Climate Action Resources

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has partnered with Properate to help homeowners learn about their home’s energy efficiency and how to plan for and implement effective, cost-saving, energy solutions.

Whether you’re interested in reducing your home’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or lowering your energy bill, RDOS Properate.io is a tool that can help you find a start to your project while providing online expert advice in under five minutes.

Why this partnership?
The RDOS is launching a pilot project with Properate.io beginning June 2022. The goal of the project is to help improve local climate action through energy efficiency in homes. Properate provides a home energy evaluation and home upgrade reports for RDOS residents and property owners. 

This online tool can help you make the right decisions – in order of your personal priorities – and provides additional tools when talking with contracts, starting your own projects, or seeking to make a difference to your carbon footprint.

What is Properate?
Properate is a BC-based company providing data services for renovations. Properate has worked with numerous municipalities around the province using their proprietary tools to help residents and homeowners, as well as local and regional governments, better achieve their climate objectives. 

Properate Sponsor List

How do I use it? 

1- Visit RDOS Properate.io  and enter your home address

2- Get your free preliminary energy report in just 5 minutes

3- Book a consultation to go through your report with one of Properate experts

Features

  • Home energy evaluation: Visit properate.io to get a free energy evaluation report of your home. The initial remote assessment will help you identify your home performance.
  • Upgrade planning: There is no straightforward way to home upgrade. The home works as a system. Properate optimizes your home upgrade planning to maximize the rebates, save on energy bills and reduce your home's greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Your greener neighborhood: Properate promotes greener communities. You and your neighbors can now sign up on Properate to apply for group rebates which give you top-up rebates towards your renovation.
  • Consultation: Not sure where to start making your home more sustainable and efficient? Sign up for a free consultation.
  • Less cost, more energy efficiency: Don’t rely on guesses and random advice. Find your best upgrade with the latest building science and energy modeling. 

report pics

Report sample Front Page

Frequently Asked Questions about Properate

Do I need to pay to use the service?

No, the service is completely free!

What if my address is not on the map?

If we don't have your address on the map, there is nothing to worry about. You can get a Properate house report and this data will be added to the map after that. Please remember, unfortunately, apartments and mobile homes are not included in this pilot.

What does an efficient building mean?

Any building that is heated or cooled uses energy. Some of this energy is lost through gaps in walls and equipment which does not operate at 100% and other factors. A building with minimum losses is efficient and maximum losses are inefficient.

Where does the data from the map come from?

We use various data sources such as BC Assessment and Cadastral database to map and evaluate buildings.

How do you use my data in the future?

We use data gathered to increase the accuracy of our energy evaluations. For further information, please see the properate privacy policy.

What happens after my assessment?

As part of Properate's partnership with the RDOS, residents are able to book a free phone consultation with a certified building scientist. 

Who is a building scientist and how can they help you? 

A building scientist guides you through your home upgrade planning by identifying the issues and recommending solutions. This is a scientific process that is independent from any brands or products.

How to get the most out of your consultation?

Briefly describe the main heating cooling and energy issues in your home. State if you have done any home improvement work in the past. The consultant will need to understand your goals. For example, what issues are most important to you? Are you looking for more comfort, increasing your home’s value, maximizing your eligible rebates or reducing your carbon footprint? During the consultation, feel free to ask about renovation rebates available for your home and group rebates available in your neighbourhood. 

What happens after the consultation?

Homeowners are free to proceed as they wish, with no obligation at all. Depending on your home and rebates available, we might recommend that you book an on-site energy evaluation by a registered energy advisor to provide you with more insights on-site.

Climate action resources are provided below, with many created specifically for property owners and residents of the South Okanagan-Similkameen. 

Climate Action Resources
climate Proj Snippit5

February 2020 Climate Projections for the Okanagan Region

 

This report is intended to support a local understanding of how climate across the Okanagan is projected to change, and inform regional planning on how to prepare for future climate events. This work is critical to maintaining wellbeing, including robust ecosystems, a thriving community, and a vibrant economy. Early efforts to prepare infrastructure and communities for climate change will reduce regional reliance on continued emergency management activations and support the ability of the region to thrive over time. 

This report offers climate projections for the Okanagan in the 2050s and forward to the 2080s. The 2050s projections are useful for medium-term planning purposes, while the 2080s provide guidance for long-term planning and decision-making. Findings indicate that the Okanagan can expect significant changes to climate in the coming decades.


Cover LakeshoreLiving 

A Resource For Okanagan and Similkameen Lakeshore Living

 

A healthy and natural shoreline protects your property from flooding and keeps the water safe and clean for people and animals. A healthy lake can enhance tourism, increase property values and reduce future costs from water treatment, shoreline management, and flooding. This guide provides resources for residents to support sustainable lakeshore living. 

 TOClimateActionPlan7  

As a first step towards coordinated action on climate changes across the Ministry, all regions and program areas are required to develop Climate Action Plans (CAPs) that address the goals and objectives of the Climate Change Strategy.

 

This Thompson/Okanagan Region Climate Action Plan will satisfy these requirements and will provide guidance towards addressing climate change risks in our day to day operations.  

 OkanaganStrategies4

 

The strategy outlines the anticipated changes in climate and the associated effects on agricultural entities. It provides clear actions suited to local specifics, capacity, and resources.

 BildingClimateGuide4  

RDOS & Real Estate Foundation of BC

Building Climate Resilience in the Okanagan

This homeowner's resource guide introduces the reader to the unique Okanagan environment, and provides advice on how to use this knowledge to enhance and future-proof your property. 

 AClimateChange Kelowna  

City of Kelowna  

A Changing Climate

In 2017 Kelowna experienced several major weather events similar to those we expect to occur more regularly in a future influenced by climate change. By understanding how climate change is impacting our community, it is possible to understand how the City and community should respond to this emerging issue to complement the City's efforts on Climate Action.