Sustainable Energy
Richmond Hill promotes sustainable energy use to lower energy consumption and associated costs, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Home Energy Improvements
Free Webinar - Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO)
Do you want to reduce utility bills, improve home comfort and reduce greenhouse gas emissions? This free virtual workshop provides insights on heating/cooling systems, insulation, windows, hot water heating and reducing air leakage, as well as eligible rebate programs. It is geared toward single-family homeowners (i.e. detached, semi-detached, townhome house types).
All workshops contain the same content. Limited spots available! Register below:
- Tuesday, September 17 - 6 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 8 - 6 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 19 - 6 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 10 - 6 to 8 p.m.
This workshop is presented in partnership with the City of Markham, City of Vaughan, Humber College and Enbridge Gas.
Home Energy Improvement Survey
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Home Energy Improvement survey and follow-up interviews! We are currently reviewing the results as we develop programs and initiatives to support an energy-wise community. Check back soon for a summary of key findings.
Community Energy Initiatives
Rebates and Incentives |
Explore available federal and provincial rebates through the Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) program, delivered by Enbridge Gas. Other Enbridge rebate and incentive programs include: Income-eligible households with electric heating can receive a FREE air source heat pump, including installation, through the Save on Energy program, an initiative of the IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator). The Windfall Ecology Centre offers assistance and expertise to help navigate the retrofit process, including rebates. |
Home energy efficiency tips |
The following tips can help you reduce energy use and costs in your home:
Learn more power-saving tips. |
Corporate Energy Management
We're doing our part to save energy, money and the environment by installing energy efficient systems in municipal buildings. We also encourage developers to construct energy-efficient homes and buildings in our community, and to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders (e.g. Alectra Utilities formerly PowerStream) to promote energy efficiency and conservation at home.
Annual Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In accordance with Ontario Regulation 25/23 under the Electricity Act, Richmond Hill annually reports and publishes the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of City facilities in the Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions Report.  View the 2023 Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions Report. You can get a paper copy of these reports through the Office of the Clerk, located at: 225 East Beaver Creek Road, Ground Floor |
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Five-year Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Electricity Act requires municipalities to develop and publish energy conservation and demand management plans (Corporate Energy Plans) and to update these plans every five years. The City's 2024 plan will guide energy management and net zero carbon/decarbonization efforts over the next 5 years (2024-2029) and continues to take a proactive approach to reducing energy consumption, costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Unlike previous plans, the focus of this plan is shifting to the reduction of GHG emissions to align with the Council approved target of net zero GHG emissions for the City of Richmond Hill by 2050. The plan details projects that will be implemented over the next five years along with the expected energy, costs and GHG reductions. View the 2024-2029 Corporate Energy Plan The hard copy of the Corporate Energy Plan can be obtained from the Energy Section in the Public Works Operations Division at the Operations Centre, 1200 Elgin Mills Road East. |
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Renewable energy systems |
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Richmond Hill demonstrates its commitment to becoming a leader in sustainable energy use by installing renewable energy systems in City buildings. Renewable energy systems installed in City buildings:
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Outdoor lights conversion to LED project |
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Outdoor lighting in Richmond Hill takes up a large part of our overall energy usage. There are about 16,000 streetlights, 350 parking lot lights and 1,200 park lights in Richmond Hill. Until recently, most of our lights were High Pressure Sodium (HPS) luminaires. In 2019, Richmond Hill converted a majority of its outdoor lights from HPS to energy-efficient Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights. A total of 11,700 streetlights, 700 park lights and 330 parking lot lights were converted to LEDs to reduce energy consumption, costs and associated GHG emissions. As a result of this conversion, the City is saving $650,000 per year in energy costs. |
ClimateWise Building Challenge |
Richmond Hill is proud to participate in the ClimateWise Building Challenge, a York Region-wide, friendly awards and recognition competition created to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve building energy efficiency through collaboration, education, and innovation. This free initiative, run by the ClimateWise Business Network, is open to building owners, property managers, and tenants who want to take climate action. Recognition and achievements will be presented throughout the competition at a regional level. View the Challenge FAQs to learn more. The ClimateWise Business Network also offers free support with Ontario’s Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) program, aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing consumption costs for commercial, industrial or multi-unit residential buildings over 50 000 square feet. Visit windfallcentre.ca/climatewise/benchmarking or call 289-648-4107 for further details. |