When it comes to home renovations, most people focus on aesthetics – the paint colours, the tile material, the interior design, kitchen countertop materials, and so on. But the functionality of your home’s energy consumption should be reviewed as well. No one wins if your home is consuming more energy than it should. We are conscious of the carbon footprint your home leaves as we renovate it. Even better, our energy-efficient renovations focus on helping you reduce your utility cost.
The average Canadian household uses 11,135 kWh of electricity per year, with the bulk of that energy being spent on basic utilities like lighting, heating, and air conditioning. But, new home tech can help you reduce that usage.
Here are our top five home renovations that can help you improve energy efficiency.
Switch to LED lighting
One of the simplest ways of improving the energy efficiency of your home is by switching to LED lighting. Although you may not be paying too much attention to your lighting, it accounts for up to one-third of your home’s energy bill.
LED bulbs use up to 80% less electricity than incandescent ones. They also have a longer lifespan, ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 hours.
Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances
You should pay attention to your kitchen appliances too. Refrigerators and ovens are some of the highest energy users in a home, so investing in more energy-efficient models can help you save more money in the long term.
Our top energy-efficient renovations suggestions are to install new windows, doors, or both!
If you want energy-efficient renovations that will improve your house’s curb appeal as well as boost its value, then you should take a closer look at your doors and windows. Doors and windows are responsible for up to 25% of total house heat loss. By replacing them, you can save money on your heating and cooling costs as well as increase the comfort of your home.
One of the bigger items on the list in terms of cost and effort, however, it can also yield huge savings. Talk to our experts about windows and doors. We have vast experience, including a separate branch for our service – All Canadian Windows & Doors. Having grown up, lived on, and now as homeowners in Winnipeg – we know all about heating and cooling a home. Every little draft and crack can add up big. But, with our expertise in this area, we will create a plan to take your home to new heights.
Upgrade the insulation
Hot air rises and if your attic isn’t properly insulated, then you are losing heat and with that, paying more to keep your house warm during the winter. Also, in many older homes, an insulation upgrade can go a long way to help the exterior. If you’re planning an exterior renovation for your home, ask us about improving the insulation as part of the process.
Keep in mind that not all insulation materials are created equal. Look at their R-value, which can tell you how well insulation material resists heat transfer. The higher the R-value, the better it will insulate your home.
Similar to the installation of windows and doors, this task is substantial. But, also similar, it can yield some very favourable outcomes to energy savings in the years to come.
Install smart tech
Homes nowadays are getting smarter than ever before. You can install a programmable thermostat, for example, to improve the heating and cooling efficiency of your HVAC system. This piece of tech will allow you to control your climate system and achieve the optimal temperature for the lowest cost.
With a programmable thermostat, you can turn the temperature down when no one is at home or during the night when everyone is sleeping. You can also use this device to automatically alter the temperature with no other manual adjustments needed.
Bonus energy-efficient renovations idea: HVAC
If your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system is older than 10 years, then it’s probably inefficient by today’s standards. Although it may seem like a major investment, even a cheap HVAC unit will help you improve your home’s energy efficiency and consumes less than an older system. Even better, Manitoba Hydro’s Energy Finance Plan offers financing options for approved energy efficiency upgrades.
Final thoughts on energy-efficient renovations
Improving the energy efficiency of our homes should become a priority, especially if you’re already planning a renovation. Not only that it will help us save money in the long term, but it can also help save the planet by reducing our collective carbon footprint.
If you are looking for a Winnipeg home renovation company that can help you make your house more energy-efficient, we have the experience and knowledge to tackle these types of projects successfully. Contact ACR Ltd. or call – 204.779.6900 – to discuss your Winnipeg home energy efficiency renovations today!