Municipality to offer incentives for green homes

The Municipality of Jasper is moving towards a greener future by offering incentives for residents who wish to reduce their energy consumption drawn from the grid.

According to the Environmental Services Report for March 2009, the municipality has committed to a rebate program for those wishing to install a solar hot water heater in their homes. The rebate comes from the Environmental Stewardship budget and allows $500 per system for the first 20 systems installed over the next three years. 

The first solar hot water heater system will be installed in Jasper on April 4 as part of a workshop hosted by Sedmek Inc. of Calgary. Sedmek Inc. specializes in renewable energy systems for residential, commercial and industrial properties. The first unit will be installed on Mike Wasuita’s house on Cabin Creek Road.

Environmental stewardship coordinator Lori Rissling-Wynn said that “if we want to build capacity in the community, some of our trades people are interested in learning how to install one of these systems, so they can attend [the workshop] and learn about them.” The public is also invited to learn how to ‘green’ their homes. 

Sedmek Inc.’s website states that “simply by adding a solar hot water storage tank beside your current tank, and affixing one or two solar collector panels to your roof, you can immediately take advantage of year-round savings on your hot water bill.” Not only does it save money, it’s a step towards saving the environment. 

The workshop takes place April 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.