Union Gas incentives help cut energy use in London area public housing

Energy efficient upgrades expected to save more than $110,000 a year

LONDON, ON, Dec. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Local public housing has become more energy efficient, thanks to incentives from the Union Gas Affordable Housing Conservation Program, which supported upgrades to 110 townhouse units and five apartment buildings this year.

Through the program, which offers incentives designed specifically to support energy efficiency upgrades in public housing stock, London & Middlesex Housing Corporation (LMHC) was able to install energy-saving upgrades in 110 townhouse units and 326 apartment building units. In total, the upgrades are expected to save more than $110,000 in energy costs a year, and reduce annual energy use by more than 350,000 cubic metres, enough to fuel almost 180 homes.

The upgrades included replacing windows and doors in the townhouse units with Energy Star products, and replacing aging boilers and fresh air handling units in 326 apartment units with more efficient equipment, adding heat recovery equipment in the large buildings and insulation upgrades in over 600 homes and townhouses across London.

Jackie Caille, Union Gas director of residential/commercial sales, today presented the $427,000 incentive cheque to Paul Roszell, the director of assets and property services for the housing corporation.

"We want to help all our municipal partners use clean and affordable natural gas in the most efficient way possible," Caille said. "These investments will help London & Middlesex Housing reduce its energy consumption and lower its operating costs."

"Reducing energy use in our public housing stock just makes sense," said Roszell. "With the support of Union Gas' Affordable Housing Conservation program, we've been able to introduce the latest in energy efficient equipment in more than 100 of our townhouse units and more than 325 apartment units, which will help us significantly lower our energy costs for years to come."

Union Gas has been dedicated to energy conservation and reducing its environmental footprint for over 15 years. Since it first began offering Demand Side Management programs in 1997, Union Gas has delivered over 4.3 billion cubic metres of natural gas savings, and reduced carbon monoxide emissions by the equivalent of removing 1.4 million cars from Ontario's roads for a year. 

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. Union Gas, named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers  for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.

About London & Middlesex Housing Corporation (LMHC)
LMHC manages the public housing portfolio for the City of London and Middlesex County. Their mission is to provide quality, affordable and sustainable housing accessible to those who are eligible. They are the largest provider of rent-geared-to-income housing in the London and Middlesex area, with a total of 3,282 housing units, which include apartments in London, Dorchester, Glencoe, Newbury, Parkhill, and Strathroy, as well as townhouses and semi-detached homes for families in London, Newbury and Strathroy.

SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

Union Gas Limited
Andrea Stass
Manager, External Communications and Media Relations
Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5005490
Cell: 519 365-1010
[email protected]

London & Middlesex Housing Corporation
Michelle Lynne Goodfellow
Communications Specialist
Ph: 519-434-2765 ext.207
Cell: 519-868-6237
[email protected]