-
What is the best way to reduce GHG’s emitted by my home?
The best way to reduce the greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted by your home is to switch from a greenhouse gas intensive heating fuel to a more climate friendly fuel type. Fossil fuels are the most GHG intensive heating fuels, with oil having the highest emissions, followed by propane and natural gas. Other combustion fuels such…
-
What are EnerGuide home evaluations?
An EnerGuide home evaluation is a comprehensive service designed by the federal government to help you improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. As part of the service, an energy advisor will come to your home and assess its energy performance. Energy advisors are building science professionals who will provide you with unbiased…
-
What are the symptoms of poor indoor air quality, and how can it be improved?
If your home has insufficient air distribution and ventilation, you may find that your home has poor indoor air quality. Insufficient air distribution and ventilation often results in mould, condensation on windows and mirrors, lingering smells after cooking, and chemical smells (from synthetic fabrics, furnishings, household products, cigarette smoke, burning candles, etc.). If your home…
-
What accreditations do I look for when hiring contractors/installers?
When hiring an installer for your energy efficiency upgrades and renovations, it’s a good practice to look for an installer’s certifications and credentials. Accreditations you should look for include: Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.
-
What are some of the consequences of hiring a contractor who doesn’t sell quality products or provide a professional installation?
If you don’t take the time to select a professional contractor with the expertise to complete your home renovation or installation, you may have to deal with unforeseen consequences. Below is a partial list of problems that can arise if a contractor uses lower-quality products and/or does not complete a professional installation: Did you see…
-
Can I replace my window panes and/or sills but not the frames?
No. You must replace the entire window, including the frame, in order for your window upgrade to be eligible for a rebate or to count toward the Bonus Offers. The whole window assembly must be ENERGY STAR® certified and must be listed on the ENERGY STAR certified fenestration list for windows and doors. For complete window and door…
-
How can I tell if my home uses too much energy?
Learn more about what makes a home energy-efficient [2.56MB PDF] with Natural Resources Canada. According to Natural Resources Canada’s 2015 Survey of Household Energy Use (SHEU-2015), a single detached home in British Columbia consumes 106.3 gigajoules (GJ) of energy per year on average. However, this number can vary depending on a number of factors, such…
-
What resources are available for DIY home energy improvements?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Natural Resources Canada BC Housing BC Hydro FortisBC Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.
-
What if I’m not satisfied with my contractor’s service?
If you are not satisfied with the service that your contractor has provided, there are a few actions that you can take: Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.
