Alberta Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office Shannon Phillips announced the last of a series of energy rebates April 28. The online rebates are available for appliances such as high-efficiency refrigerators and thermostats.
“An efficient appliance can make a significant difference on each utility bill. This rebate gives Alberta families yet another way to save money and cut energy use,” Phillips said in making the announcement.
The latest rebates are in addition to ones the government announced April 18 for home improvements such as the installation of insulation, tankless water heaters and window upgrades.
Albertans can also avail themselves of a program whereby consumers receive instant rebates at the point of sale on certain appliances. These rebates are up to $30 per item. Included are items such as energy efficient LED light bulbs, clotheslines and low-flow showerheads.
The series of rebates comprise Energy Efficiency Alberta’s $24 million Residential Retail Products Program. The program has been rolled out in phases and officially launched April 28.
To receive a rebate of $75 or $100 on select appliances, residents can simply take a photo of their receipt and submit it online at efficiencyalberta.ca. According to a government release issued April 28, residents will receive a cheque via mail within six to eight weeks.
According to the release, the Residential Retail Products Program will save roughly 307,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over an unspecified period of time and result in the creation of approximately 170 new jobs.
The program is funded by revenue from Alberta’s new, controversial carbon tax levy. Therein lies the problem, according to Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt.
“The NDP seem to forget this is taxpayers’ money,” she said. “These programs are redundant and Ecofitt should be scrapped.”
Ecofitt is another government program which allows homeowners to have a contracted company come to their home to install energy efficient LED lighting, low-flow showerheads and smart thermostats, as well as conduct an energy review of the home. Pitt has been very critical of the program, which she said shows the government’s priorities aren’t in order.
More information about the Residential Retail Products Program is available on the Energy Efficiency Alberta website at efficiencyalberta.ca.
