Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 18/05) - The average Northwest Territories home could receive between $500 and $1,000 in rebates this winter for simple renovations, like replacing old insulation and switching to long-lasting light bulbs.

The money, announced late last month, is part of a $1.15-million territorial government plan to promote energy efficiency in the wake of skyrocketing fuel prices.

The scheme will see the NWT match rebates from the federal government - for the first time - and comes after cabinet rejected calls for direct fuel subsidies to medium and low-income families.

"The best way for people to save is to conserve," said Environment minister Michael Miltenberger.

"Very simple things can lead to a multitude of savings."

The non-profit Arctic Energy Alliance will spearhead most of the programs, which executive director Dr. David Malcolm believes will have short and long-term benefits for homeowners.

Owners of the average three-bedroom home who replace aging insulation in the attic and basement, switch to long-lasting light bulbs, insulate their water heater and install programmable thermostats would receive about $1,000 in rebates, Malcolm said.

"The benefit of this program is that it recognizes people who retrofit," he said. The rebates are available to business and non-profit organizations as well.

Nearly 40 per cent of the $1.15-million will go towards advertising, something Malcolm said is essential in the smaller communities where the benefits of conservation are not well publicized.

"People need to understand... that well planned awareness will save them money," he said.

Some of the money will also be used for alliance staff to conduct energy audits throughout the NWT. Using equipment like thermal scanners, technicians can pinpoint heat leaks and other home efficiency no-nos, but the process is expensive outside of major centres.

The alliance does 150-175 audits per year.

Malcolm said it was encouraging to see the Territories move toward greener homes and business, a trend nowhere more evident than the solar-powered federal building on Franklin Avenue in downtown Yellowknife.

"The (rebates) have started to bring about a change in the energy culture of the Northwest Territories," he said.

More rebates and programs could be unveiled this winter, though Miltenberger could not place a dollar figure on those incentives until the details are ironed out.