Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades

Amid environmental concerns and rising energy costs, many Canadians are looking to make eco-friendly upgrades to their homes. When it comes to making a home greener, big upgrades aren’t necessarily needed in order for you to see a difference. Some upgrades do require a higher up-front cost, but will end up saving you money in the long run.

Making eco-friendly upgrades will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but will also cut down on your energy bill and increase your home value in the long run. Here are some great environmentally-friendly renovations to consider:

Heat pumps are an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. A heat pump can both cool and heat your home, and uses electricity instead of fossil fuels. Essentially, heat pumps transfer heat instead of generating it. In summer, a heat pump moves the hot air from inside your home to outside, and in winter it pulls warmth inside.

Heat pumps can be used in various climates, including cold Canadian winters.

Insulation is a vitally important part of keeping your home both warm and cold. Poor insulation leads to heat loss in the winter and cool air loss in the summer. Not only will this make your home more uncomfortable, it will crank up your energy bills, as your heating and cooling systems have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Look into installing materials like spray foam, cellulose, and rigid foam boards.

A lot of heat can escape through old windows and doors! Look for energy-efficient models like triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings. For doors, you’ll want proper sealing in order to prevent drafts from entering the home. You can also weatherstrip or caulk your existing doors to help keep heat from escaping or entering.

Water fixtures that reduce your water use can cut down significantly on your water waste. Low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets are great options for passively reducing your water usage.

You can also consider installing a rainwater collection system, which can be something as simple as a bucket collecting rainwater to a large system that holds a ton of water. To go a step further, using a greywater recycling system that captures and treats used water from your showers, baths, and washing machines to be used for low-risk purposes like flushing toilets.

Smart home technology upgrades can be a great way to help lower your energy bills and improve energy efficiency. For example, smart thermostats can be set to lower your house temperatures automatically when you’re out of the house. Smart lighting with motion sensors or timers can prevent unnecessary energy consumption.

With technological developments allowing solar panels to be more effective in cloudier areas, solar energy is becoming an even more viable option for homeowners. The solar energy produced by the panels can be used for power in your home, and battery storage solutions can allow for backup power to be stored during outages. Homeowners can also sell excess power back to the grid through net metering programs using grid-tier solar systems, which can offset the cost even more.

If you’re looking to renovate, take a look at some eco-friendly options. Materials like reclaimed wood, bamboo flooring, recycled metal, and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints are not only great choices for sustainability, but can also make your home a healthier one. If you’re looking to replace lighting, take a look at some energy-efficient options in order to reduce waste.

Government rebates encouraging eco-friendly home renovations are available all across Canada. For example, the Canada Greener Homes Initiative that offers grants for various green home upgrades. You can also look into what’s available to you provincially and locally.