Homeowners Get Help From Firefighters With Energy Audits

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

West Vancouver, BC: On November 16 the West Vancouver Fire Department assisted Eagle Island residents in identifying easy opportunities for saving energy in their homes. A colour thermal imaging camera, normally used by firefighters to locate fires inside walls and ceilings, helped show homeowners where residences are losing heat.

The camera reads temperature variances and turns them into a photo. Areas that are yellow to red represent heat loss, grey to blue represent areas that are not losing too much heat.

With this information, homeowners can isolate the exact areas of a home that need repair or enhancement to reduce energy consumption and their carbon footprint.

The Fire Department used their specialized knowledge of thermal imaging technology to support a District-led initiative to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

To reduce GHG emissions in West Vancouver, an estimated 1,700 homes need to be retrofitted each year. Currently in Eagle Harbour many residents have completed an energy audit on their homes with results and progress being tracked by the District of West Vancouver. 

Media Contacts:
Brent Leigh, Deputy CAO, 604-925-7003
Councillor Trish Panz, 604-617-8166

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Background:
West Vancouver is currently working closely with Eagle Island residents who volunteered themselves for an environmental initiative. The residents signed up for an energy audit to find out how they can shrink their energy costs and carbon footprint at the same time.

The District will be monitoring the process and results closely in hopes of meeting carbon dioxide emissions targets by focusing on retrofits of existing buildings.

With more than 50% of West Vancouver’s greenhouse gases (GHG) coming from heating homes, the District is emphasizing “home energy audits” and home energy retrofits as key to achieving targets.

West Vancouver is committed to reducing community GHG 33% below 2007 levels by 2020, and 80% by 2050. For more information visit www.westvancouver.ca/environment.