Newmarket’s climate activists want to show you how to retrofit your home for energy efficiency and, in the long run, save money doing so.
Trinity United Church on Main Street is hosting a town hall on building retrofits Wednesday, June 21 with speakers discussing ways you can retrofit your home and the benefits.
Co-organizer Sandy MacKenzie said climate change is an emergency and residents in Newmarket and Aurora need to take action.
“Our main goal is to let the residents of Newmarket and Aurora know there is a great need for them to look at their home,” she said. “This can be a bit of a project and maybe an overwhelming project.”
The town hall will feature presentations from the Windfall Ecology Centre, Canco ClimateCare, Faith & Common Good, as well as the Town of Newmarket. Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora is also assisting in the event.
MacKenzie said the event was promoted by the regional council of the United Church of Canada, which asked churches in the region to have a town hall to promote action against climate change.
“The municipalities and the residents have to work together to do everything they can to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
The presentations will help homeowners navigate the several rebate programs they should be aware of and the help available to make a retrofit happen. MacKenzie said there would also be discussions on the best methodologies to use for retrofitting and in what order they should be done.
There will also be a SARIT urban mobility vehicle from Stronarch Group outside the church entrance, a “state-of-the-art” electric vehicle designed for driving in urban settings.
The event is free and open to the public and will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church's gymnasium at 461 Park Ave. at the corner of Main Street. Parking is available at the nearby Newmarket Community Centre.
It is a worthwhile event for homeowners, MacKenzie said.
“Homeowners can find ways to conserve energy and save money,” she said.
