ACPAtlantic Construction Podcast// HOSTED BY DANIEL ARSENAULT
HOME / COMPANIES / EfficiencyOne
// COMPANY DOSSIER

EfficiencyOne

Independent, not-for-profit energy efficiency utility that operates the Efficiency Nova Scotia program brand, delivering rebates, conservation programs, financing, and low-income upgrades to Nova Scotia homes and businesses under a demand-side management mandate funded through Nova Scotia Power ratepayers and the Province.

📍 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, CanadaEst. 2010100% first-party verified
SiteLinkedIn
EfficiencyOne website
VISIT www.efficiencyone.ca
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// CLIPS FROM EfficiencyOne
Story · 25:46
They wanted to implement this system access charge but it wasn't very well thought out at all
Framework · 7:54
As the solar energy contractor we are kind of the last thing that you should be doing for your home
Emotional · 56:30
There's a real importance to like find your tribe kind of thing
Emotional · 51:34
Early days I was like a bit of a cowboy, not having dependents I could take risks
Story · 2:57
I had this idea of like okay I'm take this old cargo van and turn it into a camper
Hot take · 28:46
Those first three years are really tough right and like you're carrying a vision forward
Hot take · 18:58
They're all coming in at like 21 22% efficient these days
Framework · 11:18
We do relate it a little bit to the heat pump contractors
Framework · 40:04
There's a tax credit it's called the clean technology investment tax credit
All clips ▸
// LESSONS FROM EfficiencyOne
Position solar as the final sustainability step after a tight building envelope, not a substitute for insulation and good windows.
EP 78 · John Jennex
Early in a new technology market, you must sell the category itself, not just your company; client education is the first job.
EP 78 · John Jennex
Adoption tips when efficiency, trust, and cost mature together; watch the heat-pump curve as a template for where solar is headed.
EP 78 · John Jennex
Standing-seam metal roofs are ideal because clamps fasten to the seams with zero penetrations; have a solution ready for every roof type.
EP 78 · John Jennex
Sell on lifecycle economics: solar's 25-year warranties and no moving parts beat alternatives like wind turbines warrantied for only three years.
EP 78 · John Jennex
In a politically charged market, a single regulatory change can wipe out your business; treat policy risk as core operating risk.
EP 78 · John Jennex
All lessons ▸
// SELECTED PROJECTS
2027–2031 Demand-Side Management (DSM) Plan
Awarded
Regulatory five-year efficiency program plan · Nova Scotia · 2026
Plan filer / program administrator · $318.75M planned investment ($63.75M/year, held flat); projected >$680M in ratepayer electricity bill savings
Filed with the Nova Scotia Energy Board on April 1, 2026; intended to take effect January 1, 2027 (pending regulatory approval). Status 'awarded' reflects the mandate/filing; regulatory approval was not separately confirmed at freshness check.
✓ verifiedSOURCE ▸
HomeWarming
In progress
Low-income home energy upgrade program · Nova Scotia
Program administrator/deliverer (on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power)
Provides free energy assessments and home upgrades (insulation, draft-proofing) to income-qualified Nova Scotians; funded by the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power.
✓ verifiedSOURCE ▸
Efficiency Insights (within MyEnergy Insights)
Completed
Digital customer energy-use tool feature · Nova Scotia
Partner with Nova Scotia Power
Joint feature with Nova Scotia Power letting customers understand energy use and find savings programs. Launch year not pinned at freshness check.
✓ verifiedSOURCE ▸
// KEY PEOPLE
MC
Martha Casey
Interim President & CEO (also Chief Operating Officer)
profile ▸
SM
Stephen MacDonald
Former President & CEO (departed March 27, 2026; led the organization ~10 years)
profile ▸
NH
Nikki Hilton
Chief Financial Officer
profile ▸
EP
Errol Pereira
Senior Director, Engineering & Planning
profile ▸
// NOTABLE
EfficiencyOne / Efficiency Nova Scotia describes itself as Canada's first energy efficiency utility, an independent not-for-profit holding the franchise to deliver energy efficiency and conservation in Nova Scotia.
SOURCE ▸
Stephen MacDonald stepped down as President & CEO with a final day of March 27, 2026; COO Martha Casey was appointed Interim President & CEO effective March 28, 2026.
SOURCE ▸
EfficiencyOne was named one of Atlantic Canada's Top Employers, marking its fifth consecutive year at the January 17, 2023 announcement.
SOURCE ▸
RESEARCHED 2026-06-14 · 10 sources · 100% first-party verified · podscope deep-research