Efficiency Manitoba and Habitat for Humanity Manitoba (Habitat Manitoba) are proud to announce the signing of a collaboration agreement to jointly pursue energy use reductions in homes. This partnership between Manitoba’s Crown corporation for energy efficiency and the affordable housing organization will enable the construction, operation, and maintenance of energy-efficient housing for low-income homeowners throughout the province, leading to lower living costs for Habitat Partner families.
Habitat Manitoba takes great pride in consistently building some of the most energy-efficient houses in Canada in any price range. They’ll be able to expand on their successes through this collaborative effort by acting on Efficiency Manitoba’s expert advice regarding energy-efficient construction practices and technologies, as well as providing education to ensure homeowners are able to adopt energy-efficient practices in their new homes. These strategies will result in lower monthly energy bills for Habitat homeowners, alongside improved home comfort and reduced environmental impacts.
“I am very pleased to see these two dedicated organizations work together to achieve shared goals for the benefit of Manitobans,” said Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “The collaboration agreement between Efficiency Manitoba and Habitat Manitoba presents great potential to bring greater energy efficiency into more homes, address the climate crisis, and make homeownership more affordable for those who need it most.”
Efficiency Manitoba’s mandate to achieve significant electricity and natural gas savings in the province is achieved through delivering programs, rebates, and advice for homes, businesses, and communities. Their team of technical experts will provide guidance to Habitat Manitoba in energy-efficient technologies and construction practices. Efficiency Manitoba also offers a variety of rebates and initiatives to reduce the costs associated with energy efficiency upgrades, allowing homeowners to realize immediate and long-term bill savings.
“Bill affordability and energy poverty are real issues many Manitoba families are experiencing in greater numbers than ever before. Helping Manitobans access our rebates and expertise to incorporate energy efficiency into their homes plays an important role in addressing these burdens,” said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. “By collaborating with Habitat Manitoba, we’re driving even more opportunities to help Manitobans on a limited income understand the value of saving energy and take advantage of its many benefits.”
Habitat Manitoba is actively involved with Efficiency Manitoba’s New Homes Program, which provides homeowners and builders with rebates and expert design assistance when they build energy-efficient new homes. Homes constructed through the program are at least 25% more energy efficient than new homes built to minimum building code requirements; they also receive an energy label and a Certified Energy Efficient designation from Efficiency Manitoba. Impressively, Habitat Manitoba has already shown great leadership in energy efficiency with all new homes designed to meet and exceed Efficiency Manitoba’s New Homes Program standards, many of which are also Net Zero Energy Ready.
“Building energy-efficient homes is one of the ways that we ensure that both the purchase cost and the operating costs are affordable for the low-income families that we serve,” said Jamie Hall, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba. “This commitment to collaboration with Efficiency Manitoba will help us ensure we are doing the most we can for our families and for our planet. I am looking forward to the mutual benefits from this renewed relationship.”
