City website tells Toronto homeowners how to save on energy costs

Thestar.com
November 6, 2019
David Rider

The City of Toronto has launched a new web portal to tell homeowners how to save energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mayor John Tory told reporters Tuesday he hopes that www.betterhomesTO.ca makes it easier for Torontonians to learn about programs, some including free retrofits and rebates to qualified homeowners, offered by the city and private companies.

“We have 450,000 single-family homes (in Toronto) and I know the number of people that have taken advantage of our this home-energy home program, for example, has been relatively small,” Tory said.

“The problem has been that people don’t really know these programs exist and if they do find about these encouragements I think many more will take part. We want them to use these programs.”

The website has details on programs including the city’s home energy loans and eco-roof incentives, as well as Enbridge’s home winter-proofing program.

Andrea Stass of Enbridge confirmed that, like the city, the natural gas company can accommodate many more people trying to reduce their home’s emissions and cost, while making it more comfortable.

“There are monies available for these programs and there is certainly room to join,” she said.