Camrose Home Energy Audit Kit and Online Energy Audit Program Help Homeowners Save Money

Written by: David Morales and Deanna McArthur

With electricity prices on the rise, the recent uptick in the provincial carbon tax, and temperatures dipping below -30?C this month, energy efficiency should be top of mind for consumers in Alberta.

To help homeowners do their best to save money this winter, Camrose Energy has launched a project through the Camrose Public Library which can help homeowners measure and locate energy loss within their homes.

The program allows customers to sign out a Home Energy Audit Kit, donated by Camrose Energy, which contains a FLIR TG165 Spot Thermal Camera that allows the user to see where heat is escaping from their home. Homeowners can use the information gathered from the kit to help reduce their monthly utility bill by finding areas that need energy efficiency improvements.

The home energy audit kit is free for Camrose residents to use and can be checked out using a free library card. Click here to take it home today.

“We have a very active library in our community, and figured this would be a great fit,” said Denise Hawkins, Founder of Camrose Energy. “Our intention was that the audit kit be used in conjunction with the Home Energy Audit that is available on our website. We wanted to provide the tools for our community to help themselves reduce their carbon footprint.”

The online audit is a series of questions in eight different categories that ask consumers about energy habits in their home. It also provides energy efficiency tips as the user completes the questions. Those who complete the audit receive a copy of the results via email.

Hawkins gave an example of a women in the community who found the Home Energy Audit Kit helpful.

“Recently I had a customer ask us how much her oxygen machine uses in electricity,” she said. “I was able to direct her to our home energy audit kit because it has the devices to measure individual appliance consumption. Her medical expenses are covered by AISH, so it was important for her to understand how much electricity her machine uses each month.”

“In my mind this is just an extension of customer service, and just one example of how we provide a personalized touch that the big utilities do not.”

Founded in October of 2012 by Hawkins and her husband Russell, Camrose Energy has been turning heads in the utility industry. In addition to the energy efficiency kit, and the home energy audit, in partnership with Green Alberta Energy, Camrose Energy is able to offer consumers a way of reducing their carbon footprint, by greening a percentage of their energy consumption.

Entrepreneurs giving back to the community

Camrose Energy has always been deeply seeded in the local community and Hawkins continually stresses just how much her customers well-being means to her company. Since its inception, Camrose Energy has been helping local organizations make positive changes in the community through its Community Partner Program.

“Through our Community Partner Program, we give 10% of our profits to one of four local organizations. Our customer chooses which organization resonate with them and decides where 10% of the profit from their bill goes. Our program stemmed from the idea that every little bit helps,” she said.

As a small business owner, Hawkins has gone through a lot of adversity to get where she is today, is proud of how far her company has come, and encourages others to join the path of entrepreneurship.

“Your business will thrive when you come from a place of inspiration and not desperation. That is where the fun is,” said Hawkins. “I love the freedom of being an entrepreneur and what it brings me. Working from home gives me the gift of time for my most important job, being a mom,” she said.

Camrose Energy continues to be a leader in Alberta’s energy market, and is continually finding new and innovative ways to help green the grid and save their customers money.

“I am thrilled with where we are now,” said Hawkins. “Five years ago, this was just a dream. We continue to live by our original business model and focus on being the best in our local area. We are proud to be known for the personal relationships we build with our customers. We are happy to sit down with seniors for example and explain the industry and their bill to them.”

To learn more about Camrose Energy click here or visit their newly opened office space located in the heart of Downtown Camrose at 4910 51 St. Suite 200.