Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability

Homes & Energy: Coffee Houses on Sustainability

On Saturday January 27th, the Coffee Houses on Sustainability series successfully launched with the first session on homes and energy! CAFES was very proud to be a co-host and supporter alongside the Glebe Community Association Environment Committee who is spearheading the series. The series of events provides neighbours with the opportunity to enjoy coffee, cookies, and engage in conversations with their “knowledgeable neighbours” to share information about sustainability. The session marked the beginning of a six-part series scheduled for 2024, and it drew over 250 people! 

And the event enjoyed fabulous coverage from CBC’s Giacomo Panico In Town and Out and then featured on CTV Ottawa’s evening news.

Participants had the opportunity to rotate tables and discuss and learn from their neighbours about their air source, ground source heat pumps, solar panels, home energy efficiency tips, for homeowners and renters alike. The City of Ottawa's outreach & communications coordinator Aaron Thornell presented on home retrofits, and how the Better Homes Ottawa loan program can help you on your retrofit journey (click here for presentation). To get in touch, email betterhomes@ottawa.ca if you have questions. The second presenter, Patrick Langevin (click here for presentation) discussed getting your older home ready for the future, today. 

Neighbours had different reasons for their interest in home efficiency. Some want to make their homes more comfortable in all seasons, others are interested in reducing electric and heating bills. Many are conscious that homes and other buildings are responsible for some 45% of the greenhouse gases that Ottawa emits.

If you missed session one on Homes & Energy, don't forget to sign up for the next session, which will be Saturday February 24th, 9:30 am -11:00 am on the topic of reducing your carbon footprint. 

Back to All News
magnifierchevron-down