UPDATE: Vernon backs study on renewable energy conversion

A Vernon-based not-for-profit group of local residents, renewable energy experts, and contractors (HomeZERO Collective) have City of Vernon support for a major feasibility study that could help the municipality meet its emissions reduction targets of 23 per cent by 2025 and 100 per cent by 2050.

The group said a feasibility study will form the basis of a significant undertaking to retrofit a neighbourhood community in Vernon (500-800 single family homes) to netzero emissions, which means zero increases in energy consumption, emissions, and cost.

“Homes would receive an energy efficiency upgrade, followed by heat electrification, either with an air source or ground source heat pump, and an electrified hot water tank,” Amandeep Singh spokesman for HomeZero collective said.

Depending on the results of the feasibility study, a solar array may be installed to generate enough power for the annual consumption of the energy efficient home. Finally, an EV charging plug will be installed to encourage the homeowner to switch to an electric vehicle.

The feasibility study will further lay the foundation for upgrading all other communities in the city.

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Within the four-year period, the group expects to start operations in several neighbourhoods, with old and new homes, for an approximate total of 2,600 homes.

A so-called neighbourhood factory model would be adopted meaning larger scale conversions of multiple homes would reduce the cost of hardware such as heat pumps, solar panels and geo-thermal.

A key goal of the feasibility study is to address the cost barrier by exploring if a cost neutral model can be developed to convert a home to netzero emissions, where the cost of the existing utilities is equivalent to the monthly financing costs of the renewable energy upgrade.

The study will explore if such a model will lead to a large-scale adoption of clean renewable energy when combined with a comprehensive community education and engagement program.

The city has pledged $25,000 of the $125,400 with a request to the city for $25,000 and the remainder funded from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Fund, and B.C. Hydro.