Cochrane is committed to consumption reduction throughout our organization and community. By using energy and resources more efficiently, we reduce our operating costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This also enhances our service delivery.
Interested in reducing your energy consumption? Consider:
- behavioural changes (turning off lights, adjusting heating/cooling)
- small upgrades (LED lighting, smart thermostat and plugs, and life cycling equipment to more efficient models)
- leaks (stopping water leaks and adding weather-stripping/insulation)
- using fewer materials (paperless payments, reusable containers, and opting for less packaged products)
Energy saving tips & programs
There are funding rebate/grant programs available for residents and businesses. These programs support higher cost consumption reduction initiatives. We have also included some energy saving tips as resources.
Residential
Tips to save energy in your home:
Programs:
- Canada Greener Homes Grant (Federal)
- helps homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient, creates new jobs across Canada for energy advisors, grows our domestic green supply chains and fights climate change
- Water Conservation Rebate (Municipal)
- offers rebates to encourage you to save even more water, inside and out (conditions apply)
Potential future programs:
- Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) (Municipal/Provincial)
- improve comfort and save energy with a different kind of financing, for renovation projects that make a difference
Business
Tips to save energy at work:
- Energy Star’s @ Work Energy Savings Tips
- Cochrane Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Waste Diversion
Programs:
- Energy Savings for Business
- helps eligible Alberta businesses improve their efficiency and reduce emissions
Town plans & policies
- Cochrane Sustainability Plan (2009)
- Toward Zero Waste (2012)
- Green Building Strategy (2013)
- Renewable Energy Framework – Policy (2015)
Consumption Reduction Team (CRT)
Cochrane's CRT is a group of volunteer staff exploring different projects and programs. The CRT aims to help create a culture of efficiency in our organization. The CRT is as part of the Province-funded Municipal Energy Manager (MEM) program. The program provides grant funding, energy consultants and benchmarking software to help meet our energy reduction goals.
The CRT works to identify and reduce the consumption of resources and time through increased efficiency.
Since joining the MEM program in January 2020, Cochrane has adopted measures that save money and reduce GHG emissions. The initial focus on implementing low/no-cost measures has already had an effect. These measure will have an estimate annual energy savings of $80,344 and an annual GHG emissions reduction of 380 tonnes.
Two notable projects from the first year include:
- window replacements at the Town Administration building
- LED lighting upgrades across the Town’s administration, operations, and recreation facilities (SLSFSC)
Cochrane received funding for the LED lighting upgrades through the Recreation Energy Conservation program. This program covers up to 75 percent of the cost of the lighting project at recreation facilities. This funding reduced Cochrane’s payback period for LED lighting at recreation facilities down to one year. Cochrane also plans to conduct an audit through the Recreation Energy Conservation program to identify potential energy savings.
Awards:
- 2017 AUMA Sustainability in Action Award - Dreaming Alberta
- 2020 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Sustainable Community Award Transportation - Cochrane’s On-demand Local Transit (COLT)