An energy-efficient home would be categorized as a home that uses less energy or that uses energy responsibly. Building codes have changed in the last two decades in order to make newly constructed homes more energy efficient. Buying an energy-efficient home or upgrades to an existing home will enhance comfort and help save on utility bills. Making these conscious choices will also help reduce our carbon footprint and thus protect our environment.

Impact on the Environment

14% of homes in Canada are creating greenhouse gas emissions. These types of emissions in the atmosphere are causing a “greenhouse effect”. This damaging impact on the environment is contributing to climate change and rising temperatures. By purchasing an energy-efficient home or updating your home, you can drastically reduce the impact of greenhouse emissions while improving comfort and saving money.

What makes a home efficient?

Think of your home and what it takes to run it. You need fuel to heat the home and electricity to power the home. You need appliances to keep your environment cool and your food fresh. All of these features come at a cost to the homeowner. And since we spend a lot of time indoors it is important to have these features optimized to save money and provide a comfortable living environment. Energy-efficient homes can also be key features when selling your home!

Here are some key features of an energy-efficient home:

• Well-insulated airtight construction
• High-Efficiency Equipment (Furnace, Water Heater, AC)
• High-Performance Energy Star Appliances
• LED Lighting
• Energy-efficient Windows

What are the benefits?

• Decreases impact on the environment
• Enhanced comfort (Cool in the summer and warm in the winter)
• Increases the value of the home for resale
• Reduces energy costs

Homes will now come with an EnerGuide score so you can determine how efficient the home is. A 0 rating would indicate that the home is of low efficiency (air leaks, lack of insulation) and a 100 score would indicate an air-tight and well-insulated home.

Here are some tips for improving your homes energy score:

• Replace older windows with energy-efficient windows
• Install water-saving toilets, faucet aerators and shower heads
• Install high-efficiency heating, cooling and water heating equipment.  
• Consider upgrading your water heater to a tankless water-on-demand type.
• Replace halogen with LED lighting.
• Updated the home’s insulation levels to meet current building codes.
• Replace appliances with Energy Star appliances.
• Insulate the home’s piping where feasible.
• Seal air leaks around windows/doors
• Install a programmable thermostat
• Set equipment/exterior light fixtures etc. on timers to reduce the frequency of use

There are many grants available currently for homeowners that provide rebates or other incentives to make energy-related updates to their homes. For more information, you can look at the Natural Resources Canada website and your local utility company website. Some grants require an energy audit to be done prior to the updates.

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How Does The Furnace Work?

Most of us will have a forced air system. This type of system recirculates air by using unheated air from the return registers which is then brought back to the house through separate ducts. The unconditioned air is heated using burners and a heat exchanger, and the blower fan beneath the unit will distribute the warm air throughout the home using the distribution ducts in the walls/floor. Each room will have its own vent where the hot air will circulate the heat in the home.

Why Are Some Rooms Warmer Than Others?

Depending on the age or size of the furnace, how well the home is insulated, the condition of the furnace, and the distance from the unit, you may notice that some areas of the home are colder than others. Before you panic, try these tips:

1. Check to see if the air filter is dirty. This can impact the units’ efficiency.
2. In rooms that appear to be hotter than others, try adjusting the vents to limit airflow in that room. Make adjustments in rooms that are less occupied to push air into colder rooms. Sometimes you will find that vents are closed where they should be open. Closing registers completely is not recommended because the air will then escape under the floors and into the walls through gaps in the duct system.
3. Around the furnace you will sometimes see what is referred to as a damper. You can adjust the damper with the lever to allow better airflow in some areas of the home.
4. Do a walkthrough of each room; remove covers and check to make sure they are connected and unobstructed.  Placing furniture such as beds and dressers over registers will block the airflow.
5. If your heating unit is older or had some knocks and pings then it just may need replacement.

General Maintenance

Like most of the mechanical systems in your home, some degree of maintenance is recommended. Here are some maintenance tips to prolong the life of your HVAC System.

