Results of the 2005 Participants Meeting

ENERGY STAR^® Recognition Awards Presentation

Thursday, May 4, 2006

Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Award Winners for 2006

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR – Multiple Products

Whirlpool Canada Inc.

When it comes to manufacturing ENERGY STAR qualified appliances in a variety of categories, sizes and price ranges, Whirlpool Canada stands above the competition. The company's commitment to continually expand its ENERGY STAR qualified product line has earned Whirlpool Canada its third Manufacturer of the Year award in four years.

Whirlpool Canada continues to increase the proportion of ENERGY STAR qualified products sold in its main appliance categories. ENERGY STAR qualified models accounted for 54.4 percent of the company's refrigeration, washer and dishwasher sales in 2005 – a 14 percent increase over two years ago. More than 54 percent of the refrigeration appliances manufactured and sold by Whirlpool, and more than 97 percent of dishwashers, qualified for the ENERGY STAR symbol in 2005!

Whirlpool Canada drives the affordability and accessibility of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances by ensuring that consumers have a wide range of choices, even in the more inexpensive segments of the company's product lineup. In 2005, for example, Whirlpool Canada introduced a new ENERGY STAR qualified front-loading washer with an entry-level price.

The company's commitment to ENERGY STAR labelling is also exemplary. In many cases, Whirlpool Canada displays the ENERGY STAR symbol on the product itself, as well as on the product tag, thus continuing to reinforce the energy efficiency message to consumers even after the appliance has left the store.

Whirlpool Canada estimates that its sales of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances in 2005 and early 2006 have helped to reduce annual electricity consumption by 85 million kWh – enough to power more than 7000 homes for a year. Equally as impressive, an estimated 9000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided.

Whirlpool Canada manufactures KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Inglis, Roper and Admiral appliances, as well as Kenmore appliances for Sears.

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR – Specific Product

Vinyl Window Designs Ltd.

Vinyl Window Designs Ltd. was quick to recognize the power of the ENERGY STAR symbol – and has been working hard ever since to make sure others do as well.

One of the first window manufacturers in Canada to join ENERGY STAR, Vinyl Window Designs now has products that meet the program's strict criteria in all regions of the country, including the Far North. This builds on the company's longstanding commitment to energy efficiency – even before ENERGY STAR for windows was launched in Canada, Vinyl Window Designs was at the forefront of designing and manufacturing high-quality products that offered increased comfort and energy savings for homeowners.

The company's commitment to ENERGY STAR is evident in all aspects of its business. The ENERGY STAR symbol is featured prominently on point-of-purchase materials for qualified products, on Vinyl Window Designs' trucks and trailers, and on the main sign in front of its manufacturing facility in Woodbridge, north of Toronto.

The ENERGY STAR symbol also appears in many of the company's marketing materials. For example, Vinyl Window Design has distributed 200 000 copies of a newspaper flyer that features the ENERGY STAR symbol and provides information on EnerGuide for Houses and the One-Tonne Challenge. A company advertisement with the ENERGY STAR symbol was also placed in Homes and Cottages magazine.

In addition to promoting its own products, however, the company has aggressively boosted the profile of ENERGY STAR across the industry. Vinyl Window Designs has provided ENERGY STAR information and training for window dealers – both its own and those affiliated with competitors – at trade shows and other venues. The company has also encouraged and assisted its dealers to register as ENERGY STAR participants, which in turn has drawn attention to the program and contributed to its early success in the windows product line.

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Home Depot Canada

Home Depot Canada is already the largest home improvement retailer in Canada – now the company aims to establish itself as the leading seller of products and services that have a positive, measurable impact on the environment. One way it is doing so is by phasing out the sale of conventional merchandise in favour of ENERGY STAR qualified products.

As a result of its commitment to market better choices to its customers, Home Depot Canada now retails close to 400 ENERGY STAR qualified products in its 125 stores across Canada. It regularly promotes these products through flyers, pamphlets and catalogues, as well as in television and radio advertisements and on the company's Web site. In-store customer seminars are also held to increase awareness of environmental issues and the benefits of purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified products.

Home Depot Canada participated in three extremely successful energy efficiency campaigns featuring ENERGY STAR qualified products in 2005:

• The Keep Cool program offered a $25 Home Depot gift card to customers in the Toronto area who recycled an old, inefficient room air conditioner. Customers were encouraged to use the gift card to purchase a new ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioner or other ENERGY STAR qualified products for their home.
• The Bright Ideas program offered two free compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to every household in Toronto, along with rebate coupons to encourage the purchase of additional CFLs. The promotion resulted in more than half a million ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs being introduced to Toronto households.
• Energy Smarts – the largest annual retail-based energy efficiency campaign in Canada – included numerous rebate offers and financial incentives for ENERGY STAR qualified products such as CFLs and programmable thermostats.

