6 Smart Ways to Cut Your Energy Costs

General Jag Dhamrait 3 Apr

In the last decade, climate change and energy efficiency have become top of mind for many Canadians. From wanting to do our part by recycling to making our home as energy efficient as possible, there are so many benefits to being environmentally and energy conscious.

If you are looking to cut costs or simply want to reduce your eco footprint, here are some great ways to cut your energy costs!

Get a Smart Thermostat: A pretty easy installation, a smart thermostat can help you better manage your in-home temperature. Whether you opt to install a basic programmable thermostat or try the Google’s Nest, which learns from you and works to predict which temperatures you prefer and when, getting a read on your in-home temperature can help you better manage your energy usage.

Look for Drafty Spots: When it comes to heating your home, it can quickly become a wasted effort and results in extra costs if you have drafts in your home. In addition to windows and doors, you should also seal any folding attic stairs, add a fireplace plug to seal the damper and install a dryer vent seal to reduce drafts in your laundry room.

Swap to LEDs: Most of us are already using LED bulbs throughout our home. If you aren’t yet, now is the time to make the switch! LED bulbs use 15% less energy than an equivalent incandescent, which can save you a ton of money each month especially in larger homes.

Turn Down Your Water Heater: While sometimes nothing beats a good scalding shower, you don’t want to be burned with a high energy bill. Did you know if you knock down that temperature gauge by just 10 degrees, you can save 3% to 5% on your bills each month!?

Examine Your Appliances: Since 1992, ENERGY STAR® has been backing energy efficient appliances and products, helping consumers make the right choices.

Some of the least green appliances in your home are your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and refrigerator and, if you don’t currently have Energy Star certified versions of these machines, swapping to them is a sure-fire way to reduce your monthly expenses.

Can’t afford new appliances? Here are some other tips and tricks to help make them more efficient in the meantime:

  • Dishwasher: Use a citric acid-based cleaner in an empty cycle to rid your dishwasher of excess soap and calcium buildup that may be causing your machine to work harder.
  • Washing Machine: Maximize energy by stuffing your machine to the brim whenever possible as washing machines typically use the same amount of energy regardless of load size.
  • Dryer: For starters, ensure you are always cleaning out your lint filter to increase air circulation. In addition, keep an eye on the outside exhaust and clean when needed to reduce drying time and save energy.
  • Refrigerator: While most of us are more concerned with the food inside our fridges than the parts, it is important to check your condenser coils. Over time, dirt, food particles and dust can collect and reduce the efficiency. Another tip is to set your refrigerator to 36- and 38-degrees Fahrenheit.

Close The Blinds: When the temperature starts heating up, it is important to close the blinds and drapes to prevent the sun from beating in and warming up your home. The excessive heat makes your air conditioner work overtime causing your energy bills to skyrocket.

In addition to the cost savings and environmental benefits of improving your energy efficiency, CMHC also has a rebate available! This rebate can provide a 15-25% insurance premium rebate on buying new or performing renovations that meet energy efficiency standards! Click here for more details.

Selling Your Home in the Winter

Mortgage Tips Jag Dhamrait 6 Mar

While you might think selling your home in winter is harder, with the right considerations it doesn’t have to be!

When selling your home during warmer months, the focus is typically on curb appeal and gardening, as well as having bright colours and patterns to draw out different rooms. While curb appeal should not be forgotten in winter months, the focus should be centered on creating a warm, comfortable and welcoming space. Below are some tips on how to do this:

  • Curb Appeal: If you live in an area that receives high amounts of snow, be diligent about keeping your sidewalk and driveways clear for visitors, and to keep your home looking clean for the viewing. Always make sure to sweep any fallen leaves or debris.
  • Keep it Cozy: Ensuring your home is sufficiently heated during showings will also go a long way to making it feel more comfortable; a steady 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during showings is ideal.
  • Light and Inviting: With days being shorter and darker during winter, ensuring your home is well-lit and inviting can make a big difference. In some cases, you may consider repainting the walls before listing your property.
  • Declutter: When selling, it is important to declutter your home so that it looks its best and gives room for people to imagine their own belongings in your space.
  • Define Property Boundaries: If you are showing your home in the middle of snow season, be sure to mark the four corners of your property so that potential buyers can see exactly what they are getting.

While there is some extra work with selling your home in the winter due to the weather conditions, it can pay off! Buyers tend to be highly motivated and often there is less competition for sales during this time giving more focus to your home.

New Year Home Maintenance Plan

Home Tips Jag Dhamrait 20 Jan

Keep your home in comfy, cozy and working order all year long with this easy maintenance schedule highlighting important areas to check – and when!

  1. January: Safety check! Start your year off on the right foot by ensuring your home is in proper working order. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries as necessary.
  2. February: The colder months are a great time to tackle indoor maintenance. Take the time to inspect your shower, tub and toilet for any leaks and recalk as needed to save you on costly repairs later in the year.
  3. March: Inspect your windows and doors for cracks as any gaps will cause heat (and air conditioning!) to escape from your home. Add weather stripping as needed to ensure they are sealed.
  4. April: As we get closer to spring, this is a great time to focus on the exterior of your home. A power-wash and deep clean of your siding and windows will help your home look its best.
  5. May: With summer just around the corner, this is a good time to check your A/C unit and ensure it is up to the challenge. Contact a professional HVAC company to service your unit and ensure it is up to optimal efficiency and output.
  6. June: As we move outside in the warmer months, this is the perfect opportunity to spruce up your deck and outdoor space. Pressure washing and resealing your deck will help keep it functional and gorgeous, all year long!
  7. July: Insects run wild in the warmer weather. To prevent damage, it is a good idea to consider a pest control plan especially if you live in a highly active area.
  8. August: As the end of the summer approaches and we get closer to the rainy season, you will want to ensure your roof is in good working order. Check the areas around your eaves and gutters for any water damage and ensure there are no leaks or loose shingles that could cause issues down the road.
  9. September: To create that warm and cozy fall atmosphere, you will want to ensure your fireplace is doing its job. This is the perfect time for a thorough inspection of your fireplace – whether wood or gas – to ensure everything is working well.
  10. October: With the gorgeous colors of fall in full swing, October is a great month to touch up the exterior of your home’s paint and boost your curb appeal. While you’re at it, make sure to check your foundations for any damage that could worsen in the colder months.
  11. November: As the leaves start to fall, it could spell a mess for your home. In November, focus on leaf and gutter cleanup. Regularly rake your yard to keep your grass green and collect any debris that may have collected in your gutters or your roof from high winds.
  12. December: You made it! Another year of home maintenance is almost done as we move into December. Get yourself snow ready by prepping your pipes and considering added insulation to keep them from freezing.

Happy New Year!

General Jag Dhamrait 1 Jan

We’re past the half way point in January! 2020 was a year full of surprises and change. 2021 gives us the opportunity for a fresh start, to renew or create new goals, and learn from past mistakes.

Resolutions are not for everyone. If you made resolutions or goals, take them day-by-day and don’t be hard on yourself if you have setbacks. Don’t dwell on them, make a commitment to yourself and move forward with a positive mindset. Small steps lead to incremental changes that will add up over the course of the year.

If you need help with goal setting or resolutions, visit ParctipACTION’s Take goal setting to the next level – make it SMART.

So, bring on the rest of 2021! Wishing you a great New Year ahead!

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