Save Money When You Renovate

by: sakuraluna | Total views: 49 | Word Count: 401 | View PDF | Print View

(NC)-If you're planning a home renovation, now is the
time to think about making your house more comfortable and energy
efficient - and saving money along the way.

In many homes, upgrading the roof, the walls and major
equipment such as the furnace will produce the biggest energy and
dollar savings. By piggybacking any energy improvements onto a larger
renovation, you get more out of every dollar you spend. If you miss the
opportunity, you may find yourself ripping out a nearly-new building
component for a future energy upgrade.

Here are some things you can do to put together an energy-smart renovation project:

• If you're replacing your furnace, consider a
  high-efficiency model. It's likely that the additional cost will be
  covered by the energy you save over its life span. You might also
  consider air sealing or adding attic insulation before you change your
  furnace. By amortizing the cost of renovations against the money you'll
  save with lower heating bills and the reduced cost of a smaller
  furnace, you may find even more savings.
  

• While you're renovating the attic, you should
  also add or replace the insulation and upgrade or reseal the air-vapour
  barrier to control drafts and moisture.
  

• If you're finishing your basement or upgrading
  your rec room, there's no better time to insulate and seal the outer
  walls. Before you do, make sure that the exterior surfaces of the walls
  are properly watersealed from the outside, or you risk creating mould
  problems. It's always best to speak to a professional first if you're
  considering this type of work.
  

Every time we use energy from fossil fuels such as coal, oil
and gas, we produce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to
climate change and harm our environment. As part of Canada's effort to
help the environment, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has developed
the EnerGuide for Houses Program (EGH). Managed by NRCan's Office of
Energy Efficiency, EGH can provide a wealth of unbiased, expert advice
on every aspect of home energy efficiency. An EGH energy advisor will
help you make better decisions about your home. More than 50 000
Canadians have already received our help. For more information on EGH,
or for the name of an advisor in your area, visit the EnerGuide Web
site at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/news. Or call 1 800 387-2000 toll-free and ask for a copy of our brochure "Counting on Comfort".

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