This is Home Depot Canada's third ENERGY STAR Recognition Award; the company was named ENERGY STAR Retailer of the Year in 2004 and ENERGY STAR Advocate of the Year in 2005.

UTILITY OF THE YEAR – Regional

Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc.

Homeowners and small businesses in Barrie, Ontario, are reaping economic and environmental benefits from more than $2 million worth of ENERGY STAR qualified products, thanks to an innovative program that has earned Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc. an award as ENERGY STAR Utility of the Year (Regional).

The Appliance Rebate Program offered the utility's residential and small business customers an eight percent rebate on the purchase price of ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, air conditioners, home entertainment equipment, furnaces, front-loading washing machines, office equipment and other appliances. The rebate was credited directly to the customer's Barrie Hydro account, to a maximum of $200 per customer.

Barrie Hydro promoted the program through bill inserts, point-of-sale materials and the utility's Web site. Retailers supported the initiative by making rebate application forms available to customers and by training their sales representatives on how to administer the forms. Sales staff were also encouraged to promote the rebate offer and the benefits of purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified products. Customers who were replacing appliances, televisions, computer monitors and air conditioners were reminded to dispose of their old products in an environmentally safe manner.

Between April and November 2005, Barrie Hydro helped consumers purchase more than $2 million worth of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. Demand for the rebate was so strong that the utility twice had to increase the budget by drawing funds from other programs.

Barrie Hydro is also leading by example in its own operations. Virtually all of the utility's CRT computer monitors have been replaced with ENERGY STAR qualified LCD monitors, and all PCs have been programmed to reduce standby power consumption. Two inefficient refrigerators in the staff lunchroom were replaced with ENERGY STAR qualified models, and ENERGY STAR criteria are now considered by the utility when it purchases new office equipment.

UTILITY OF THE YEAR – Provincial

Manitoba Hydro

Manitoba Hydro's Power Smart initiative – already one of the most strong demand side management programs in Canada – was handed a new challenge in December 2004 when the province announced a doubling of its electricity energy savings target over the next 13 years. The utility has turned to a proven marketing tool – ENERGY STAR – to help get the job done.

From September to the end of December 2005, for example, Manitoba Hydro delivered the ENERGY STAR Windows Promotion as part of a larger program that offers low-interest loans to homeowners who undertake energy-efficient renovations. Applications for loans for ENERGY STAR qualified windows increased by approximately 10 percent during the promotion.

Another program   the Power Smart New Home Program   offers financial support to Manitobans who build a home to Power Smart levels, which requires the use of an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, windows and CFLs. Homeowners who do so have the choice of receiving a $600 credit on their utility bill or $1,000 toward the purchase of an ENERGY STAR qualified front-loading washer. Enrollment in this program increased by an amazing 400 percent from year one to year two.

The Power Smart Compact Fluorescent Lighting Program distributes complimentary CFLs during promotional campaigns in the spring and fall of each year. In 2005, Manitoba Hydro worked with more than 100 participating retailers to deliver the program, which is contributing to lower prices and increased consumer acceptance of CFLs across the province. According to a follow-up survey, most of the utility's customers are now paying $5 or less per CFL (before rebates or incentives), compared to $6 to $10 in 2004, and 93 percent indicated that the Manitoba Hydro promotion influenced their decision to use CFLs.

The newest addition to Manitoba Hydro's lineup of ENERGY STAR initiatives is the Power Smart Furnace and Boiler Replacement Program, a joint initiative with Natural Resources Canada. Launched in the fall of 2005, it offers a rebate for the installation of an ENERGY STAR qualified replacement natural gas furnace or boiler. The program's launch was supported by a persuasive advertising campaign aimed at informing consumers that inefficient heating systems waste fuel and “burn money”

Once again in 2005, Manitoba Hydro has established itself as a national leader in implementing strategies to transform the market toward increased energy efficiency. This is the utility's second ENERGY STAR award, after winning in the Promotional Campaign category in 2005.

PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – Multiple Products

Terasen Gas

The popularity of ENERGY STAR qualified natural gas heating systems reached an all-time high in British Columbia in 2005 – and much of the credit must go to Terasen Gas, a company that is deeply committed to improving the energy efficiency of B.C.'s residential space heating market.

