Building greener communities.
Mi’kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project.

Photography Credit: Barry Bernard, Eskasoni

This page is also available in Mi’kmaq

 

No-cost energy efficient upgrades to homes in First Nations.

The Mi’kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project (MHEEP) launched in 2018 and offers no-cost upgrades to improve comfort and reduce energy waste.

Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENS) collaborated with the province of Nova Scotia, housing managers, and community rights holders to determine how to deliver energy efficiency services, tailored to band-owned homes.

Together, we will continue to build greener communities through clean energy that is sustainable now and for future generations.

To date (2019-2023), the Mi’kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project has:

Engaged with all 13 communities, with upgrades completed in over 1,000 homes in First Nations.

Saved the equivalent of 717 homes’ energy use for one year.

Reduced 6,275 tonnes of eCO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of 1,267 passenger vehicles driven for one year.

The majority of contract work is completed by community-preferred partners.

Our commitment is to hire community-preferred contractors, whenever possible. These are contractors that have worked within–or are from–the community. Each contractor’s qualifications are verified before any work is completed.

Band-owned Homes - How to Participate

All single-unit, band owned homes (including duplexes) are eligible. Housing managers send ENS their participation list each year.

There is no application, participants are selected by housing managers. If you are interested in being a part of the project, please contact your housing manager.

Privately-owned Homes - How to Participate

If you own your home (it is not band-owned) and live in a First Nation, you can now apply for MHEEP directly by completing our application for privately-owned homes.

Click on the following link to complete your application.

Apply Now

What energy efficient products are installed?

Every participant begins with an energy assessment by an ENS-qualified partner. This assessment determines which upgrades are needed to optimize energy efficiency, tailored to each individual home. 

Common upgrades include: 

  • Draft-proofing
  • Insulation
  • Ductless mini-split heat pumps

“They did a good job, with both parties that worked with me at my home. They asked questions and ensured that I understood the workings of my new heat pump. All in all, I am very satisfied with the professionalism of each crew – who left the house neat and tidy.”

Joe Hart, Wagmatcook

Community-preferred Contractor Spotlight

Meet Al Gould.

Al lives in Eskasoni and is the owner of Al Gould’s Electrical. His company specializes in the installation of heat pumps and HRV systems and has been apart of MHEEP since the beginning. “Most of my contract work is around Unama’ki (Cape Breton), but I’ve travelled as far as Millbrook,” Al says. “It keeps me busy, but it’s good to see homes improve their comfort through these upgrades.”

Funding for the Mi’kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project

This program receives funding from several sources:

• The Government of Canada
• The Province of Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources and Renewables
• Demand Side Management funding regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review board, funded by Nova Scotia electricity ratepayers