Getting started with energy efficiency

By Carmen Wyton
March 27, 2018

If you’re curious about an energy efficient home, starting from scratch with a newly built home provides you with a wonderful opportunity to explore the many aspects of it further.

Getting started with energy efficiency can feel like a daunting task, especially when you are already facing a pile of decisions about your newly built home. There are, however, several points you can discuss with your builder to help you better navigate the world of energy efficiency. Insulation, windows, furnace, hot water heaters and drain water heat recovery are all great places to start.

What to ask your builder about:

  • The R-value of insulation which measures its resistance to heat transfers. The higher to R-value, the better it will keep the heat inside your home.
  • Windows that can help increase air-tightness and reduce noise and energy loss.
  • Tankless water heaters that can take up less space, waste less energy and provide hot water faster.
  • Drain water heat recovery devices that capture heat and transfer it to the cold water coming into your hot water heater.
  • Furnace with a high efficiency motor (electronically commutated motor or ECM) that can help save your electricity use and money on your natural gas bill.
  • Heat recovery ventilator to help keep heat inside your house.

Accessing rebates

Now is a great time to explore energy efficient homes in Alberta. Rebates are currently available through Energy Efficiency Alberta. There are rebates for windows, insulation and tankless water heaters among others. More information about all the rebates and how to take advantage of them is available at efficiencyalberta.ca

While many of these options will be considered upgrades, they will provide you with a quieter, more comfortable home that works to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. You will also probably experience some savings on your utility bills, saving you money in the long term.

Net Zero

If you’re looking to take additional steps towards creating an energy efficient home, check back next month for a look at Net Zero homes.

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About Carmen Wyton

Carmen Wyton is the former CEO, Building Industry and Land Development Alberta Association (BILD Alberta), the unified voice for the land development, home building and renovation industry in Alberta.

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