Terasen Gas has long encouraged its customers to install high-efficiency equipment when replacing an existing furnace or boiler. In 2005, however, the company pulled out all the stops, stepping up its marketing efforts and expanding its ENERGY STAR education and incentive campaign into the new construction market.

Terasen Gas develops and implements customized promotional strategies for each of its target audiences, which range from homeowners - including many who have never used natural gas – to builders/developers and tradespeople. Its marketing approach leaves no stone unturned: in 2005, Terasen Gas promoted the purchase and installation of ENERGY STAR qualified products using everything from bill inserts and direct mail to radio, television and print advertising, point-of-purchase displays, toll-free telephone numbers, “tool kits” for contractors, participation in trade shows and, of course, its own Web site.

In partnership with Natural Resources Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, BC Hydro, FortisBC and heating equipment manufacturers, the company has implemented a comprehensive portfolio of programs. Financial incentives were offered in 2005 to encourage existing customers to upgrade a natural gas furnace or boiler to an ENERGY STAR qualified model; to encourage new customers to convert from oil, propane or electric space heating to an ENERGY STAR qualified system; and to entice builders to install ENERGY STAR qualified natural gas heating systems and natural gas domestic water heaters in their new homes.

Early results from these programs indicate that Terasen Gas's promotional campaigns have hit the mark. The company's rebate offers – some of which are ongoing in 2006 – have already supported the installation (or planned installation) of more than 4500 ENERGY STAR qualified heating systems in British Columbia. Terasen Gas previously won an ENERGY STAR award as Advocate of the Year in 2004.

PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – Specific Product

JELD-WEN Windows and Doors (United Window Division)

As the largest supplier of windows and doors to the new construction housing market in Ontario, JELD-WEN Windows and Doors (United Window Division) is well-situated to help transform the market. The company has taken full advantage of that position by launching an aggressive marketing campaign that has raised awareness of its ENERGY STAR qualified products – and ENERGY STAR in general – across the province.

JELD-WEN believes strongly that energy efficiency is an important consideration for new home buyers, which is why it offers ENERGY STAR qualified products to all of its customers, from Ottawa to Windsor. Even when a builder does not specify energy-efficient units, JELD-WEN's sales representatives include prices for ENERGY STAR qualified products in cost quotations to reinforce that the option is available and affordable. Builders who agree to offer ENERGY STAR qualified windows as standard equipment in a subdivision, rather than as an upgrade, receive a price discount.

To ensure that home builders and the buying public are fully aware of the availability of the company's ENERGY STAR qualified products, JELD-WEN makes good use of the ENERGY STAR symbol in its marketing materials. It has also advertised the availability of its ENERGY STAR qualified windows in home builder magazines and the Toronto Star, and includes information on ENERGY STAR in its PowerPoint presentations to customers.

JELD-WEN has developed display materials for use in model homes to provide prospective buyers with information on ENERGY STAR qualified windows, as well as materials that allow builders to proudly associate themselves with JELD-WEN and its ENERGY STAR qualified products. Among JELD-WEN's other innovations is a heat lamp device (units are currently being manufactured) that will enable home buyers to see and feel the benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified windows.

As a result of these and other efforts, JELD-WEN increased its sales of ENERGY STAR qualified windows by 52 percent in 2005, with further sales growth in excess of 200 percent anticipated for 2006.

PARTICIPANT OF THE YEAR

G.I.T. Doors and Windows Ltd.

In an age when saving energy is an important and widespread social concern, G.I.T. Doors and Windows Ltd, a leading supplier of fenestration products in Québec, is doing its part for the environment and the economy by launching ENERGIUM – the first aluminum window in Canada to qualify for the ENERGY STAR symbol.

ENERGIUM is nothing short of a revolution in the building industry. Far from being obsolete, it is expected to show that superior-quality, energy-efficient aluminum windows have a promising future in the Canadian marketplace.

For the first time, an affordably priced aluminum window is available that offers far greater cold resistance than most other aluminum windows currently being manufactured in Québec. Meeting the ENERGY STAR program's strict technical requirements for windows was a goal of the company's management from day one of the product development process.

In March 2006, G.I.T. Doors and Windows Ltd launched a contest to encourage window dealers in Québec to offer the ENERGIUM product line to their customers. A separate sales promotion is being run for consumers. Called “Energize Your Interior!,” the contest offers winners a 50 percent rebate on a current or future purchase of ENERGIUM windows.

