Do you want to kick off 2025 being more mindful of energy savings and sustainability?
CRD has all the tools to help you get started!
As a partnership between the Capital Regional District (CRD) and Greater Victoria Public Library (along with other local libraries), new thermal imaging camera kits and updated Climate Action To-Go Kits are now available to borrow.
These kits are designed to help residents understand and take action on climate change.
“The Climate Action To-Go Kit program continues to offer an interactive way for residents to learn about climate change and take meaningful action,” says Nikki Elliott, Manager of CRD Climate Action Programs.
“These kits include practical tools and activities for reducing household greenhouse gas emissions—especially from sources like transportation, buildings, and waste, which are the region’s largest contributors—and preparing our homes and communities for current and future climate impacts”.
This new program loans out high-tech thermal cameras to aid residents in visualizing drafts, insulation gaps, and heat loss through walls in their homes—all of which can have big impacts on your Fortis and Hydro bills.
According to the CRD, winter is the best time to use the tool, when 10-degrees (or greater) vary between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, making the movement of energy more visible.
Additionally, the kit contains additional resources including tips for DIY draft-proofing, and support from the CRD’s Home Energy Navigator program for those looking to undertake larger home energy retrofits.
Along with the new thermal imaging kits, the CRD has updated the Climate Action To-Go Kits, which have been available through the library since 2012. The Climate Action To-Go Kit allow residents to:
- Measure household appliance electricity use with the Kill-A-Watt Meter
- Discover air leaks in walls and around windows using the Thermal Leak Detector
- Tune up a bike or track steps while learning about local active transportation routes
- Test showerhead water efficiency
- Conduct a household waste audit
- Learn about gardening with native plants and drought tolerant species
- And learn how to prepare our homes and communities for the projected climate impacts in our region
“We’re proud to partner with the Capital Regional District to offer new Thermal Camera Kits and updated Climate Action To-Go Kits at GVPL,” said Aiyang Ma, Library Services Librarian at Greater Victoria Public Library.
“Our Thermal Camera Kits give community members a powerful tool to identify energy inefficiencies in their homes, empowering them to take impactful steps toward energy savings and sustainability. Whether you’re looking to reduce energy use or explore ways to take action on climate at home, these resources provide an excellent starting point.”
Kits are available at Greater Victoria Public Library branches, as well as the Sooke and Sidney branches of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, the Salt Spring Island Public Library, the Southern Gulf Islands Community Libraries, and Camosun College Library (Climate Action To-Go Kits only).
Climate Action To-Go Kits
- Where: Greater Victoria Public Library, Vancouver Island Regional Library, Salt Spring Island Library, Southern Gulf Islands Community Libraries, and Camosun College Library (Climate Action To Go Kits only).
- When: Available now! Library hours vary depending on location.
- More info: Online here
