If you live in the GTA then chances are you’ve heard reports about how hot it’s supposed to be this summer. On one hand, that’s great news after months of cold, Canadian weather. However, an extra hot summer can also mean an extra high energy bill, if your home isn’t energy efficient.
eieihome.com spoke with Wayne Palmer from George Kent Home Improvements to learn more about how to help homes stay cooler during the warmer months, without sending energy bills through the roof.
The most important thing that any homeowner can do to conserve energy is to schedule a home energy audit.
“I think everyone should have an Energy Audit performed on their home,” says Palmer. “Whether [you] are looking for rebates or not, [having an audit performed on your home] is like having a physical on your body.”
Insulation for the summer months
Among the shortcomings revealed during an energy audit is whether or not your home has need of better (or more) insulation. Most homeowners know that having a well-insulated home is essential during the wintertime. What they don’t often consider is the fact that it is just as important when the weather heats up.
When it comes to your home’s insulation, there are certain things that your home energy audit could reveal.
“There may well be areas where there is little or no insulation, [because] the material has shifted, compressed or been moved by animals living in the attic,” Palmer tell us.
If this is the case, and the audit reveals a need for additional insulation, a homeowner’s next step should be to contact a professional insulation company, such as George Kent.
Some important information to have on hand when speaking to an insulation professional include:
- Your home’s age
- The approximate size of your attic
- Type of existing insulation (fiberglass or cellulose)
- Evidence of any mold on your ceiling
- Any history of animal pests (raccoons, squirrels, etc.)
Palmer says that there can be a ‘good, better, best’ approach to solving any problems revealed during your audit.
“[The] good [option is to] simply seal up existing air leaks in the attic (assuming you have adequate insulation),” he says. “[The] better [solution is to] seal up leaks and top up existing insulation to R50 or 60. [However] the best [solution would be to]remove old insulation, seal leaks, Spray foam 1-2 inches off the floor and then add R50 blown in insulation.”
Palmer also suggests that homeowners check for energy grants through government or utility companies.
Of course, the most important part of the solution is to invest in an energy audit, which is something that the professionals at George Kent can help out with. To learn more, see the listing for George Kent here on eieihome.com.
