Home energy workshop in Tamworth Oct. 1.

By Stephen Petrick/Napanee Guide

 Cam Mather hopes to dispel the myth that only the wealthy can afford to make environmentally conscious retrofits of their homes.

The Tamworth-area resident, and owner of Aztext Press, a publisher of energy-related books and DVDs, says he hopes the upcoming workshop he's hosting will draw people from all economic backgrounds.
Tamworth's Home Energy Workshop takes place Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 458, at 3 Addington St. in the village. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 613-539-2831. The price includes a copy of the book Smart Power, published by Mather's own Aztext Press. The event is also a chance to meet representatives from businesses that sell green energy products.
"I don't care who comes or where they are on the socioeconomic spectrum, it doesn't matter," Mather said. "The workshop is targeted to anyone who sees the way energy bills are going."
The event will feature a presentation by Mather on what subsidy programs exist for people who wish to make their homes more environmentally friendly, through measures such as solar panels, solar water heating systems or geo-thermal heating systems.
For instance, the federal government's ecoENERGY program offers homeowners grants of up to $5,000 to make their home more energy efficient.
The workshop will also cover what little things people can do to ensure their homes are as energey effiecnt, and cost effective as possible. Those little things may include installing new weather strips to seal windows or doors, or installing energy efficient light bulbs.
"We go through all the basics," Mather said. "The reality is the return on investment on switching your light bulbs to compact florescent light bulbs is basically 100 per cent."
Mather and his wife Michelle live in a house about 12 kilometres outside of Tamworth, which they call Sunflower Farm.
Mather said the home is not dependent on the province's electricity grid. The house is powered by solar panels and wind turbines. It also has a geo-thermal heating unit. Since the ground is warmer in winter, and cooler in the summer, it naturally moderates the temperature. Mather said he only pays about $100 a year in energy and that's to cover propane for his stove.
He said there are enough government subsidy programs in Ontario for most people to feel similar energy efficient measures are within their means.

He explained that a new gas furnace and a new air conditioning unit may cost the owner of an average house about $12,000.

That same owner can likely get a geo-thermal heating system for around $20,000. He acknowledged it's more money, but if a government program subsidizes the cost, as is sometimes the case, it's not much more considering the owner may never have to pay a heating bill again.
Someone thinking about going this route should check with the federal or provincial government's website to see if there are currently any rebate programs. Retailers would also have that information.
"People always say a geo-thermal unit is so expensive. But if you factor the money being kicked back to you, it's very effective," he said.
He also suggests people make a financial plan to take on any environmental retrofits of their homes. People can do that by taking the money they're saving on a first environmental measures, such as a geo-thermal heating system, and using it to save up for a second measure, such as a solar heating system.
"People know now you're not earning much with money in the bank with interests rates," he said. "Maybe it's time to take that money you have and make your home more efficient."
He also said many financial institutions will approve loans for people who wish to purchase an energy-efficient product; providing they can prove that the savings from the product will generate the money they need to pay off the loan.
Mather believes more people will make such steps if energy rates rise.
He believes energy costs in Ontario were well below the cost needed to produce it for years - an argument that makes sense considering Ontarians are still paying a Debt Retirement Charge on hydro bills. The charge is a result of debt built up from past Ontario hydro companies.
But Mather believes the days of underpriced electricity in Ontario are over, especially because programs such as microFIT, give Ontarians the option of generating and even selling their own electricity.
"We're realizing we have to put the price of electricity up so people will see the value of it," he said. "The reality is all energy is expensive. If you continue to sell it for less than the cost to produce it, then people won't appreciate it."
Mather's workshop is a fundraiser for the local Green Community Committee, a subcommittee of the Tamworth/Erinsville Community Development Committee.
Mather said a similar home energy fair held in Tamworth last year sold out, so he's expecting a good turnout. Funds raised through the event go to the Tamworth/Erinsville Community Development Committee.
While Mather said he likes the idea of people taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint, he's really advertising the workshop as a chance for people to learn how to save money.
"I do honestly believe it's only going to get worse," he said, on the topic of energy costs. "Now is the time people should take action. What I hope to do is give people an overview of what's out there and what government money is available to help them make the transition."