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2013 Energy Report – Savings Looking Stronger Than Ever

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The Ontario Power Authority has announced that energy conservation efforts in Ontario are on track, and saving more than expected. With energy efficient models becoming a priority among industry, businesses, and legislation – it looks like Ontario is headed to meet or exceed efficiency requirements by the 2032 goal.

The news comes as ICF Marbek released the details of it’s 2013 on industrial and commercial energy conservation efforts continue to improve electricity and gas consumption in these areas. The main avenues of success stem from a focus on high-efficiency lighting systems and HVAC unit improvements in commercial buildings, which account for half of overall energy conservation.

Initially, Ontario’s Long Term Energy Plan (LTEP) was began in 2013 to address energy efficient models of development that Ontario’s energy industry had been using successfully for years, and apply this to the scale of the whole province. With a goal of 31 Twh in savings by 2032, the predictions offered by ICF Marbek releases a projection of anywhere between 25 to 30TWh with Ontario in its current state.

There, however, is one factor in the report which is underrepresented and which didn’t receive significant elaboration. This is the impact of Ontario homeowners on the state of energy efficiency. While efforts are being made to encourage homeowners to seek sustainable and energy-efficient alternatives, they don’t operate on a scale as extensive as those for commercial or industrial efforts.

However, with programs such as Ontario’s energy rebate programs and microFit, there’s considerable savings to be had for Ontario homeowners looking contribute to Ontario’s increasingly conservationist energy policy.

It’s estimated by OPA that over 60% of all energy consumption is used on heating and cooling utilities in the home. Replacing outdated units can save as much as $325 per year on energy consumption through these units if installed properly. These units may also reduce energy consumption by as much as 25% in homes, cutting a huge swatch into the energy efficiency challenges plaguing OPA.

Homeowners can be encouraged by OPA and affiliates offering energy rebates and cash incentives for homeowners looking to take the step towards replacing older gas furnaces, water heaters, or air conditioners that no longer meet modern standards of energy efficiency.

Going forward, the biggest goal of OPA in meeting the 2032 goal is to win the hearts and minds of Ontario homeowners, who now remain the largest pool of untapped potential for curbing energy use and transitioning into more sustainable models of living in the province.