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Download Energy Conservation Kit
Help for Homeowners / Government Programs
How to Buy a Green Home
Looking for a new home? This can be a great opportunity for you reduce your ecological footprint.
Look beyond the décor and consider the location, size and style of your house and take advantage of government grants for home energy audits for a resale home or a new EnergyStar home.
- Find a Green Realtor
Find a Realtor with good knowledge of environmental issues and programs and services available to assist homeowners to reduce energy.
- Conduct an energy audit
Because the Home Energy audit is such a new concept, most resale homes will not be energy rated. If you are considering a new home, take the opportunity to purchase an Energy Star certified home. Realtors are just starting to recommend energy audits to sellers as a selling tool. Until the Energy Audit Act becomes law, it will be hit and miss if you are looking for an energy rated home and you certainly can’t afford to get a professional energy audit for every home you are considering! Therefore it is imperative that your Realtor is well informed about home energy conservation and the grants and programs available. As a guide, download The Energy Conservation Kit produced by the National Association of Green Realtors and Brokers (NAGAB), from my website at http://www.livingincollingwood.com/green.
- Location is Imperative
Consider how close the house is to shops, school, Church, entertainment, work-place and public transit. Choose your location very carefully.
- Size Matters
Although large houses are still popular, the trend will be for smaller homes and more efficient floor plans with no space wasted. The smaller the home, the less energy needed for heat and light and the less you money spent on utilities.
- Expect to Upgrade
Once you have found the home you want, go ahead with a professional energy audit and expect to upgrade and implement some of the suggested changes. Re-decorate with low-VOC paint, upgrade the air system, remove old carpet and replace with wood floor. Renovate according to your ecological principles. The Canadian government will pay 50% (up to $150.00 max) towards the audit and provide grants towards certain upgrades. Visit the Home Energy Savings website http://www.homeenergyontario.ca Anything you upgrade will add value to your investment and create a greener, healthier home.
- Research your renewable-energy potential
Another new trend - depending on where you live there is an exciting possibility of generating some or all of your own electricity with rooftop solar panels or a backyard wind turbine. The costs of solar, wind, and geo-thermal power are falling and becoming easier to find. This may not be attainable immediately in your area so keep an ear to the ground for news to come.
- The Yard
Just as smaller houses are becoming popular, so too are smaller yards. Less lawn means less water. A small space for a garden is ideal to grow some of your own fruits, vegetables and herbs. Consider a space for compost pile or bin. Look for trees to help conserve energy in hot weather.
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Schedule an energy audit of my home — and act on the results.
The Government of Ontario will help fund an audit and related retrofits to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Get more information from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure at www.homeenergyontario.ca or by calling 1-888-668-4636.
Happy home hunting! If you are considering a new or resale home in the area of Collingwood, Blue Mountain or Thornbury, Ontario I can help you find a GREEN Home or a home with the best potential for energy efficiency.
Green Real Estate
Click on the image to the right to download the Energy Conservation Kit brought to you by the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers in conjunction with the Go Green Fund, a provincial Ministry of Environment initiative. |
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 Help for Homeowners
The Government of Ontario will pay 50% of your home energy audit - up to $150.00. The audit will review your home's energy use from basement to attic. The resulting report will indicate areas for imporovement to your home's heating, cooling, hot water heating, and other energy uses that can be improved.
Those owners obtaining a rating from an approved ecoEnergy advisor can obtain grants to improve their home and its resale value. The Governments of Ontario and Canada will help pay for the retrofit your home needs, up to $10,000.00, provided you complete the projects within 18 months from the date of your audit. Visit the Home Energy Savings website http://www.homeenergyontario.ca
Home Energy Links
Three Ways to Improve the Air and Water Quality in Your Home
When it comes to the elements that make a house safe and comfortable, none are as important as air and water. Poor air and water quality can cause discomfort, damage your home’s structure, and even affect your respiratory health. Here are three easy ways to obtain better air, better water, and better health:
1. Increase Ventilation
Proper ventilation reduces the concentrations of indoor air pollutants and provides healthier air quality in your home. Start by making the most of exhaust fans or opening windows when showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher in order to let moisture escape your home quicker. If you have a garage, install an exhaust fan to the outdoors to prevent car fumes from entering your home. Make use of ceiling fans that draw up and distribute cool air from the floor on warmer days, and circulate warm air that collects near the ceiling on colder days.
2. Use Water Softners to Combat Hard Water
While safe and suitable for drinking, hard water, or water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium, can still have its setbacks. Harder water creates mineral build-up that can clog pipes and appliances and leave a soapy film on bathtubs and shower tiles. It can also be tough on your hair and skin, and deteriorate the quality of your laundered clothing.
Try using a hard water conditioner that traps minerals during the wash to soften your laundry and eliminate build-up on your dishes. In the bathroom, use an easy-to-install soft water filter on your showerhead to help prevent dry skin and reduce soap scum build-up. For a more complete solution, consider installing a water softener system in your home. This will not only benefit your skin, laundry, and dishes, it will also help eliminate mineral deposits in pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
3. Balance Humidity
If the air in your home is too dry or stuffy, it can irritate your skin and cause respiratory problems. On the other hand, too much moisture in the air can cause mildew, dust mites, and other conditions that can trigger allergies. That’s why balancing humidity is important. Humidity is normally measured by the amount of moisture in the air using a hygrometer. As a rule of thumb, the recommended humidity in your home should be between 30 – 50%*.
If the air in your home is too moist, a dehumidifier will help prevent a damp environment and protect walls, floors, and furniture from water damage. If the air in your home is too dry, a humidifier will add moisture and relieve dry skin and many allergy and asthma problems. It will also reduce cracked paint and plaster occurrences, as well as prevent wood floors from warping.
*Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
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