If you sigh with frustration every month you receive your energy bills, with rising costs, you’re not alone. Many factors affect growing energy costs, from supply issues to inflation, and carbon taxes. But there is a way to combat rising utility bills in your home. Learning how can help lower monthly bills and improve the comfort of your home.
What Do You Need?
The first thing you need to do is schedule a home energy audit. A licensed energy auditor will come to your home and conduct a series of tests to determine the overall energy efficiency of your home.
What Is An Energy Audit?
The energy audit is a full basement-to-attic inspection of your home. The energy auditor reviews your home’s heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows and doors and conducts a blower door test to identify problem areas of air leakage such as a drafty room.
Licensed energy auditors are trained to conduct a thorough evaluation of the energy efficiency of your home. They come prepared with a range of tools to detect areas of air leakage and energy loss.
Once the audit is complete, your trained energy auditor will provide your home with an energy rating using the Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide Rating System - much like how home appliances can have an Energy Star Rating. The lower your rating, the more energy efficient your home is. Your energy auditor will also provide you with a report that includes recommended improvements and retrofits to help reduce your home’s energy consumption and save money.
What Can Be Changed In Your Home?
Your home energy audit report will indicate recommended renovations, improvements or retrofits you can make to help reduce energy consumption and waste. This can be as simple as installing new weatherstripping or caulking around windows and doors, to more in-depth retrofits such as replacing your heating and cooling system with a more energy efficient heat pump, new windows and doors, new insulation, and installing solar panels on your roof. While some improvements may be ok to DIY, it's always best to work with a professional contractor when dealing with any electric or HVAC systems.
Are There Any Rebates for Doing An Energy Audit?
Completing a home energy audit will enable you to apply for Canada’s Greener Homes Initiative or the new combined program with Enbridge in Ontario - the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program - which can provide up to $10,000 in rebates to cover eligible retrofits in your home, including $600 towards the cost of the energy audit.
Working with a professional energy auditor, can help you save money on your utility bills and make your home more comfortable, draft-free and enjoyable to live in. Plus, energy-efficient homes can improve the resale value as well.
If you’re ready for your home energy evaluation, reach out to EcoLogic Energy Advisors to schedule your appointment to receive a comprehensive energy audit and report that will help you make your home more energy efficient.