|
City of Toronto staff and Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21 St.
Paul's) participated in an event on Humewood Drive in Ward 21
this morning to show residents how easy it is to install solar
hot water heating units on their homes.
Councillor Mihevc, who recently installed a solar hot water unit
on his own home, hosted the demonstration and information
session. City energy consultant Rob McMonagle and Toronto
Building director Mario Angelucci were on hand as solar
installation experts available to answer questions.
Using free energy from the sun, solar hot water systems can
provide up to 50 per cent of the hot water needed for an average
Toronto home. Displacing natural gas or electricity used for
heating water with solar energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions
- on average 0.6 tonnes a year per household. That is roughly
equivalent to the emissions saved by leaving your car at home
one day a week, or by not using a home air conditioner. Solar
water heating virtually eliminates a home's local air pollution
emissions during the summer.
"The City of Toronto is already making great strides towards
reducing emissions. All City councillors should set an example
for their community when it comes to energy conservation and the
environment," said Councillor Mihevc. "This was the next step
for me after I did my energy audit and the upgrades like
improving my insulation and draft proofing. It's amazing how
even the smallest improvements help a homeowner save money and
the environment."
The City of Toronto is ready to lead Toronto into solar heating
one neighbourhood at a time. In 2008, the City introduced its
pilot Solar Neighbourhoods project, which was geared to help
residents in Ward 30.
Recently, the project expanded into Wards 29, 31 and 32. The
program helps residents assess their home's suitability for
solar panels, assist with installation steps, monitor the system
and provide financing options - offering cash rebates of up to
$1,000. Soon, the City hopes to move this program into other
neighbourhoods as well.
Solar Neighbourhoods has been developed jointly by Toronto
Atmospheric Fund, Toronto Hydro, Toronto Energy Efficiency
Office and Toronto Environment Office, with core funding from a
provincially-mandated contribution from the Portlands Energy
Centre.
The Solar Neighbourhoods program is one of many emission
reduction actions residents of Toronto can explore to help the
City reach its climate plan targets. To find out more about what
the City is doing and how you can contribute, visit the Live
Green Toronto website at http://www.toronto.ca/livegreen. This
one-stop website is filled with tips, success stories, learning
opportunities, information updates - even rebates and grants
that will inspire residents to keep taking the small steps that
lead to a healthier planet.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government,
and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It
is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and
most creative cities in North America.
Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and
efficiency in delivering public services. 2009 marks the 175th
anniversary of Toronto's incorporation as a city. Toronto's
government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and
liveability for all its residents.
|
|
