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From freezers to light bulbs, program shows Alberta newcomers how to be energy efficient

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An Alberta group is curbing carbon emissions by teaching newcomers to the province how to cut down on their energy usage at home.

The program visits new Albertans in their homes and shows them where they’re consuming more energy than required, helping them to lower both their carbon footprint and their utility bill.

And in order to make sure residents understand the finer details of in-home energy, the program provides walkthroughs in their own languages.

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“This is where we make sure that newcomers, especially newcomers to Canada, have access to the right resources they need to make advised decisions,” said program co-ordinator Jaclyn Cai.

For Rajvi Makwana, who recently moved into a residence in the south Edmonton community of Blue Quill, it came as a surprise that having a jam-packed freezer used excess energy because fans had to work harder to circulate air.

“There’s so much stuff I can show people,” said Brijal Patel, an energy mentor with the program. “It’s small things you can to do to start saving energy.”

The program runs in 16 different languages, including two Indigenous languages. Cai gives lessons in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, while Patel talks to newcomers in Punjabi, Hindi and English.

“Some people in the community are scared of speaking English when they’re not comfortable and they don’t raise questions,” Patel said. “If there are any doubts for them, they can ask easily.”

Newcomers who participate in the program receive a package including items like a low-flow showerhead, LED light bulbs and window film, plus help to install them.

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In its first year of operation, the group conducted over 900 free in-house visits in Alberta.

Last month, the United Conservative Party government scrapped a series of carbon tax-funded programs run by Energy Efficiency Alberta agency, which partially funds Empower Me.

Applications already approved by the province will still be honoured, however.

Empower Me managing director Yasmin Abraham says precarious funding was anticipated and the program’s model helps insulate it against government cuts.

“Programming comes in and out of the market, based on funding and based on government. And in the end, communities are really impacted,” Abraham said. “So we developed an energy program that could weather the storm, so to speak, through changes in government. That’s why we’re funded by multiple partners, so if one partner goes in and one goes out, we’re able to continue the program.”

In addition to Energy Efficiency Alberta, the program is also funded in part by Enmax, Epcor and the Cities of Calgary and Edmonton.

jherring@postmedia.com

twitter.com/jasonfherring

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