Energy Efficiency

Home improvements increase your home enjoyment, but they also affect your home's resale value - 72% of Canadians will look for a green-improved property in their next home purchase, and 63% will pay more for an environmentally friendly home*.  These tips will help you plan for your energy efficiency improvements with a focus on resale value:

Audit - Hire a home energy auditor to identify upgrades that save average homeowners 30% on annual energy costs.  Take advantage of government grants and rebates to help mitigate the costs

Seal - Caulk and weather strip air leaks around windows, doors, vents, electrical and plumbing.  Identify and seal leaks in attics, basements and crawlspaces, and properly seal ductwork to save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs

Insulate - Install or upgrade insulation for the best performance. To optimize heat resistance, understand insulation R-values and the minimum values recommended for floors, walls and attics according to your climate

Change - Swap leaky doors and windows with high performance options that include low-e coatings and inert gas fills.  They offer significant improvements in solar control, thermal comfort and energy savings, reducing heating costs by 35%

Replace - Increase the efficiency of your furnace and air conditioner up to 50% by replacing filters regularly.  Consider replacing older heating and cooling systems with higher efficiency units that reduce energy use by up to 20%

Control - Reduce heating and cooling bills by up to 10% with a programmable thermostat.  Follow energy efficient temperature set points and reduce heating or cooling when you are sleeping or away

Water - Fix leaky faucets and choose low-flow fixtures and faucet aerators to save up to 50% on water and energy consumption.  Insulate water pipes and heaters and practice conservation with water-related appliances

Light - Use 10 times longer lasting compact florescent bulbs which utilize 75% less energy than standard bulbs.  Dimmer switches also help reduce energy consumption and promote longer bulb life. 

Landscape - Plant trees and save 25% on heating and cooling consumption.  Plant deciduous trees in front of southern facing windows and coniferous trees in front of windows facing north. 

Shop - Look for the Energy Star symbol when purchasing appliances, home systems and electronics to help save on energy costs and reduce emissions

Greening your home helps reduce your energy bills and promotes a healthier planet, while improving the resale value of your home. Of Canadians willing to pay more for a greener home, 62% are willing to pay between $5,000 and $20,000 for green features*.