Off-grid Home in Knowlesville – Renewable NB – Promoting Energy Efficiency Across New Brunswick

Promoting Energy Efficiency Across New Brunswick

This is an off-grid system that more than meets the needs of this family, home-based business and supplies surplus power to a small artist cabin nearby. The house is a timberframe with strawbale infill, 3 storey, 195 m² (2100 sq. ft.) building. The cabin is a load-bearing strawbale contruction, 1.5 storey and 60 m² (650 sq. ft.).

They have several appliances running on this system, including

a freezer
a washing machine
power tools
a refrigerator, and
many other kitchen appliances.

The main problems faced with this RE system was that several of the nuts were not tightened properly by the installer, which resulted in issues related to power usage. Once these nuts were tightened, there were no subsequent problems.

This turbine was constructed at a workshop at Falls Brook Centre, based on a model created by Hugh Piggott. It is a 3 m (10′) diameter wood blade with a direct-drive system. Future additions will include 2 more batteries.

Wind turbine, Solar panels & Charge control inverter — Charge control inverter with batteries, Wind turbine & Solar panels

The source for small-scale, renewable energy projects in New Brunswick, Canada.

We hope to remove knowledge barriers for those entering the world of renewable energy and inspire New Brunswickers to be as passionate about these technologies as we are.

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Residential

Canada’s Greener Homes Grant

The Federal Government of Canada is giving up to 700,000 grants of up to $5,000 to help homeowners make energy efficient retrofits to their homes. They provide EnerGuide evaluations (worth up to $600) and expert advice to homeowners so they can begin to plan their retrofits. As part of their work, they are committed to ensuring Greener Homes reaches diverse Canadians including those living in remote and northern communities and those with limited internet access. Applying is easy.

Residential

NB Power Total Home Energy Savings Program

“It all starts with your initial Home Energy Evaluation. For $99, a Certified Energy Advisor will evaluate your home – from the attic to the basement- to find out where your home needs upgrades. Your initial Home Energy Evaluation will give you customized recommendations to improve your home’s space and water heating energy efficiency. You could also be eligible for free energy savings products!”

After registering for this program and being approved, NB Power will help you book an appointment with a Certified Energy Advisor, who will come to your house and assess its energy efficiency – from top to bottom – to find out where your home may need upgrades. The advisor will prepare an initial Energy Evaluation and give you a list of recommended upgrades, and it is up to you to decide which you plan on pursuing. You have 9 months to complete your work before they come back for a final evaluation. You may also be eligible for free energy savings products. There is currently a wait-time of approximately three to four weeks to have your energy evaluation done.

Residential

NB Power Low Income Energy Savings Program

“The Low-Income Energy Savings Program targets homes in need of major energy efficiency upgrades, especially those needing insulation and air sealing. These upgrades will help low-income homeowners in New Brunswick reduce their energy use and costs.”

This program provides energy efficiency upgrades to low-income homeowners in order to improve their energy use. Energy efficiency upgrades could include anything from improving air sealing around windows and doors to increasing insulation in attics and walls. Acceptance into this program is based on a first come, first served basis and currently has a wait-list of approximately 12 months.

Contact an NB Power Customer Care Advisor by phone at 1 800 663-6272 and press 5 for Energy Efficiency Services (after choosing your preferred language) or by email at smarthabits@nbpower.com to participate.

Residential

NB Power New Home Energy Savings Program

This program is for homeowners looking to incorporate energy efficiency products when building a new home or completing renovations. After registering and being approved for the program, you can have your building plans modeled by a Certified Energy Advisor and can consult with them on ways to make your home more energy efficient. You have 12 months to complete construction of your home, from the date you registered. Complete an on-site energy evaluation, and then receive your incentives. Renovate with energy efficiency in mind and you may be eligible for a refund of up to 25% of your premium!

Residential

Saint John Energy Home Energy Assessment

“We offer an Energy Assessment service which is designed to give you the help you need to use electricity more efficiently throughout your household. Implementing a few cost-effective solutions now can save you money over the long term.”

Give them a call to discuss your specific needs for your home. Their Energy Advisor will provide helpful information from making small changes around your home to large renovations with the help of Energy Smart NB. Call at (506) 658-5252 or toll-free at 1-877-907-5550 to book your energy advising appointment today.

Residential

NB Power Net Metering Program

Through NB Power’s Net Metering Program, the power that your renewable energy system generates can be fed back into the existing electrical grid through a special type of meter or net meter that will be installed by replacing your existing meter. This new meter will provide readings for the electricity you use from NB Power and the electricity you produce, and send back to the distribution system. You will then be billed for the difference or net amount of electricity used.

Commercial

NB Power Net Metering Program

Through NB Power’s Net Metering Program, the power that your renewable energy system generates can be fed back into the existing electrical grid through a special type of meter or net meter that will be installed by replacing your existing meter. This new meter will provide readings for the electricity you use from NB Power and the electricity you produce, and send back to the distribution system. You will then be billed for the difference or net amount of electricity used.

Commercial

NB Power Commercial Buildings Retrofit Program

Any commercial building within the province of New Brunswick can receive up to $3,300 towards evaluations for energy efficiency upgrades, and a maximum of $100,000 towards energy retrofitting project costs. Projects must have defined electrical savings and meet other criteria before they are eligible for this program.

For a limited time, you can also get 25% back – up to a maximum of $1 Million per entity – on eligible costs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, through the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. Federal funding is available until December 2023 or until funds are depleted.

Industrial

NB Power Net Metering Program

Through NB Power’s Net Metering Program, the power that your renewable energy system generates can be fed back into the existing electrical grid through a special type of meter or net meter that will be installed by replacing your existing meter. This new meter will provide readings for the electricity you use from NB Power and the electricity you produce, and send back to the distribution system. You will then be billed for the difference or net amount of electricity used.

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