Rent Real EstateEnergy Efficiency Is A Money Saver In All Seasons
Now that spring has arrived in Canada, get out your caulking gun and
save yourself some money. Too many Canadians think of energy efficiency
only in the cold months and forget how much can be done to make
sweltering summers more comfortable. Caulking, insulation and other
energy-saving devices, which are employed to reduce heat loss during
winter months, are just as effective at keeping air-conditioned cool air
in your home during summer.
Tackle caulking around windows and doors, especially on the west side,
and you"ll have a cooler house this summer and save on energy costs at
the same time.
If you gave your house a thorough going over last fall, there may not be
much to do now. If the icy winds of November kept you from filling every
crack, you"ll enjoy working in lovely spring weather. Caulking should be
applied between exterior walls and window and door frames as well as
between interior walls and frames. Exterior doors that do not have an
insulated core should be paired with a storm door.
Contact local gas companies and other utilities to find out what special
programs they offer to encourage installation of energy-efficient
windows and doors. To make an informed decision, have them help you
calculate the payback time based on energy savings and the length of
time you expect to live in the house. Ask to speak to homeowners who
made these renovations a few years ago. Check with local Realtors to
find out how home buyers would evaluate new energy efficient
improvements. Making your home more energy efficient will save you money
and you may increase the value of your home as well.
If you don"t know where to start when it comes to home improvement,
Inspecting a House: A Guide for Buyers, Owners, and Renovators
(Second edition, 1999, Stoddard) takes you through your home inch by
inch to help you decide what works and what doesn"t. While a book cannot
substitute for a thorough home inspection, the authors, Alan Carson and
Robert Dunlop were pioneers in the Canadian home inspection field and
run an international home inspection company.
At the other extreme, buying a new house, town home or condominium will
provide you with a modern energy-efficient environment that can save you
money. Most new homes have high efficiency heating and air-conditioning
systems that reduce energy bills. Double and triple glazed windows and
insulated doors add to the comfort level in every season The Canadian
wood-frame home was designed to be well insulated and some designs such
as R2000 homes carry extra energy-efficiency features.
Remember, the less you spend on heating and cooling your home the more
you have on hand to pay off your mortgage and save on mortgage interest.