Plan for Energy Savings

Your house is a system with interconnected parts.  The three key components of your home’s overall system are the building envelope or your home’s outer shell, the heating system, and the ventilation system.  Any change to one of these components usually impacts the other two.  That’s why planning ahead and making adjustments to achieve a balanced system will help prevent problems that may be costly to repair down the road.

Sealing Air Leaks

Sealing air leaks in the building envelope is generally a good start and should be done before making other major retrofits.  In homes built before 1980, the combination of air leaks is the equivalent of a small window being continuously opened in the height of winter.  Fortunately, there is a cost-effective way to improve your energy efficiency.  On a cool windy day check for air leaks around your windows and doors by using a feather, incense stick or thin piece of plastic. 

Caulking and weather-stripping are inexpensive types of air sealants. There are many products on the market with varying degrees of quality, so compare products and choose wisely.  Discuss your concerns with a hardware or building-supply store representative who will help you select the right product for the job.

Insulation

Non-insulated basements or attics can each lose a whopping 30 per cent of your home’s valuable heat!  In Alberta, the recommended level of insulation in the attic is typically R40 (even higher in colder regions) and a minimum of R12 for basements.  R-Value refers to the resistance of heat flow per inch and the higher the R rating, the more effective the material. Note that adding an excessive amount of insulation is generally not cost-effective, based on the added expense and the minimal amount of energy saved. 

There are a variety of insulation materials available, ideal for certain applications.  For example, blown-in insulation (such as fiberglass and cellulose) is practical for smaller spaces like cramped attics.  To be effective, insulation must be kept dry and draft-free through the use of an air-barrier - also known as house wrap - on the cool side and a vapour-barrier on the warm side of the material.  An air-barrier is a product that stops exterior unconditioned air from entering your house.  The vapor-barrier stops moisture from forming between your walls.

Home Heating

Your heating system is the heart of your home, and a natural gas furnace is the typical heating source for Albertans.  Older standard furnaces operate at low efficiency levels and quite often are over sized, making them even less energy efficient.  Fortunately, furnace technology has greatly improved in recent years, and newer furnaces can effectively reduce your overall energy consumption.  New furnaces today operate at between 78 per cent (mid-efficient models) and 97 per cent (high-efficient condensing models) energy efficiency. 

Upgrading an old furnace to the most efficient model will reduce your energy consumption by about 30 per cent!  Choose a reputable heating contractor to perform a heat-loss calculation.  Doing so will ensure a properly-sized furnace is installed so it operates at peak efficiencies.
 
Before purchasing your natural gas furnace, it is good practice to air seal your home as effectively as possible.  Bear in mind, sufficient ventilation is always required to maintain healthy indoor air and to operate gas-burning appliances safely.

Indoor Ventilation

There are two types of indoor ventilation:  natural (e.g. opened window) and mechanical (e.g. range hood fan).  The former type is bountiful and free; however mechanical ventilation is better for good indoor air quality and eliminates the drawbacks of natural ventilation.  These drawbacks include moist air drawn from the home in the winter, leaving indoor air dry and letting outdoor dirt, dust, pollens and other particles into the home. 

Additional mechanical ventilation is sometimes required following massive air sealing and insulation efforts to provide adequate clean air supply in the home.  One option is a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), a device that exhausts indoor air outside and uses this outgoing air to preheat fresh incoming air. The fresh air is then distributed throughout the home for optimal indoor air quality.

Properly planning your home retrofit project is critical to achieving an energy-efficient home, and while a major retrofit can be expensive, the benefits of improved energy efficiency will outweigh the costs.  Recognizing the environmental benefits, improved comfort and money savings over time will make the decision easier when investing in smart energy-efficient upgrades for your home.