Doing Renos? Consider Energy Efficiency
Jan. 15/18
Change for Climate is a climate change initiative from the City of Edmonton.
By City of EdmontonJan. 15/18
Change for Climate is a climate change initiative from the City of Edmonton.
It’s a new year and while you may be busy making personal improvements with your New Year’s resolutions, maybe you are also considering improving your home with some renovations. It’s a great time to think about home improvements with the Edmonton Home Renovation Show taking place from January 26 to 28 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. The show features businesses and organizations providing various home and renovation services, including our own Change Homes For Climate team.
Renovating for Energy Efficiency
Incorporating energy efficiency into your renovations cannot only improve your home’s energy performance, but can make your home more comfortable, improve indoor air quality and increase the value of your home. Here are a few ways to incorporate energy efficiency when doing some of the most common renovation projects:
Basement Renovations
- Draft-proof or air seal
- Add or improve insulation on the interior or exterior of the house
Windows & Doors
- Replace old windows with high-performance, energy efficient units
- Replace old exterior doors with insulated units
- Ensure weatherstripping is in good condition
Attic
- Add or improve insulation
Kitchen Renovations
- Replace old appliances with energy efficient models that have an ENERGY STAR label
Bathroom Renovations
- Replace old fixtures with low flow faucets, shower-heads and low-flush toilets.
We’ll share more ideas on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home during our our main stage presentation on Saturday, January 27 at 6:00 pm at the Home Renovation Show. Robyn Webb, Project Manager with City Environmental Strategies and Stephen Farrell of Verdatech Energy Management and Consulting will introduce some of the key considerations in making your home more energy efficient in our Edmonton climate. From HVAC systems and LED lighting to insulation, they will discuss how to make your home more comfortable while lowering your carbon footprint and taking advantage of existing rebate programs.
Change Homes for Climate Guide
For even more home sustainability solutions, check out our recently revamped Change Homes For Climate Guide (formerly Edmonton’s Green Home Guide). The guide covers everything from ventilation information, the building envelope and home heating to water consumption, landscaping and other green innovations. Visit our booth at the Home Renovation Show to get a free hard copy of the guide.
Get expert advice with an EnerGuide home evaluation
Not sure what energy efficiency improvements are most suitable for your home? Consider getting an EnerGuide home evaluation. An Energy Advisor will visit your home and assess every room from the attic to the basement. They'll provide personalized recommendations to help you make decisions about what upgrades would work best for your home. Once you have your evaluation done and receive a rating and label for your home, share your label on the City of Edmonton's online map, and you can receive a $400 rebate to help cover the cost of the evaluation.
For more information on our program, visit changeforclimate.ca/energuide or stop by our Change Homes for Climate booth at the Edmonton Home Renovation Show.
