Tips for keeping your home warm, comfortable and energy efficient

Written By Zach Potter

Taking the time to ensure that your home is energy-efficient can be a bit daunting at first, but it is an important step to ensuring that your home is warm and comfortable for you and your family. Changing your habits and making some small upgrades can go a long way toward saving energy in your home. Our experts have compiled some quick tips to help keep you on track year-round.
 

TIP #1 – Seal the Gaps and Cracks in Your Home

Cracks and gaps in an average home usually account for 10-15% of overall heat loss. You can combat this and save on your heating bill by ensuring that the breeze doesn't get into your home in the first place.  Here are some simple cost effective things you can do such as:

  • stop breezes under doors by installing draft excluders at the base or by using door draft stoppers to block the cold

  • install foam strips around windows for extra insulation

  • ensure older windows in your home are replaced with standard Low E Argon double glazed windows as an energy saving measure

  • if replacing your windows isn't a viable option, use insulated curtains to prevent air circulation from window spaces into rooms

  • seal around penetrations through your exterior walls and ceilings: electrical wires, hose bibs and ventilation ducts

  • use vapour proof electrical boxes or, to upgrade your existing home, you can install foam gaskets behind existing electrical outlets and switch plates


TIP #2 – Insulate Your Home From the Cold

Good insulation for ceilings, walls and floors improves the comfort of your home by blocking the heat and keeping it cooler in the summer and locking the heat in during the winter months. To see the greatest savings on your heat bill, improve your ceiling insulation first, then walls and lastly your floors.

TIP #3 – Lessen Your Hot Water Consumption

One of the easiest ways to save on your heat bill is by reducing your hot water consumption. This can be achieved in a few ways, including:

  • upgrading any leaky faucets or showerheads to reduce overall water usage

  • using cold water to wash clothes whenever possible

  • try to take shorter showers — using a timer can help to keep you on track

  • add an insulation wrap for your hot water tank to keep heat in

These are just a few ways to lessen your overall household energy consumption in your current home. If you are thinking of upgrading to a newer home, consult with a Karwood representative to see how we can help you build a home that is energy-efficient and comfortable for you and your loved ones.

Zach Potter
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