As people begin to better understand the importance of saving energy and how that directly impacts the world, energy-efficient homes are becoming more popular. So why aren’t there more energy-efficient homes in Markham and the surrounding area?
A possible reason for that is simply because people just don’t know the benefits of updating their homes, or they don’t know how to go about doing it.
Benefits of an Energy-Efficient Home
There are several reasons why having an energy-saving home in Markham is beneficial, and the Government of Canada just added to that list with its Green Homes Grant, which awards up to $5,000 in rebate for Canadians looking to reduce energy use.
If that’s not reason enough to embrace a low-energy lifestyle, here are three others:
- Cost-efficient: Using less energy translates to significantly reduced energy bills.
- Resale value: Updating your home to be more energy-efficient shows a commitment to living a greener lifestyle, which is attractive to homebuyers.
- Environmentally friendly: Climate change has proven to be real and disastrous, and making your home energy-efficient is a great way to do your part to help the Earth.
4 Ways to Make Your Home Energy-Efficient
Understanding the perks of updating your home to be more energy-efficient is one thing, but actually figuring out how to do it is another. Luckily, there are several ways you can be energy efficient.
Here are four ways to have an energy-saving home in Markham and surrounding areas:
- Do an Energy Audit
Before making any financial commitments to upgrading your home, it’s a good idea to do an energy audit on your home. This will help you understand how your household is using energy and which areas you need to focus on to reduce energy use. The Government of Canada offers these evaluations, but you can also do them yourself using tools like an energy cost calculator.
- Cut Down on Air Conditioning
Reducing how often you use your A.C. is a great, simple way to make your home more energy-efficient. Instead, invest in ceiling fans and practise routines like drawing the curtains and closing the windows during the hottest time of the day to keep rooms cool.
Similarly, you can reduce your energy consumption during the winter months by insulating your home to keep the heat in.
- Replace the Lightbulbs
Energy-efficient lightbulbs, such as CFL or LED bulbs, both reduce the amount of energy used and last much longer. For outdoors, opt for solar-powered lamps for your garden and motion-detection lights for your porch to further reduce energy waste.
- Use Appliances Wisely
If you can’t afford to upgrade your appliances, you can start using them more wisely. Hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. Use a broom to tidy your driveway instead of an electric blower. Whenever possible, opt for using manual appliances rather than electric.
Find the Right Home With Martin MacFarlane
If energy efficiency is top of mind for you when you’re searching for a new home, it’s a good idea to seek the expertise of someone who knows the area inside and out. Martin MacFarlane has lived in Markham and Unionville for three decades, so contact him for advice on finding your dream home.
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