How to Make My House an Energy Efficient Home

Published on December 17, 2019

Having an energy efficient home isn’t just for those who are environmentally conscious, it’s also for those who like to save money. Believe it or not, even making small changes to your home can have a big impact on your energy usage! Not only do these changes reduce your energy usage, they also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help conserve energy; you may even be eligible for rebates!

Don’t forget that just because your home may be older, it doesn’t mean you can’t have an energy efficient home! Many homeowners are opting to upgrade their homes to be more energy efficient, more affordable, and more comfortable.

What is an energy efficient home?

An energy efficient home is a home that is environmentally friendly. Furthermore, an energy efficient home is a home that is affordable, comfortable, and airtight. You can make small changes towards having a more energy efficient home that help reduce your energy consumption. You’ll also help reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, which is something everyone can benefit from.

A home that is incredible energy efficient is a net zero home, or a home that generates enough (or more) energy to run the home. A net zero house has extremely high levels of insulation, a completely airtight building envelope, triple pane windows, solar panels, and a high efficiency heating and cooling system.

How can I improve energy efficiency in my home?

There are many ways you can improve the energy efficiency in your home; some very small tasks and some larger renovations. Regardless of what you choose to tackle, you’re bound to see and feel the positive effects of your hard work.

Smaller energy efficiency tasks or renovations are much easier and faster to complete. These types of improvements include things like replacing your light bulbs with Energy Star branded bulbs. You can also weather strip or caulk around windows and doors to seal any leaks, gaps, or cracks. Lastly, you could install insulated blinds to keep the heat in and the cool air out. There are also a number of smaller tasks that can be completed to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Your home may require larger renovations in order to address substantial issues with your home’s level of energy efficiency. These types of renovations may include things like adding insulation to the basement, attic, or walls; upgrading your furnace to a high efficiency model; or replacing old doors or windows for Energy Star models. Before you begin any of these renovations, though, be sure to contact BSG to see if you can qualify for rebates!

How can older homes increase energy efficiency?

One of the most effective upgrades for an older home is insulation. Insulation will help seal your home, providing much needed protection against air leakage, heat loss, and moisture. If you have an older home, it’s likely that there are insufficient insulation values in the attic, basement/crawl space, or possibly the exterior walls.

If your heating and cooling system is older, it may be a good time to upgrade it! An older model will not run as efficiently as a new system. A high-efficient furnace will use much less energy to run, making it a good investment. If your system isn’t outdated enough to warrant a replacement, try replacing your furnace filter. A clean filter will help the unit run more efficiently.

While both aforementioned suggestions are larger renovations, there are a number of smaller upgrades you can complete to help your home increase energy efficiency. For example, try replacing all of the lightbulbs in your home with Energy Star bulbs. Energy Star light bulbs use approximately 70-90% less energy than traditional bulbs. Additionally, air sealing (caulking) and weather-stripping are cost effective measures that don’t take more than a couple hours to complete. There are a number of other small measures that can be completed around your home that can all add up to large savings.

What qualifies as energy efficient home improvements (HER)?

The Home Efficiency Rebate is a program that offers up to $5,000 for energy efficient home improvements. There are a number of home improvements you can make and be eligible for rebates!

*Note: It’s very important that you contact BSG before any renovations have begun, as you must have an energy audit completed in order to qualify. Contact BSG to confirm eligibility for the program by calling 1-866-333-3920, or speak to office staff on the live chat feature on the BSG website.

Energy efficient home improvements that qualify for rebates through the Home Efficiency Rebate include:

●     Attic Insulation

●     Basement or Crawl Space Insulation

●     Exterior Wall Insulation

●     Furnace

●     Water Heater

●     Window

●     Door

●     Skylight

●     Air Sealing

How do you calculate home energy efficiency?

Home energy efficiency is calculated during a home energy audit. An energy audit has several components that are all used to calculate the level of energy efficiency of your home. Your Registered Energy Advisor will examine a number of things around your home, including the HVAC equipment, the windows and doors, and insulation levels.

A major element in determining the level of energy efficiency is a blower door test! A blower door test is an assessment of the airtightness of your home. During a blower door test, a fan pulls the air from the inside of the house to the outside. This motion forces the air back into the home through any gaps, cracks, or leaks around your home. A common area for leakage is around the windows and doors, the attic hatch, or a poorly insulated basement.

How do blower door tests/energy audits help?

An energy audit and a blower door test are an integral step in the path to an energy efficient home. An energy audit will provide you with a roadmap to energy efficiency, all customized and specific to your home! You’ll be given a package including an EnerGuide label and a recommended upgrade report.

An EnerGuide label is a guide to your home’s overall energy performance. The label indicates a few key factors such as its rating, a breakdown of energy usage, and how it compares to a newly built home.

The recommended upgrade report is a complete list of all of the recommended upgrades for your home. This report is complete with customized comments from your Registered Energy Advisor. It also contains information regarding your energy usage after you make the recommended upgrades, so you can decide whether a renovation will be beneficial to your home.

An old home doesn’t have to feel old. Don’t live in an uncomfortably cold house in the winter! Contact BSG today to start achieving a comfortable, affordable, and energy efficient home. You can simply reach out to our office staff through the live chat feature on the website, call our office at 1-866-333-3920, or fill out a form on the website. BSG provides a free over-the-phone consultation to determine eligibility for the Home Efficiency Rebate program! So whether you’re looking to qualify for rebates, or simply achieve an energy efficient home, contact BSG today!