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With energy costs on the rise in the province, a Charters Settlement man is providing relief for residents and consumers with his new business.

Experts say energy prices are expected to climb another two per cent this year due to delays with Point Lepreau's second reactor, but Tony Craft of the Urban Pioneer is trying to help consumers save money on heating costs.

Craft, along with his wife Coleen, own and operate the alternative-energy store, offering customers a variety of energy-saving and energy-efficient products.

He sells windmills, solar panels for generating electricity as well as for heating water and Environmental Protection Agency-approved woodstoves and wood furnaces that are more efficient that conventional woodstoves, he said.

Craft doesn't just sell the alternative-energy products but he uses them on a regular basis and has for some time.

"We live with it," he said.

Living on a large farm in Charters Settlement, Craft said, he dabbled in trying to make his home more energy efficient. He soon saw a difference in his energy bills, and his lifestyle sparked the idea for his business venture.

So last year, the former sheet metalist decided it was time for a career change and go into business for himself with something he enjoyed.

"We dabbled in heating water at the house, heated with wood and cooked on wood," Craft said. "So we took on this really nice line of woodstoves."

It just blossomed from there, and in August, he opened up shop in Charters Settlement. He said business has been steady since, with people making lots of inquiries and gearing up for the winter months.

Craft said he's not competing with big-box stores nor is he trying to get people to go off the grid. He offers consumers more of a supplement to conserve energy, thus saving them money.

"I'm trying to give people an option, if their heating bills are high," Craft said.

"The solar panels (system) to heat water, that is very cost effective. We have got it in the house here. We have had it for two or three years now, (and) it does make a major difference."

Using alternative-energy products not only saves money and energy, but it also preserves the environment.

Craft said using an EPA-approved woodstove is 30 per cent more efficient than conventional wood-burning stoves, and it cuts pollutants by 90 per cent.

He said it's only a matter of time before government provides subsidies for installation of alternative energy, which is already happening in Europe.

In Germany, he said, residents receive a subsidy from the government to install solar panels on their roofs, and any excess energy is purchased back.

"So it is a win-win situation, and I think it is wonderful," Craft said. "It is going to come here too, it's only a matter of time."

Craft hopes the alternative trend will catch on in the capital region and continue to grow.

"I'm sure it is going to, and I'm very encouraged by it," he said.

Moving on up

A long-standing business will have a new location later this fall.

Electric Motor Service Co. is moving to a new location along Bishop Drive, across from the old Saturn dealership.

Manager Lloyd Wilcox said the move is necessary as the business has outgrown its Westmorland Street location.

The new location is ideal, he said.

"That particular part of town is growing," he said.

The company is growing and is doing a lot of shipping, Wilcox said, and the Bishop Drive location will allow the company continue to grow and expand its wholesale and distribution business.

Being next to Route 8, he said, will make it easier and more convenient for trucks to get in and out.

It will also allow the company to have its shop and warehouse - which it rents on Hanwell Road - under one roof.

Construction is underway. Wilcox expects the company will move into its new building by the end of November.

National recognition

A Fredericton consulting firm received a pretisgious recognition last week.

Ocean Valley Associates Consulting Ltd. - which specializes in environmental project management, environmental sciences and environmental engineering - was named as one of Canada's top 50 best website designs.

Web50.ca, a Canadian collective of talented designers, marketing managers and online media buyers and who all share a passion for web design, presented the firm with the distinction.

Ocean Valley senior vice-president and senior archaeologist Grant Aylesworth said the company feels honoured to have made the list.

"We're in very good company, especially with folks like Alexander Keiths, and other folks that are based in the Maritimes that have huge marketing and media budgets," Aylesworth said.

"We're a relatively small firm with a relatively small budget for that sort of thing. It's important for us to be recognized.

"None of our competitors in environmental consulting showed up on that list. It's just a nice honour that helps us to market ourselves and to get attention."

Shawn Merrithew is a freelance journalist. If you have news items about local business for Networking, email news@dailygleaner.com.