Energy Is Everywhere!

Have you ever stopped to think about how much energy you use in a day?

From your morning coffee and the drive to work to heating your home, operating farm equipment or running a business, energy is part of almost everything we do.

But where does all that energy come from? And is electricity the only kind we use?

Let's take a closer look!

There's more to energy than electricity!

When we think about energy, electricity often comes to mind first. But across Brant, we rely on several different energy sources to keep things running.

Here's a quick look at some of the energy we use every day.

Electricity

Powers our lights, appliances, electronics, machinery and countless other things we rely on.

Natural gas

Heats many homes and businesses, provides hot water and supports certain industrial activities.

Propane and heating oil

Help heat homes and buildings, particularly in rural areas where natural gas service may not be available. Propane is also used for some agricultural and commercial equipment.

Gasoline and diesel

Keep cars, trucks, tractors and other vehicles and equipment moving.

Each energy source serves a different purpose, and the type we use often depends on where we live, what we do and what services are available.

One community. Many different energy needs.

Think about a typical day across Brant.

A family in Paris might use natural gas to heat their home and electricity to power their appliances.

A farmer near Burford might rely on diesel for tractors, propane for heating and electricity to operate equipment.

A business in St. George might use electricity for lighting and machinery, along with natural gas for heating.

And across the County, energy keeps our community centres, water systems, streetlights and other municipal services operating.

Different places. Different needs. All part of Brant's energy picture.

Why does understanding our energy use matter?

Before we can find ways to save energy, reduce costs or explore new energy solutions, we need to understand how energy is being used.

That means looking at questions like:

• What types of energy do we rely on?
• Where and how are we using the most energy?
• Where might energy be going to waste?
• What opportunities could help us use energy more efficiently?

Understanding the answers can help identify practical opportunities for homes, farms, businesses and the community as a whole.

And because everyone's energy needs are different, there's no single solution that will work for everyone.

What does this mean for Brant?

The County is developing a Community Energy Plan to better understand how energy is used throughout our community and explore opportunities for a more efficient, affordable and reliable energy future.

Right now, we're focusing on learning and sharing information.

Beginning in February 2027, we'll invite residents, farmers, businesses and community organizations to share their experiences, priorities and ideas to help inform the plan.