Improving your home's building envelope is the most cost-effective way to conserve energy and save money. Blocking air leaks will reduce drafts and heat loss, protect the building, and minimize noise and dust from entering.

 

In a previous post I provided some resources for sealing leaks and reducing heating costs.

 

If you are able, replacing single pane windows with more efficient ones is a good investment. There are many options with windows and in our climate double or triple pane windows with Low-E are a great option. Where you put different types of windows depends on the orientation of your home so talk to an expert. Some detailed information on windows on the Natural Resources Canada Site under the Residential Section.

 

If replacing your windows is not an option, you might want to consider your window coverings. There are newer products on the market that can reduce heat loss from windows by as much as 50% including a "honeycomb within a honeycomb" design currently produced by Hunter Douglas which creates more air pockets for insulation.
Kirstin Hogg with Normandeau Interiors (403-801-6434) has made available complimentary consultations to folks. Give her a call if you would like to see the new options available.

 

It is August, but the winds and rain of yesterday reminded me to do some some annual maintenance that is sure to have an impact.

 

Every year it is a great idea to have a look at the weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows to make sure it is in good condition and doing its job. Poor weather stripping and deteriorating caulking can have a major effect on your heating/cooling costs. As heating accounts for an average of 60% of the energy used in your home in Calgary, I'd say any improvement is worth the effort. Sealing leaks also has the added benefit of reducing noise and dust from entering your house.

 

The Government of Canada's Office for Energy Efficiency has some great resources for finding leakage areas and fixing them.

 

Find the Leaks and Learn to Fix the Leaks.

 

Courtesy of www.livegreencalgary.com

 

 

 

This week's issue of Home to Home Calgary included a great feature article titled "Your Blueprint to a Greener Home'.  If you haven't seen it pick up a copy of Home to Home in most any grocery store or real estate office. An online version of the article is also available.

 

The interest in greener homes seems to be increasing though I am still left wondering what how most folks define a 'green home'. Is it energy efficiency, materials, method of building and what do they use to evaluate how green a home really is? Are folks open to innovative construction methods and do they see some of these technologies as a benefit or a risk? Are you interested in building or purchasing a Green Home?

 

The article focuses on much of the done by Built Green Canada and the Built Green Checklist.

 

You may also be interested in checking out the EnerGuide Rating System for homes which shows the standard measure of a home's energy performance.

 

Cheers.