New windows help furnace
and air conditioner efficiency

Karren Rennalls has lived with her husband and kids in their tidy semi-detached Ottawa home for five and a half years.

The Ottawa home was built in 1989, and in the time Rennalls and her family have been there, they’ve seen the wooden window frames deteriorate — to the point that Rennalls knew it was time to shop for replacement windows.

“They had mildew and moisture on them, and there was a draft coming through,” Rennalls says. Clearly, the Ottawa home’s old windows were not as energy-efficient as they could have been.

Like many Ottawa homeowners, Rennalls takes good care of her home, but the problems she had with her old windows couldn’t have been prevented by maintenance.

That’s because moisture in the indoor air condenses on single-pane windows when the window glass gets cold. Water from the air forms droplets on the glass, then drips down into the window frame, where it can cause mold and mildew.

Besides unsightly smudges on window frames and paint finishes, mold and mildew can contribute to health problems like asthma and allergies. With three small children at home, Rennalls knew it was clearly time to make a few important renovations and improvements, in the name of energy savings as well as health.

Home energy audit

Rennalls had an Ontario Home Energy Advisor visit her home to help determine the best course of action for her windows. During the home energy audit, the advisor created an official ecoENERGY action report, which showed Rennalls which renovations and improvements could make the biggest difference to her Ottawa home’s overall comfort. “We learned where we were losing most of our heat, and what major improvements were needed in our home,” says Rennalls.

We learned where we were losing most of our heat, and what major improvements were needed in our home. Karren Rennalls, Ottawa Ottawa window grants

New windows

New windows were among the energy-saving renovations on the ecoENERGY list. Because they provide better insulation between indoors and outdoors, the new Energy Star windows wouldn’t fog up — keeping her windows clear, and her window frames free of moisture and condensation.

High-efficiency furnace and air conditioner

In addition to replacing her home’s old windows with new windows Energy Star-rated for the Ottawa climate zone, Rennalls learned that a new high-efficiency furnace, combined with a new high-efficiency air conditioner, could improve her home’s overall comfort level, and provide cost savings because they use less energy.

The comfort level in the home has changed. It is definitely more comfortable. Karren Rennalls, Ottawa Ottawa furnace grants

Improved energy rating

The Ontario Home Energy Advisor helped Rennalls prioritize her home renovations. Because new windows can affect how efficiently furnaces and air conditioners operate, she decided to renovate with replacement windows first, and then go on to install the new furnace and air conditioner. The result was a ten-point improvement in her Ottawa home’s EnerGuide score, from 61 points to 71 points out of a possible 100. Plus, she says, “The comfort level in the home has changed. It is definitely more comfortable.”

To improve the overall energy efficiency of the country. If we all did our small part it would benefit the country as a whole. Karren Rennalls, Ottawa Ottawa home energy grants

While Canadian and Ontario government grants and rebates helped offset the costs of her new high-efficiency furnace, air conditioner and windows, Rennalls says it’s important to do home energy renovations for another reason: “To improve the overall energy efficiency of the country. If we all did our small part it would benefit the country as a whole.”

Government grants

Ottawa homeowners can choose from a shopping list of renovation grants from the Government of Canada:

Ottawa homeowners can also get ...

And there’s more.

Take advantage of Government of Canada ecoENERGY grants for home energy renovation in Ottawa:

Easy to start — Canada

All you do is make one call — 1-877-732-9888 — to book a home energy audit with a HomePerformance Energy Advisor – your first step to qualifying for Canada ecoENERGY grants and provincial rebates for home energy renovations.

Enjoy all the benefits

Do it right

Each Ottawa home has its own specific energy-savings needs, and yours is no different. The right renovations add up to big savings. By following the expert advice of a certified Ontario energy advisor, you’ll make the energy renovations or "retrofits" that are right for your Ottawa home — and help improve your energy costs and the Ottawa, Ontario environment.

Three easy steps

Energy renovations help ...

And that’s not all. Here are more benefits ...

When you improve your home in Ottawa, you also make a difference to the rest of the world. You’ll help address important global issues like ...

And there’s even more. Click here to learn how Ottawa homeowners like you are saving thousands of dollars and tonnes of greenhouse gases every year, by making the right energy-saving home renovations. Ottawa Ontario homeowners can make a difference.

Get started today!

Learn more about Renovation Rebates in Ottawa Ontario ...

To qualify you need a Ottawa home energy audit before your renovations. For more information on tax-free government grants + Ontario Home Energy rebates - Click here

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