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REISSUE: fixes broken links -- Residential Energy Map helps homeowners understand their home energy use and make cost-saving renovations
October 23, 2023 - 4:48pm
The City of Saskatoon has released a new tool for homeowners to better understand their home’s energy use and make improvements. The map uses artificial intelligence (AI) to produce a digital energy score that can be used to compare against other homes of similar size, age, and type and help users understand how much energy their home consumes. The map also provides each homeowner with a customized “retrofit roadmap” to see what actions they can take to reduce their energy consumption.
“Just like home appliances have energy labels that indicate how efficient they are, this map provides a digital energy score for Saskatoon homes. The lower the score, the more efficient the energy use in that home,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “The Home Energy Map helps residents to visualize their home energy use in a different way, comparing it against other homes in the city, and providing them with a list of renovations they can consider to help decrease energy use.”
Saskatoon’s extreme temperatures means that a lot of energy is used at home, with 42% of Saskatoon’s total greenhouse gas emissions coming from heating, cooling, and providing power to homes. The core objective of the Home Energy Map is to help homeowners build momentum on a retrofit journey, and to connect them to other resources such as Energy Coaching to provide hands-on support through the process.
Users have the option to create an account for their home address and provide additional information about their home - including any upgrades they have already completed - to update the total energy score. While only the home energy score is publicly visible, the tool also provides a set of personalized recommendations to account holders for renovations that could help reduce overall energy consumption.
“The goal of our software tools is to help cities and homeowners to see which actions in which buildings will generate the biggest energy and emissions savings,” says OPEN Technologies CEO Donovan Woollard. “We applaud the City of Saskatoon for its leadership in setting an ambitious reduction target, and for investing in tools like the Home Energy Map to provide a roadmap on how to get there.”
According to the 2023 Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) Homebuyer Preference Survey, four of the top ten most desired features are energy-related, with “overall energy efficient home” among the top priorities for prospective homebuyers.
With the Canada Greener Homes initiative, homeowners can access up to $40,000 in interest free loans, and up to $5,600 in grants, making it easier to fund these kinds of renovation activities. This is the fourth home energy-focused initiative the City has launched in 2023 (links below); all programs were funded by the Green Municipal Fund, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Associated links:
Saskatoon.ca/EnergyMap
Saskatoon.ca/EnergyCoaches
Solar.myheat.ca/saskatoon
Saskatoon.ca/RenoResources
Daily Road Report - October 24, 2023
October 23, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 29TH ST W TO RUSHOLME RD
(Connection work)
Start: October 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 25, 6:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E NB LANES CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Storm pipe repairs)
Start: October 24, 8:00 a.m. End: October 24, 6:00 p.m.
WARMAN RD SB RIGHT TURN LANE CLOSED AT 33RD ST E
(Storm sewer inspection)
Start: October 24, 9:00 a.m. End: October 24, 12:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT SASKATCHEWAN CRES E
(Streetlight cable repair)
Start: October 24, 10:00 a.m. End: October 24, 12:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT COLLEGE DR
(Guardrail repair)
Start: October 24, 10:00 a.m. End: October 24, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 5TH ST E TO 7TH ST E
(Water main work)
Start: October 18, 7:00 a.m. End: October 25, 4:30 p.m.
4TH AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 19TH ST E
(SL&P manhole repair)
Start: September 18, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 5:00 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(SaskEnergy construction)
Start: October 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 3, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: November 3, 4:00 p.m.
22ND ST E EB CURB & CENTER LANE CLOSED FROM AUDITORIUM AVE TO 1ST AVE S
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 11, 7:00 a.m. End: November 30, 4:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Crews and winter road maintenance equipment prepped for first snowfall
October 23, 2023 - 1:01pm
Environment & Climate Change Canada weather forecast models predict the first Arctic air of the season and accumulating snow to hit Saskatoon late Monday and into Tuesday. City crews are fully prepared to respond to winter weather that may affect roadways.
Road conditions can deteriorate with the combination of moisture from snow and below zero temperatures. Drivers should adjust their driving for the road conditions, leave extra room in case you need to stop suddenly and watch for blue and yellow flashing lights on road equipment.
We will continue to monitor high traffic streets and apply de-icing material as required, beginning with Circle Drive and freeways. Crews are ready to initiate plowing and snow grading if the snow accumulates.
Please watch for their blue and amber flashing lights and leave room for road equipment to do their work. Accumulating snow may interrupt the remaining neighbourhoods scheduled for fall sweep. Service Alerts will be issued for any expected changes that may affect the sweep schedule.
Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.
Avenue H closed from 29th Street to Rusholme Road starting Tuesday
October 23, 2023 - 9:34am
Avenue H will be closed from 29th Street to Rusholme Road for connection work starting on Tuesday, October 24, at 7:00 a.m. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take two days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
City of Saskatoon receives $200k funding from Government of Canada for its Active Transportation Plan
February 9, 2023 - 8:51am
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Millar Avenue from 43rd Street to Marquis Drive: Planning project that includes assessment, engagement and design of a multi-use pathway.
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College Drive from Preston Avenue to McOrmond Drive: Feasibility analysis to determine active transportation crossings at interchanges and rail crossings.
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Victoria Avenue from Taylor Street to Ruth Street: Planning project that includes assessment, engagement, and design of pedestrian improvements and an all ages and abilities cycling facility.
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Active Transportation Street Team: Provide an education program about the rules of the road and the existing bike network.
The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce $200,000 funding from the Government of Canada under the Active Transportation Fund to support the implementation of its Active Transportation Plan. The Active Transportation Plan aims to provide more choices to move around Saskatoon by addressing infrastructure for cycling, walking and other modes of active transportation.
“Residents of Saskatoon increasingly walk, bike, drive or use public transportation to get to their destinations. Our government is investing in these projects to ensure their commutes are safe and pleasant, and to encourage more people to take up active transportation. It is good for our health and for our environment,” says the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
“This funding focuses on planning and education projects, which supports the goals of the Active Transportation Plan to have more places for walking and cycling safely, to build a culture for active transportation, and to encourage more people to walk and ride a bike,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation.
The funding is divided between four active transportation projects, with $50,000 allocated for each:
“We continuously invest in making Saskatoon a great place to live. Providing active transportation options is one of many ways we are working to support our residents," says Magus.
Learn more about the City of Saskatoon's Active Transportation Plan.