Technological advances are coming fast and furious these days, in all areas of life. Homes and cars are no exception — heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicles (EVs) offer great energy and greenhouse gas emission savings. Not only are these technologies good for the climate, they’re good for the home — effective, quiet, and efficient!
The Home Energy and EV Expo, taking place on Saturday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre, aims to demystify these technologies and help residents get their questions answered.
Co-hosted by the City of Peterborough, For Our Grandchildren, the Electric Vehicle Society, and GreenUP, this event combines two popular events held in Peterborough in 2024: the Home Energy Expo and the Electric Vehicle Show.
West-end Peterborough homeowner Ray Scott has gone all-in on electrification.
After purchasing his first EV in 2019, he now has a 14-kilowatt solar system with battery backup, installed by local company Generation Solar (who will be represented at the June 14 event), a second EV purchased in 2022, and a cold climate electric heat pump for heating and cooling the home. The only gas still left in his home is for the water heater, which he plans to replace soon.
Scott proudly showed GreenUP around his home on a recent visit.
“The car is now charging at a speed of nearly seven kilowatts per hour, and it’s all coming from sunlight — it’s free,” he explained, as the sun beat down on his large rooftop solar system.
New technology can be intimidating. While some early adopters will embrace it right away, many will need more convincing to make a major switch. Investing in a new home heating system, renewable energy, or a new vehicle means a significant expenditure as well as potentially a learning curve.
A key element of the event is the inclusion of people like Scott, who have completed home retrofits, installed heat pumps and solar panels, and drive EVs (or maybe, like Scott, all of the above).
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with their fellow residents and hear about the experiences they’ve had on their electrification journeys.
The trade show also includes exhibitors from the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), renewable energy, and building trades, as well as energy advisors and incentive program representatives.
Better Homes Peterborough, the newly launched loan program for home energy efficiency upgrades in the City of Peterborough, will also be featured at the event (visit betterhomesptbo.ca/ for more information on the program).
In the parking area, EV drivers will be on hand with their vehicles so attendees can get a close look at different types of EVs and chat with drivers about their experience driving EVs in all seasons, installing charging infrastructure at home, as well as charging at public stations while on the road. Local car dealers have also been invited to attend.
Inside the hall, homeowners who have completed retrofits will show photos and talk about their costs and energy savings, as well as any pitfalls they may have experienced.
While Scott undertook his retrofits because of a commitment to tackle climate change, he’s also been pleased with the results.
“The heat pump is a dream,” he enthused. “It has a large electric backup system built in, but it has actually never had to come on. Two years ago, we had two full days where the temperature never got above minus 31 degrees, and the heat pump was still able to keep up.”
Like many home upgrades such as steel roofs or new driveways, electrification spreads through neighbourhoods.
Scott has received inquiries about his solar panels from his neighbour across the street who is interested in getting his own. His neighbour next door has also commented on how much quieter the heat pump is than a traditional air conditioner.
Find out how to get started on home electrification by stopping by the Home Energy and EV Expo at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre at 577 McDonnel Street on Saturday, June 14 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sign up for the event on Facebook or just drop in.
Learn more about GreenUP home energy services at greenup.on.ca/home-energy/
