EnerGuide House Evaluation Helps Homeowners Save Money and the Environment
Fall is a busy time for renovations as we head into the colder months, and an ideal time to think about retrofitting your home to improve energy use. Retrofitting a house is simply upgrading it so that it will keep the heat in. This means adding insulation, caulking and weather-stripping, improving or replacing windows and doors, and improving the heating system. Retrofitting also means including energy efficiency measures in all your renovation and repair activities. In Canada’s climate, retrofitting usually makes a lot of sense. With the skyrocketing costs for energy, energy actions will help save money and the environment at the same time
The One-Tonne Challenge, an initiative through Natural Resources Canada is asking each Canadian to take action in climate change and clean air by reducing personal greenhouse gas emissions by one Tonne, or about 20%. Each Canadian generates, on average five tonnes of greenhouse gasses annually. Half of these emissions result from home energy use for heating, cooling, water heating appliances and lighting.
If you are considering a renovation, it’s worthwhile to have an EnerGuide for Houses evaluation, a qualified inspector, for a reasonable fee, will look at ways to save energy around the house, a service offered through Natural Resources Canada, is available across Canada, takes a few hours and may make you eligible for a federal grant to help you pay for some of your energy savings renovations.
If a new furnace is in the plans this season, look at a high efficiency unit that can save up to 25% of home heating costs each year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two or three tonnes.
Look for ENERGYSTAR labels on everything from windows and sliding doors to refrigerators, washers and home electronics. The symbol means these are the most energy efficient products in each class.
To learn more about the One-Tonne Challenge and how you can reduce GHG emissions by saving energy visit www.climatechange.gc.ca or visit www.dfenergyconsulting.com.
To locate an energy advisor in your area contact The HouseSmart Referral Network at 1-888-266-8806 in the Greater Vancouver area call 604-542-2236.
Fall Energy Saving Tips
As the days get shorter and colder, don’t let your energy use soar. Follow these tips to play a part in conserving energy this fall.
- Use caulking and weather-stripping to seal air leaks
- Install one of today’s energy efficient furnaces
- Install storm windows
- Replace exterior doors
- Upgrade your insulation
- Remove window air conditioners for the winter
- Insulate water pipes
- Install and use a programmable thermostat
- Turn off your cottage’s water heater when you leave
Natural Resources Canada
Quite often on the Home Discovery and HouseSmart Radio programs, you will hear me refer to some of the excellent publications produced by The Office of Energy Efficiency department of Natural Resources Canada.
Following is a link to their website and I encourage you to visit it to learn ways that you can make your home more energy efficient, healthy and comfortable.
It’s Just That Easy!
Shell
Protect Your Patio Furniture.
Winter Wind, rain and cold weather will damage even the most durable furniture over time. The best way to care for outdoor furniture during the cold months is to store pieces in the basement, garage or shed. If that’s not an option there are a variety of outdoor furniture covers available for tables, umbrella and stacking chairs.
A few things to consider when storing your furniture:
Cleaning: Clean furnishings before you store them. “It’s Just that Easy” All Purpose Cleaning Formula in a spray bottle or Shell Busey’s Home Cleaning Formula (Granular) are ideal products to remove dirt and algae that have built up. It’s also important to wash furniture before you use them in the spring again because they’re probably dusty.
Cushions: Wrap them in an old bed sheet and store inside. Make sure they’re completely dry before you put them in a container. Otherwise, they’ll be moldy when you’re ready to put them outside in the spring.
Umbrellas: Umbrellas won’t last more than a season if they are left uncovered outside. Store them upright, leaning against a wall or hang from a grip hook off the ground.
Barbecues: Barbecues-grill covers should be kept on grills when they are not in use year-round.
When outdoor furniture covers aren’t in use, they too should be protected. They should be hosed clean, air dried and stored in plastic containers inside.
The Glidehouse Modular Home by Britco
The Glidehouse is a modernistic home designed for clean, simple and environmentally-friendly living. Based on basic sustainable, green-living design principles, the Glidehouse is designed to collaborate with nature by maximizing natural ventilation and indirect lighting.
The name ‘Glidehouse’ is derived from the home’s design, which includes gliding glass walls at the front of the home to maximize views, and the opposite interior wall is made from gliding wood panels that slide to reveal easily accessible storage units.
Designed by Michelle Kaufmann, an architect based in San Francisco, the house was originally designed for herself and her husband who wanted a house as green and sustainable possible Britco worked collaboratively with the architect and CRG,(Construction Resource Group), located in Redmond, Wa, to keep the original design concept while making the Glidehouse a modular reality.
To view photos and find out more about the Glidehouse and other modular homes by Britco, please visit www.britco.com
For further information, visit www.glidehouse.com
Toilet bowl over filling with water when flushed.
Q: I have a bi-level house with one washroom on each level. The situation is this: When I flush the toilet on the upper level the water almost fills the toilet bowl, then drains slowly until all the water is gone with a sound of air coming from the drainage pipe. The washroom on the lower level is ok when I flush it. I would appreciate your advice on this matter.
A: There is a restriction in the outflow sanitary sewer line originating at the upper toilet down to the outfall to the sanitary sewer or septic system. I would suggest removing the toilet and mechanically snaking the sanitary pipe as well as snaking from the roof vent stack down the same sanitary pipe system. The restriction will either be in the plumbing pipe or in the toilet trap. When replacing the toilet always apply the floor wax seal onto the toilet before setting it done on the floor flange.
