AGENT JESS: GETTING YOUR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT!
Whether your home is older or just recently built new, there are probably things you can do to improve its energy efficiency. Everyone has heard of using LED lightbulbs and not leaving electronics plugged in and running when you’re not in the room. But there are so many other ways to make a home energy efficient. When a home is more efficient, not only does it run better and have less of an impact on the environment, but it also SAVES YOU MONEY! And who doesn’t love that!
Most people don’t know about the various incentives that are available in Ontario if you’re thinking of making some upgrades. And with summer on the way, now is a great time to look into improvements to your home’s air conditioning and HVAC system! Did you know you can save up to $850 with furnace and air conditioning rebates? A new high-efficiency furnace can reduce your heating costs by up to 25 per cent a year. Plus, a new ENERGY STAR®-certified central air conditioner uses up to 20 per cent less energy. If it’s time for a new system in your home, be sure to ask your contractor about these rebates. There are eligibility requirements, and you can find all the information on the website: WWW.SAVEONENERGY.CA
The added bonus of making these upgrades is that they are very attractive to buyers if you’re thinking of selling your home one day!
Of course, you might not be ready to upgrade your HVAC system just yet. So what are some other ways you can make your home energy efficient as we head into the warmer months? Here are a few simple tips you can consider!
Raise the temperature on your thermostat. When you aren’t going to be home, there’s no sense in air conditioning an empty house. Before you leave, simply turn the temperature up a couple of degrees. Or, install a programmable thermostat it will automatically change the temperature for you throughout different times of the day: morning, workdays, evenings and overnight.
Switch your ceiling fan’s rotation. During summer, your ceiling fan blades should rotate counterclockwise. Why? This will push cool air down, where you need it.
Clean your furnace filter. Dirty air filters cause your HVAC system to have to work harder to push air through the home, not to mention it lowers the air quality. You should try and change your filter AT LEAST every 3 months to keep up with the dust & particle it traps.
Close the blinds! This might seem too simple to be true, but it works! During the day when the sun is at its strongest, closing your curtains or blinds keep the cool air inside, and the hot sun out.
Those are just a few simple ideas that can keep you cool this summer, and save you some money on your energy costs. The hot weather might not be here yet, but with a few of these tips, we can make your home more efficient this year.