ENERGIUM received a special mention as an innovative home building product at the Contech Innovation Awards in November 2005.

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Multiple Products

Toronto Community Housing Corporation

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) – the second largest housing provider in North America – is on a mission to make the ENERGY STAR symbol a common sight for the 580,000 households it serves in the Greater Toronto Area.

As part of a major appliance replacement and energy retrofit program launched in 2002, TCHC has installed 20 000 ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators and more than 150 ENERGY STAR qualified front-loading washers in its housing units over the past three years. TCHC is committed to doubling its efforts in 2006 by installing an additional $10 million worth of ENERGY STAR appliances in 40 buildings and implementing a $5 million retrofit of in-suite and common-area lighting using ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs.

TCHC is also breaking down market barriers to increased energy efficiency by distributing a flyer, translated into 18 languages to reflect the diversity of the Corporation's tenants, explaining how to keep new ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators working well. Staff are being trained to explain to tenants why the Corporation has chosen ENERGY STAR qualified products and how they should be used for optimum performance and energy savings.

TCHC works closely with NRCan to ensure that the technical specification it uses to procure items such as refrigerators, front-loading washers and compact fluorescent lamps are up to date with ENERGY STAR requirements. In 2005, the Corporation signed an agreement with NRCan to monitor the energy consumption of a sample of old appliances scheduled for replacement and new clothes dryers and stoves, as well as ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, and washers. The results revealed, for example, that ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators were on average 43 percent more efficient than the models they replaced, thus supporting TCHC's decision to purchase energy-efficient appliances for long-term savings.

TCHC's procurement division is now looking at applying ENERGY STAR criteria to the Corporation's purchases of office equipment. As well, a program to replace inefficient window air conditioners with ENERGY STAR qualified units is under consideration.

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Specific Product

Thermoplast

Thermoplast is one of the largest companies in Canada devoted exclusively to PVC profile extrusion for door and window systems. Its distinction stems from its unmatched personalized service, which enables it to progressively introduce its innovative products while meeting the specific needs of manufacturers and their respective markets.

In 2006, Thermoplast is celebrating 40 years of dedication and success among consumers, in an industry where energy efficiency is at the heart of government concerns. As an ENERGY STAR advocate, Thermoplast has put in place extensive information, support and awareness programs for its partners. Thanks to the introduction of Canada's ENERGY STAR High Efficiency Program, the company has been able to become an active participant in market transformation.

In order to enrich the partnerships developed with its customers, the company has introduced a special program called S.P.O.R.T.S., which stands for Strategic Partnership through Organized Regular Technical Support. With ENERGY STAR energy efficiency at the forefront, Thermoplast works closely with its customers who manufacture window products by holding seminars that explain and promote ENERGY STAR certification.

In 2005, Thermoplast invested $300,000 to develop a rigorous testing program for its window products such that its customers who manufacture windows can meet the ENERGY STAR requirements. These customers now have access to a full range of window systems that can be built to suit any of Canada's weather conditions (60 window systems, more than 2,300 products).

Thanks to these efforts and its partnership approach with customers, Thermoplast has successfully raised awareness of the ENERGY STAR program in Canada. Thermoplast's new customers, motivated by the success of their predecessors, in turn demand quality products and count on Thermoplast's expertise to successfully satisfy the ENERGY STAR requirements.

RECRUIT OF THE YEAR

Project Porchlight – One Change Campaign

If every household in Canada replaced just one regular light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lamp, the reduction in pollution would be the equivalent of taking 66 000 cars off the road. So how hard can it be to change a light bulb?

Project Porchlight is a new grassroots campaign to stimulate individual action on climate change by delivering one free ENERGY STAR qualified CFL to every household in Canada, beginning with the 50 000 households in Ottawa South. An initiative of One Change, a registered not-for-profit organization in Ottawa, the campaign was launched in the fall of 2005 and is run by volunteers in partnership with businesses and community groups.

In the first five weeks of the Ottawa South pilot project, volunteers delivered more than 15 000 free ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs to households through door-to-door visits and community events. As well, a coupon mailed out to all households in Ottawa South in late December generated a 15 percent response rate, with 9000 households redeeming the coupon for a free CFL at Giant Tiger stores.

All bulbs, boxes and campaign literature for Project Porchlight feature the ENERGY STAR symbol. As well, the coupon package mailed to Ottawa South residents encouraged homeowners to “Always choose products and appliances that display the ENERGY STAR logo” – great advice from a new ENERGY STAR recruit.

