Home renovations
improve environment

With the cost of energy going up, Mr. and Mrs. A. of London, Ontario, wanted to save money on their home heating bills.

“We needed to keep the heat in!” says Mrs. A. When their friends told them about the grant and rebate money they’d received through the Canadian and provincial governments, Mrs. A. says, “We wanted to check things out.”

Home energy audit

When an Ontario Home Energy Advisor paid a visit to the couple’s 1960 rancher, the advisor pointed out that the cost of heating and cooling the home was compounded by a variety of factors. Not only was it expensive to run the old furnace and air conditioner, but the warm or cool air they generated quickly escaped through the home’s structure.

The old windows, as well as the old main walls, attic insulation and basement walls, allowed air to travel freely between indoors and outdoors. With such a drafty structure, the furnace and air conditioner had to work overtime just to keep the home comfortable. That added up to expensive gas and electricity bills every month.

High-efficiency windows

The Energy Advisor helped the pair decide on their renovation priorities, and make choices based on greatest energy savings and grant potential. They started with the windows, because “you can’t fill the walls without the windows in place,” says Mrs. A.

After replacing the home’s old windows with high-efficiency Energy Star-rated ones, a contractor sealed the gaps around the window frames to prevent drafts, and sealed other places in the home where air could leak through. They also installed new Energy Star-rated doors on the home, and a new Energy Star-rated garage door for the home’s attached garage.

Energy Star furnace and central air conditioner

After the windows and air sealing were complete, the couple had a contractor install a new high-efficiency gas furnace with a DC variable-speed motor, which would use less natural gas to keep the home warm in the winter.

The old furnace was a high efficiency one at its time, but was at least 20 years old and had needed several repairs, so it needed replacing. Mrs. A., London London furnace grants

“The old furnace was a high efficiency one at its time, but was at least 20 years old and had needed several repairs, so it needed replacing,” says Mrs. A.. They also chose an Energy Star-rated central air conditioner, which was installed at the same time as the new furnace. The work was complete in a single day.

Attic and wall insulation

The last big job was the blown-in main wall and attic insulation, which also took just a day, but as Mrs. A.. points out, it was a messier job, so she was glad it went quickly.

The process was relatively simple, though — the insulation contractor drilled small holes in the main walls and used special equipment to blow loose insulation into the wall cavities. After the insulation was in place, the contractor repaired the holes, leaving the walls like new.

I like the windows; they’re much nicer looking and they open and close better for cleaning. Mrs. A., London London window rebates

Whole home improvement

Overall, Mrs. A.. says she’s extremely pleased with the results of her renovations. The windows are cleaner looking. The house has better lighting because the front and back doors are mostly glass. The furnace doesn’t need to run as often, and the heat is more evenly distributed. “I like the windows; they’re much nicer looking and they open and close better for cleaning,” says Mrs. A.. But for favourites, she adds, “My husband would probably say the furnace.”

Government grant programs

We have very cold seasons. For older homeowners it’s a big savings — and your home is more comfortable. Mrs. A., London London home energy grants

By taking advantage of federal government grant programs, and the Ontario government’s Home Energy Savings program, Mrs. A.. says homeowners can make a big difference to their homes and to the environment. “We have very cold seasons. For older homeowners it’s a big savings — and your home is more comfortable.”

And while she’s certain the renovations have added to the value of their home, she says, improving its EnerGuide score turned out to be more than just a cost-savings measure. “We’re glad that we’ve done our share to help out the environment,” she says.

Government grants

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

London homeowners can also get ...

And there’s more.

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

Enjoy all the benefits

Do it right

Each London 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 London home — and help improve your energy costs and the London, Ontario environment.

Energy renovations help ...

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

When you improve your home in London, 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 London homeowners like you are saving thousands of dollars and tonnes of greenhouse gases every year, by making the right energy-saving home renovations. London Ontario homeowners can make a difference.

Get started today!

Learn more about Renovation Rebates in London Ontario ...

To qualify you need a London home energy audit before your renovations.

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