Homeowner Resources : Energy Improvements & Sustainability
Why it matters
It is often said that the greenest home is an old home. This is because the environmental cost of demolishing old homes and building new homes far exceeds the cost of fixing up an old home to be more environmentally friendly. Making energy improvement and retrofits to old buildings can make them even greener and are of interest to many owners of old homes.
Reasons to consider a energy improvements include
- Reduce the amount of carbon emitted by your house to lower your environmental impact
- Decrease your monthly energy bill
- Replace old materials where needed, while keeping the high quality original materials of the structure
- Extend the life of your home
Resources
Studies on Heritage Conservation and the Environment
» The Greenest Building
» Sustainability and Heritage Conservation
» Climate Adaptation: Making A Case
» HBC Webinar: Bringing the Power of Heritage to Climate Action
» HBC Report on Seismic Upgrading in BC’s Heritage Places
Make Energy Improvements In Your Old Home
» Vancouver Heritage Foundation : Sustainability & Heritage Case Studies
» Vancouver Heritage Foundation : Energy Improvements in Older Homes
» HBC Webinar: Heritage Conservation, Sustainability & Climate Change
» Knob and Tube Wiring Explained
» Old House Electrical Systems Summary : Fire Risks Explained
Funding for Energy Improvements
» Clean BC Rebate Finder for Home Rennovations
» BC Hydro – Home Renovation Rebates
» FortisBC Home Renovation Rebate Program
FAQ
Is there funding for greening my heritage home?
Yes. Use Clean BC’s Rebate search tool, and check out BC Hydro and Fortis BC‘s energy improvement programs.
You can also contact your local government to see if they have special greening programs. They may have restrictions around who is eligible.
Is my house eligible for green designation?
There are a number of different organizations that will award a green designation to your home in BC and Canada. They are not specific to older homes, but any home can qualify for them. This BC Hydro graphic (right) provides a reference for the standards required to meet each designation.
The City of Maple Ridge has compiled a comprehensive list of designation options available to homeowners.
More Homeowner Resources
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