Government rebates and green mortgages have made energy efficient homes accessible to all. Now that you can afford it, making your home more energy efficient is a no brainer. Investments that streamline your energy consumption pay for themselves in a couple of years and then proceed to save you a fortune in utility costs. With utility bills continuing to rise, there has never been a better time to save yourself some green and help the environment too.
Improving home energy efficiency does not always require a complete renovation. Sealing gaps, maintaining mechanical equipment, improving insulation, and choosing energy-efficient products can reduce unnecessary energy use and make indoor temperatures easier to control. Start by identifying the areas where the home is losing energy, then prioritize the work based on its condition, climate, and budget.
Schedule a Home Energy Assessment
An energy assessment can identify air leakage, insufficient insulation, inefficient equipment, and other common sources of energy loss. The results can help determine which improvements should be completed first.
Canadian homeowners can learn about the Government of Canada’s EnerGuide home energy evaluations and use Natural Resources Canada’s directory to find a registered service organization. EnerGuide evaluations are completed by energy advisors registered with Natural Resources Canada.
American homeowners can review the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score, which assesses a home’s energy-related features and provides recommendations for potential improvements.
Steps to Improve Home Energy Efficiency
1. Seal Gaps and Penetrations
Air can leak through gaps around windows, doors, plumbing lines, wiring, vents, attic hatches, rim joists, and transitions between building materials.
Inspect existing caulking for cracks or deterioration. Seal openings around HVAC equipment, plumbing pipes, and other penetrations with materials suited to the location and application. Exterior penetrations should also be detailed to prevent water from entering the assembly.
Air sealing should be coordinated with the home’s ventilation system. A tighter building envelope may require mechanical ventilation to manage fresh air and indoor humidity.
2. Replace Worn Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping around doors and operable windows can loosen, compress, or crack over time.
Check for visible gaps and drafts around the perimeter of each opening. Replace damaged weatherstripping and adjust door sweeps where necessary.
These small repairs can reduce uncontrolled airflow without replacing the complete window or door.
3. Improve Wall Insulation
Insulation helps limit the amount of heating and cooling that escapes through the walls. Insulation installed between framing members leaves the framing itself exposed as a path for heat flow. Continuous rigid insulation covers a larger portion of the wall and reduces this thermal bridging.
SilveRboard® and Envirosheet provide rigid EPS insulation options for residential walls and other building assemblies. SilveRboard® Graphite provides an R-value of 4.7 per inch and can be used in exterior above-grade walls, recladding projects, roof assemblies, interior foundation walls, and selected below-slab applications.
Product type, thickness, attachment, flashing, and cladding details should follow the project specifications and applicable building codes.
4. Insulate Foundation Walls and Basement Floors
Concrete foundation walls and floors can allow heat to escape from the home. Adding insulation can improve basement comfort and reduce heat loss through these surfaces.
AmDrain combines rigid EPS insulation with a drainage system that directs water away from the foundation. The panels can also protect the waterproofing layer during backfilling.
AmDry Eco can be installed over basement floors to provide insulation and a channelled space for drainage or ventilation. When its joints are properly taped and sealed, the laminated film can function as a vapour barrier.
Below-grade insulation must be installed as part of a complete moisture-management system that accounts for waterproofing, drainage, soil conditions, and local code requirements.
5. Check the Roof and Attic
Missing, compressed, or uneven attic insulation can allow heating and cooling to escape through the ceiling.
Inspect the areas around attic hatches, ducts, exhaust fans, plumbing stacks, wiring, and wall-to-ceiling transitions. Seal accessible gaps and add insulation where existing coverage is inadequate.
Maintain ventilation paths at the eaves and all required clearances around heat-producing equipment.
For larger projects, Alleguard offers EPS products for flat and tapered roofing insulation, cover boards, flute-fill applications, and insulated concrete roof systems.
6. Maintain Heating and Cooling Equipment
Dirty filters can restrict airflow and cause air conditioners and furnaces to work harder and use more energy.
Replace or clean filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep outdoor equipment free from leaves, snow, and other debris. Inspect accessible ductwork for loose connections, air leakage, or damaged insulation.
Professional service may be required when equipment produces unusual noise, delivers weak airflow, cycles frequently, or fails to maintain consistent temperatures.
Older furnaces and other inefficient mechanical equipment may use more energy than newer high-efficiency models. Heating and cooling equipment should be sized for the completed building envelope, particularly when major insulation or air-sealing improvements are planned.
Insulating accessible hot-water pipes can also reduce heat loss.
7. Evaluate Windows Before Replacing Them
Drafts around a window do not always mean the entire unit needs to be replaced. The problem may be damaged weatherstripping, deteriorated perimeter sealant, or gaps between the window frame and wall.
Repair these areas before deciding on a full replacement.
When new windows are required, choose energy-efficient units with insulated glazing suited to the climate. Compare U-factor, solar heat-gain coefficient, air-leakage ratings, frame construction, glazing, and installation details.
Exterior solar film or shading can also reduce unwanted summer heat gain through windows.
8. Choose Efficient Lighting and Appliances
Energy-efficient lighting uses less electricity than traditional incandescent lighting. LED bulbs provide an efficient, long-lasting option for most household fixtures.
When an older appliance reaches the end of its useful life, replacing it with a more energy-efficient model may reduce electricity use. Compare verified energy-use information among models with similar capacities. Product size matters because a larger appliance may consume more energy despite carrying an efficiency certification.
Programmable thermostats and smart controls can also reduce unnecessary equipment operation. These controls are most effective when the home is already properly insulated and sealed.
9. Consider Radiant Floor Heating
Retrofitting radiant floor heating over an existing concrete slab can provide a cost-effective way to heat a basement, bathroom, or other renovated space without removing and replacing the slab. Low-profile hydronic systems such as AmPex Low Profile use PEX tubing beneath a concrete topping, while electric systems use heating cables or mats installed below the finished floor.
Review Current Incentives Before Starting
Government and utility incentives may help reduce the cost of qualifying energy-efficiency improvements.
Energy-efficiency incentives vary by location, utility provider, project type, and qualifying improvement. Program requirements and rebate amounts can change over time.
Canadian homeowners can take advantage of the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program on repairs for renovations that improve energy efficiency. State and utility rebate programs can be searched through the ENERGY STAR rebate finder and the DSIRE incentive database.