Project Porchlight's goal of delivering a free ENERGY STAR qualified CFL to every household in Canada is ambitious, but the success of the Ottawa South pilot project bodes well for the future. In fact, Canadians can expect to hear a lot more about this exciting initiative in the years ahead: thanks in part to widespread media coverage, Project Porchlight is already spreading to other communities – and with it, ENERGY STAR's profile.

Partners in Ottawa South pilot project include Natural Resources Canada, Hydro Ottawa, Giant Tiger, TD Financial Group, gordongroup Marketing + Communications, Conglom, EcoEnergy Choices Ottawa, Bridgehead and the Canterbury Community Association.

COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

Clean Air Foundation

There is strength in numbers – just ask the Clean Air Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to engaging Canadians in achieving measurable emission reductions. The Foundation readily acknowledges that the secret to its success lies in large, broad-based partnerships, a fact that has earned the organization its third ENERGY STAR award in four years.

A strong supporter of ENERGY STAR in Canada, the Clean Air Foundation has worked closely with a range of stakeholders from all levels of government, electric and gas utilities, manufacturers and retailers to promote market transformation. Much of this activity has focussed on increasing the availability, awareness, accessibility, affordability and acceptability of ENERGY STAR qualified products.

Two initiatives in particular show how the Clean Air Foundation is using strategic collaborations to increase public awareness and use of ENERGY STAR qualified products.

Cool Shops is an energy efficiency outreach and education program targeting small retailers. In developing and implementing the 2005 campaign, the Clean Air Foundation recruited and worked with no fewer than 15 partners from government and the utility and business sectors. As a result, Cool Shops was able to visit more than 7000 small retailers in six Ontario cities, conduct over 3200 energy audits, and install more than 4000 ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs – all free of charge.

More than 20 partners – including utilities, product manufacturers and the Government of Canada – supported the Clean Air Foundation's annual Energy Smarts campaign. The 10-day campaign ran in Home Depot stores across Canada in September 2005, offering discounts and information on ENERGY STAR qualified products. Energy Smarts ambassadors from the Clean Air Foundation were in all stores on the weekends of the event to promote the ENERGY STAR message. Also in support of the 2005 campaign, the Clean Air Foundation organized the Ultimate Energy Smarts Home Improvement Package, an online contest that profiled ENERGY STAR qualified products.

Given its record to date – and the positive impact the organization and its partners have had on reducing emissions and improving air quality – there is every reason to believe that the Clean Air Foundation will continue to expand and nurture its collaborative efforts in the years ahead.

SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro)

BC Hydro – through its ever-expanding Power Smart initiative – has emerged as one of Canada's leading advocates of energy efficiency. The utility's commitment to continually increase the market adoption of ENERGY STAR qualified products, together with its impressive record of energy conservation achievements over the past 15 years, has earned BC Hydro the first-ever ENERGY STAR award for Sustained Excellence.

Through creative and effective marketing, BC Hydro Power Smart has overcome significant market barriers and redefined the concept of energy conservation. It has convinced hundreds of thousands of British Columbians to adopt more energy-efficient products, including many that qualify for the ENERGY STAR symbol.

In 2001, BC Hydro initiated an in-depth market analysis to identify the potential for energy efficiency across the province. Since that time, Power Smart planners have worked with key stakeholders to tap the energy savings potential of every sector of the provincial economy. In the residential sector, for example, Power Smart initiatives have greatly expanded the availability, affordability and use of compact fluorescent lights. For the business community, the Power Smart Product Incentive Program is helping small- and medium sized enterprises replace existing equipment with energy-efficient alternatives, including ENERGY STAR qualified products.

Transforming the market towards improved energy efficiency makes good business sense for BC Hydro because it defers the need for new generation capacity. But Power Smart has also saved consumers money and made an important contribution to protecting the environment and securing British Columbia's energy future.

The electricity saved by Power Smart programs through 2005 is enough to power more than 350 000 homes – or every school, university and health care facility in the province. Not content to rest on past laurels, BC Hydro has set aggressive new energy conservation targets for the period from 2002 to 2012. ENERGY STAR continues to be a key tool for getting the job done.

BC Hydro has previously won ENERGY STAR awards as Utility of the Year in 2003 and 2005 and Participant of the Year in 2004.

The 2005 ENERGY STAR Participants' Meeting.

2005 Award Winners

2004 Award Winners

2003 Award Winners