider goalie Jeff Orser poses for a photo with fans Jack Nash, 6, Charlie Nash, 9, Carter Christenson, 9, and Britta Christenson, 6. The Ghostriders won both of their weekend games, earning them four points in the standings. For more on the story, turn to page 17. Photo by B. Catton
Incentives for energy efficient homes in Sparwood By Leah Scheitel Free Press Staff
New Level Fitness now open - Page 5
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Elkford Jr. Curling Club - Page 18
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he District of Sparwood is offering incentives for homebuilders to build to a certain energy efficient standard. Under the initiative, builders are encouraged to participate in Sparwood’s Energy Efficiency Incentive Program. Homes that achieve an EnerGuide rating of 80 or better are eligible for rebates for up to 50 per cent of their building permit fees and 100 per cent of their energy audit fees. On top of this, BC Hydro offers incentives up to $6,000 for a new home.
The City has the support of Megan Lohmann, the Community Energy Manager for the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK). “My specific role it to help facilitate education and awareness around the energy efficiency components of the B.C. Building Code,” said Lohmann. “There were some enhancements to the approach that a builder can take in order to comply with the building code, which is to do what is called the Performance Pathway of Compliance.” The performance pathway is a target for energy efficiency that homebuilders will aim to hit when constructing a home. To
February 6-7 Join us for a full weekend of Winter Biking fun.
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help builders hit the target, energy advisors and professionals can perform a series of tests on a new building to ensure it will meet the target. “They do a reverse pressure test on the home – pull air out of it to assess how much leakage there is, and then they will do another one at the end of construction, and at that point, you can’t really go back. At that point, that is your final product,” said Lohmann. The District of Sparwood has been on the forefront of energy efficiency by adopting programs and supporting literature. “Sparwood has sort of gone ahead
and taken a lead on [initiating] this process. They have decided that in order to encourage builders who first of all pursue the performance pathway and second of all achieve a high-energy efficient home, they are rewarding them.” said Lohmann. “They are covering the cost of the energy advisor to do the design review and the blower door test, which is significant, it’s over $500. Then they are rebating 50 per cent of your building permit fee if you achieve a rating of over Energuide 80, which is kind of target for the builders.” Continued on page 3
LOCAL RIDE WEEK
February 1st - 5th $369 for 5 days (includes lessons & lift tickets) $89 for 1 day (includes lessons, lift ticket & rentals) For more information: 250.423.2406 snowschool@skifernie.com