1. Change your filter regularly. Use a higher MERV filter to promote better air quality in the home. If you are concerned about allergens then have a HEPA air cleaner installed with your furnace.
2. Vacuum out your return air ducts.
3. Have your ducts cleaned annually or at least every 2 years.
4. Clean out your condensate lines or pump to prevent clogging or backflow.
5.  Change your Humidifier filter prior to each heating season.
6. Depending on the age of your furnace it is recommended to have it serviced every 1-2 Years by a licensed HVAC technician.
7. Do a visual inspection. Open the cover; do you see any rust or moisture? If so then call a licensed HVAC technician for further evaluation.
8. When your furnace is running do you notice any leaks around the ductwork? Tape seams and joints with aluminum tape. This will enhance your units’ performance.

Most furnaces being installed are going to be high efficiency. This means that they will operate at over 90% efficiency. Some people will still have a mid-efficiency unit in use. These units typically operated at about 78%-82% efficiency.  Lower efficiency equates to higher fuel consumption. Consider updating to high efficiency whenever possible.

If you are wondering the age of your system you can always reference the serial number. For most systems, you will find that it can be identified in the first or second two digits. Thus, meaning if it reads “4519078” it would be manufactured in 2019. This is not always the case but true for a lot of the major manufacturers.

More information can also be obtained online. Another way to determine the age of the furnace is to look at the venting. White (PVC) venting is an indication of a newer high efficiency unit. They started using this type of venting around 2006. Black (ABS) would indicate earlier than 2006 and metal usually is telling you it’s an older mid efficiency unit.

A well maintained furnace can last 20-25 years. Make sure to take good care of your heating system to ensure your home is properly heated during the winter months!

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Here are a few questions to ask before adding insulation?

1. How old is my house?
2. Are there any government grants available?
3. Am I planning any renovations soon?
4. What impact will this update have on my home’s efficiency and my energy bills.

The purpose of insulation in any house is to regulate the flow of heat inside a home. In the winter, if a house is properly insulated, it will retain warmth and keep the energy bills low. In the summer, it will allow the house to be cooler.

You have probably heard the term R-Value of insulation before.  Insulation is measured by its R-flow, which is the insulation’s resistance to heat. The higher the R-flow, the better the house is insulated.

The building code in Ontario has changed over the years and houses are now built with higher value, as governments at all levels are trying to keep energy costs and demands low. The current Ontario Code requirement for attic insulation is R-60. Just 30 years ago the requirement was R-32. The reason the attic insulation has changed so much is that heat rises and a lot of heat loss can occur from the attic. The graphic below is based on older standards but it can show you the required depth of insulation for each R-Value. With the current R-60 requirement, the required depth for the insulation types listed below is about 24”.

It is time to add insulation in an older home

If your house was built more than 15 years ago then it’s time to add insulation in your attic. Insulation does not have to be replaced unless it was damaged by pests, animals, or water damage. The costs of adding and replacing insulation are different. I highly recommended bringing your attic insulation to current standards so that you don’t have to worry about it for a long time.

Adding insulation to the exterior walls

Replacing insulation in the walls is not easy and not necessary or feasible in some cases. Current insulation levels for walls require 2 x 6 framing, therefore if your house was built with 2 x 4 framing, updating is not feasible. In addition to this, most heat loss from the walls structure is from the windows, therefore updating windows is what is needed here. If your house is older than 20 years old, I would recommend looking into the replacement of the windows with modern efficient double-glazed windows.

Do I change the basement insulation?

The basement insulation requirements have also changed over time. Current requirements are for R20 insulation at the full height of the basement wall. When finishing or renovating the basement, I highly recommended bringing your basement insulation to current standards. In some cases, you will have to remove the older insulation and install new. I see basement renovations all the time, where the insulation is only 4 ft high (Pre 2000 standards) and the homeowner does not update the insulation to the full height of the wall. This will create condensation issues and sometimes shows on the drywall as damage. I always say if you will do something, do it right and think of the long term.

Spray foam insulation is better for homes!

Spray foam insulation is a relatively new product and is used mostly in custom-built homes and in specific areas of subdivision homes. The reason for this is its high cost. It is good insulation for exterior walls, hard-to-reach areas and garage ceilings. I do not recommend using spray foam insulation in the attic unless it is to insulate heating ducts. Using spray foam in all the attic will make any future changes very difficult. Spray foam insulation is also required to be covered with drywall therefore the costs add up.

FAQ

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