Luckily we’ve had a glorious summer here in Barrie! Great heat, nice breezes, and a bit of rain to keep everything alive. Although the summer’s not over yet – believe me, I’m trying to delay the inevitable, too – it’s time to start thinking about getting your home ready for winter. There are a few things you can do around the house to make your home more efficient, even starting now!
If there are some major renovations you’ve been thinking about to better your home’s energy efficiency it’s far more pleasant to make those changes now than while it’s snowing.
Replacing windows and doors are a major cost, however if you’ve noticed over the last year or so that you have a draft in some parts of your home, or if you have cold spots in winter, now might be the time. You’ll really notice a difference on your heating bills. Weatherstripping around doors and windows can be a cheap alternative if you’re putting off replacing them for another season!
Replacing or adding insulation in your attic will also make a noticeable discount on your heating bill this winter, but you’ll also have the added bonus of keeping cool when next summer rolls around. You can replace the insulation in your attic for about $1/sqft if you DIY.
There are also some very inexpensive – or free! – things you can do to save energy any time of year. For example, if you have a fridge or freezer that’s 15 years or older, the Ontario Power Authority will pick it up from your home for free! Even something as simple as choosing Energy Star light bulbs will make a considerable change in your bills, and for the environment too.
There are so many resources for you to make your home function better that will save you money in the long run! Certainly you can spend lots of money improving your home’s energy efficiency, but even the smallest things can help, and they also make great selling features when you’re ready to move on.
