NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF GUELPH
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The city has updated its Blue Built Home water efficiency certification program to include retrofits in existing homes and multi-residential building units in Guelph. The original program, launched in 2011, focused on certification of new homes built to include home fixtures and appliances designed and tested to save water and reduce utility bills.
“By expanding Blue Built Home to include existing homes and multi-residential buildings more people in our community can participate in this water–saving program,” says Stephanie Cote, water conservation programs coordinator.
To get a Blue Built Home certification, a homeowner must complete one of the following three actions:
- Install a greywater reuse system
- Install an all-season rainwater harvesting system
- Complete a minimum of three qualifying water–saving options including installing an Energy Star® washing machine, Energy Star® dishwasher, WaterSense® showerheads, or sub-water meter.
The full list of qualifying water–saving options is available at bluebuilthome.ca and provides flexibility to suit a diversity of home types and the preferences of homeowners.
Owners of certified single-family homes or townhouses receive a one-time cash rebate of up to $2,460 and the benefits from long-term water use cost savings. Owners of multi-residential buildings are eligible for rebates of up to $415 per unit.
Certified single-family homes can reduce water costs by as much as 60 per cent without making any compromises on day-to-day water use activities like showering and laundry. Replacing inefficient water fixtures and appliances in apartments can result in water savings of more than 20 per cent per unit.
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