Mayor John Tory today launched BetterHomesTO, a multi-partner program that aims to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient, and proclaimed today Residential Energy Efficiency Day in Toronto.
Homes and buildings generate more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions in Toronto today. Last month, Toronto City Council declared a climate emergency and adopted a stronger emissions reduction target for Toronto – net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. To achieve that target, we know existing homes in Toronto will need to be retrofitted to net zero emissions by 2050, sooner if possible, and all new homes must be built to net zero by 2030.
BetterHomesTO offers a comprehensive online resource where Toronto homeowners can find information, tools and resources to help them learn about and undertake home energy retrofits (31 retrofits in all) and access all the programs, rebates and incentives offered by the City and its partners.
A net zero home is comfortable, healthier and better for the environment because all the efficient features work together to lower energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shrink the home’s carbon footprint.
BetterHomesTO partners include Enbridge Gas Inc., Humber College, Toronto Hydro, Clean Air Partnership, University of Toronto Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Association GTA, Canadian Home Builders’ Association, ecobee, School for Social Entrepreneurs, and The Roots Collaborative.
More information about net zero homes and BetterHomesTO is available at http://www.betterhomesto.ca.
Quotes:
“As we respond to the climate emergency and take action to reduce emissions from buildings, transportation and waste, we hope to support residents in moving toward more energy-efficient, climate-friendly and resilient homes through BetterHomesTO. The City of Toronto is committed to continuing to invest, innovate and act for the good of our city, our health and our economy.”
– Mayor John Tory
“We all have a role to play in making our city and planet a healthier place to live. Many homeowners want to do their part to combat climate change, but don’t know how to get started. BetterHomesTO provides an important resource that will make it easier for Toronto residents to improve the energy efficiency of their single-family homes.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park), the Mayor’s Resilience Champion and Vice-Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of more than 2.9 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.