Image: SjEnergy.com
Saint John Energy customers will soon be able to see where they’re losing heat in their homes with a new program being rolled out by the utility this fall.
Saint John Energy is teaming up with UNB Saint John and Calgary startup MyHeat on its new Home Heat Saver program. The program was announced Thursday morning at the utility’s annual general meeting (AGM), which was held virtually.
For the program, MyHeat uses its aerial heat mapping technology to gather thermal data and map rooftop heat losses of Saint John homes. This will allow Saint John Energy customers to log into their accounts online to see their home’s private personalized heat loss map. This includes a unique thermal image of their rooftop and the map will pinpoint specific areas of the home that are experiencing high heat loss.
Based on the amount of heat escaping the home, customers will receive a heat loss score and will be able to compare their score to the city and neighborhood average. From there, customers with a high heat loss can be connected with rebate programs, efficiency services and products that can help them conserve energy and save money.
“Saint John Energy customers are trying to find ways to save money on their energy bills and decrease their impact on the environment,” said Ryan Mitchell, Saint John Energy’s vice-president. “We know many of our customers struggle with heat loss, as almost 40 percent Saint John homes were built before 1960.”
The program is expected to launch in the fall, with a trial run happening this summer.
“This project will be the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada. We want to help our customers increase efficiency, conserve energy, and save money,” says Mitchell. “To help our customers achieve this, the Home Heat Saver program will use innovative, aerial heat mapping technology exactly where heat is escaping their home.”
The federal government is contributing just over $326,000 to the project.
“The goal is to save homeowners money. To help save our planet from the worst impacts of climate change. I also think it’s great that this initiative really personalizes the climate discussion,” said Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long, during the meeting “Saint Johners will soon be able to go online to see exactly how much heat is leaking from their homes. If you want to talk about innovation, this is absolutely incredible.”
Over the last year, the utility has taken on other major projects including contracting a private company to build a wind farm and community solar and energy storage initiatives. They have also been working to add additional services and products, like the Home Heat Saver program.
Investing in innovation and clean energy initiatives is a big part of Saint John Energy’s plan to increase its economic footprint over the next 10 years, while still keeping rates for customers low.
“Our growth strategy is really intended to help us continue to evolve and in order to continue to keep rates low,” said Saint John Energy president and CEO Ray Robinson, during the Q&A portion of the meeting.
“We really think that the more that we can keep rates relatively low, that is an economic advantage. It really does spawn great economic activity in the region, so certainly we’re committed to carrying on that trajectory.”
Saint John Energy has the lowest power rates in Atlantic Canada, according to a new report by New Brunswick economic development consultant David Campbell, who was hired to do an economic impact assessment of the utility.
RELATED: Saint John Energy Contributes $100-Million A Year To Provincial Economy: Report
A residential customer in Saint John saves around $830 per year compared to a customer in Halifax with the same electricity usage, and almost $800 a year compared to a similar customer in Charlottetown, Campbell found. Overall, Saint John customers save approximately $10-million on their electricity bills each year.
Campbell presented other highlights of his report during the AGM, including that Saint John Energy contributes $100-million a year to the provincial economy and generates more than $20-million in annual tax revenues for governments. This works out to about 82 cents worth of provincial GDP for every dollar spent on local electricity in Saint John.
The utility is also a driver for jobs. The assessment found that Saint John Energy provides 100 direct jobs, and supports 350 spinoff jobs in the province’s economy.
Campbell said Saint John Energy is a significant part of an “energy cluster” in the region. If it were to relocate, a lot of its economic benefits to the area would be impacted.
“Not only Saint Johnn Energy but many of NB Power’s employees and services providers are located in the greater Saint John area. That means that the City of Saint John or the region has one of the highest concentrations of employment in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution of any urban centre in the country,” said Campbell.
“Saint John Energy is a key part of that cluster of electricity services and providers. If it were not located in the region, it could have a significant negative economic impact.”
Campbell examined three different growth scenarios tied to Saint John Energy’s ambitions for the future: low, medium and high. In the high-growth scenario, Saint John Energy’s GDP contribution rises from $110-million to nearly $155-million by 2029. That’s $1.4-billion worth of provincial GDP created from Saint John Energy’s operations and over $515-million dollars worth of labour income.
But reaching this goal will not be without challenges, the most recent one being Covid-19.
Saint John Energy anticipates up to an $8-million gap in cashflow for 2020 due to customers differing payment and drop-in demand due to the virus. But Robinson says they’re not letting that hinder their growth plans.
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“We swiftly instigated a robust financial and operational review identifying $4-million in reductions or deferrals to our operating and capital plans, while arranging for financial backstops for the remainder,” says Robinson.
“Let me assure you that we have not hesitated in our continued pursuit of our growth strategy. In fact, we believe that it really is far more important as a catalyst for economic growth for our city and our province.”
Cherise Letson is the associate editor of Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
