Earth Day Event Review: Part 2 - Local Service Providers

There were a number of local service providers present displaying their wares for greener options to fight climate change at our April 2022 Earth Day Event. Many include options for under the government programs listed in our previous post, and but there were some additional options as well. We are grateful to all our participants!

Here is a summary list:

1. Campbell Heating: Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are a modern alternative for heating your home. A heat pump run on electricity and extract heat from the outside air or ground, even at temperatures of -28˚C, and then releases the energy into your home, with no exchange of air. Efficiency ratings (COP) are 3 to 4 times better than baseboard heating, so that with every unit of energy spent in electricity, you get 3-4 units of heat energy in your home. These devices also provide cooling in the summer just like air conditioning.

2. Manitoulin Off-Grid: Solar Systems

Solar energy is clean from the sun, and free, once you put up the system. Solar panels are continuously improving and becoming cheaper to buy so that this type of installation on your home is even more affordable than ever. You can either install a full system to go off-grid and be done with hydro bills completely, or register with the provincial net-metering program to sell your electricity back to the grid while still maintaining your public connection to power.

3. Manitoulin Tree Services: Arborists

Planting trees, maintaining your current trees, and cutting down dangerous ones safely are all an important part of maintaining the land on Manitoulin. Contact a local arborist to get help keeping trees around us as much as possible. They act as strong carbon syncs and as a renewable energy resource for our local economy.

4. Manitoulin Climate Consortium: A variety of programs

Manitoulin Climate Consortium brings together various local groups with the common goal of confronting the climate crisis. Current members include ‘Cultural Seeds’, Community Gardens, We Will Plant Lodge, and more.

5. Manitoulin Streams: River Rehabilitation and Tree Planting

Manitoulin Streams has a long history of environmental projects completed on Manitoulin, more related to riparian work such as was conducted on the Kagawong River several years ago. They contribute in many other ways around the island as well, working with local interest groups, schools, and municipalities to help maintain our treasured ecosystems.

6. Eco-Growth Environmental: Composting Process for Fuel

This group has developed technology to convert ordinary compost into dehydrated ‘pucks’ that can be burned for heating your home. They are composting experts that can help turn this common waste into a useful fuel for businesses.

7. Re-think Green: Local and Municipal programs

Re-think Green is a Sudbury based non-profit organization that works primarily with municipalities and business to explore green options, opportunities and funding. They can help groups apply for funding related to green projects, or facilitate workshops to develop strategies for future planning. 

The Billings Climate Action Committee would also like to thank the following groups for attending the spring Earth Day Event to help spread information for the benefit of our community:

• Manitoulin Secondary School Eco-Heros

• Devin Whyte: Electric Cars

Earth Day Event Review: Part 1 - Government Rebates

 At the spring Earth Day Event in April 2022 we had several service groups represented to raise awareness of opportunities for Billings Residents to take advantage of climate saving options. Here are a few highlights:

A) Canada Greener Home Grant

This program will help fund up to $5000 in ‘Green’ home energy upgrades for Canadians. It will cover partial costs for improvements in many possible areas, depending on the needs of your home. All the upgrades and improvements are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also saving homeowners money over longer periods. The program will also cover up to $600 of fees for the required home inspections by a licensed Home Energy Inspector.

Home Energy -Blower Test

Examples:

• Improving insulation in walls or attics

• Upgrading windows/doors for reducing heat loss

• Upgrading home heating options for increased efficiency

• Installing green energy options in your home for increased efficiency

• Upgrading water systems, such as toilets or water heaters, for increased efficiency

To go through the process you follow these general steps:

1. Register for the ‘Canada Greener Homes Grant’ and choose a “Green Energy Company’ from the list provided to conduct your grant visits.

2. Connect with a local Home Energy Inspector to have them come to your house for an inspection before work is done.

3. The Home Energy Inspector discusses your ideas for improvements and recommends solutions that align with the options available with the grant.

4. Install the improvements with a chosen local contractor.

5. Have a post-installation visit from the Home Energy Inspector to ensure goals have been met for the program.

6. Send in your receipts online to the Green Homes Grant Website.

7. Receive a rebate check.

It is important to note that contact with the Home Inspector MUST occur before the work has been done to your home - they need to inspect your house first!

Additional questions can be directed to your local contractors, or to Chris T on the committee who has gone through the process already.

B) Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program

This provincial tax credit has been active for over a decade with many Islanders already taking advantage. It follows many different ‘10’s on how it functions

• Anyone with at least 10 acres (4 hectares) of forest on a single property can apply, as long as they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

• A ‘Managed Forest Plan Approver’ will visit and work with residents to develop a 10 year management plan for maintain the forest.

• This plan will be reviewed after 5 years and requires updating after 10 years to continue with the program. 

The basic premise is that maintaining forest is good for our communities and our province. So the government will provide a tax incentive to maintain forests. The most common question relating to this program is what is required to ‘maintain’ the forest. A local ‘Managed forest Plan Approver’ that presented at the event, Maria Diebolt, of Manitoulin Tree Services, suggests that all of these actions are still allowed while maintaining your forest for the tax credit:

• Maple Syrup collection

• Cutting for firewood

• Maintaining a road/path

Basically, you as long as you don’t clear cut the forest, and act responsibility so the forest can remain healthy for generations it will qualify. 

To get involved with the Tax Credit program, contact your local arborist and connect with any of the local Plan Approvers. Estimated annual tax savings are likely in the hundreds of dollars.