In case you haven’t noticed, energy efficient features in Canadian homes are a big selling point. Some new condos boast thermally-insulated exteriors that minimize heat loss or Energy-Star-compliant appliances, while newly-built homes will sometimes advertise things like low-flow toilets. If you were thinking it might be a big expense to upgrade your own home for energy efficiency, these tips will prove you wrong!
1. Swap Your Bulbs
This is probably the easiest, and cheapest, way to boost your home’s energy efficiency. LED lights use significantly less energy than regular light bulbs and can last much longer. They’re easy to find at your local hardware store and come in many forms, whether you need strip lighting, chandelier bulbs or potlights.
2. Install Modern Toilets
If you do only one bathroom upgrade, think about making the switch to a contemporary, low-flow toilet. There’s a reason modern homes are including these as a standard feature. Toilets in many older homes use up to 20 litres of water per flush! A low-flow option can operate using as little as three litres per flush, a significant difference indeed.
3. Get Smart Technology
Many technological advances can actually help your home save energy. For example, if you install a programmable thermostat, you can control your home’s temperature right from your phone. The same goes for household lights and many appliances, which can make a big difference too. Love having the foyer light on to welcome you home? Instead of having it use energy all day, program it to turn on just before you get home from work.
4. Get a Thermal Imaging Assessment
If you find yourself spending a ton on heating and you aren’t sure why, one option is to have a thermal imaging assessment done, which can be performed by a licensed home inspector. The procedure works by using a thermal imaging camera to detect exactly where you’re losing most of your heat. Once you have this information, your problem can be fixed, and it might be as easy as adding some insulation.
