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Home > Energy Efficiency Tips & Tools
Invest to Improve
Investing in your home to save energy will pay off for years to come.
If you need a contractor, be sure to get multiple quotes and check references.
Also, visit the Natural Resources Canada Web site at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca
for information on EnerGuide for Houses.
Look at your home's thermal envelope for energy savings
How air-tight is your home's thermal envelope - that is the roof, walls,
windows, and doors? If you have a "leaky house" you'll find
it more difficult and costly to cool and heat.
A thorough caulking, weatherstripping and insulation job can reduce
your cooling and heating bill significantly and provide a much more
comfortable home. Replacing single-pane windows and uninsulated doors
with more energy efficient models will make a big difference too.
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The culprit may be the attic
Heat builds up in the attic and radiates down into
the house. An attic that is under-insulated and unventilated can reach
temperatures up to 54°C (130°F) during a hot summer day.
Good insulation will keep your house cooler in the summer. Remember
to air seal your attic floor before insulating, in order to separate
the attic from the rest of the house. Air that leaks into the attic
through cracks and penetrations lead to moisture related problems.
Consider adding attic ventilation to let air circulate and heat escape.
With passive attic ventilation, roof vents allow air to circulate and
the heat to escape. Adequate ventilation requires a combination of vents
located as high and as low on the roof as possible. This type of attic
ventilation system includes ridge, roof, soffit, and gable end vents.
For maximum air flow, the area of high roof vents should equal the low
vent area.
Vents should be located to give good cross ventilation from end to
end and from bottom to top of the attic space. Take care to ensure that
eaves vents are not blocked by insulation. A contractor can help with
advice on proper size vents.
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Dehumidifiers help cool
In addition to exhaust fans, you may need a
dehumidifier, especially in the basement to reduce humidity in your
entire home.
Most dehumidifiers allow you to set the humidity level like a thermostat-it
will start and shut itself off automatically. This saves energy costs
and equipment wear. Home dehumidifiers collect as much as 50 litres
of water per day.
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Keep one room cool with a room air conditioner
Window air conditioners are ideal for cooling one room of a house.
They're easy to control and adjust. You can cut your air-conditioning
electrical costs by up to 30 per cent a year by buying the most energy-efficient
model.
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Central air conditioners for the whole house
A central air conditioning unit is added to an existing forced air
system and uses the ductwork to provide cool air. Cooling is controlled
by a thermostat. Although the initial cost may be relatively high, it's
more efficient than operating several window air conditioners.
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Making renovations to your home or property?
Visit our Renovate
Safely section for helpful tips and reminders.
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