Are you thinking about undertaking a renovation of your Calgary area home?  When it comes down to making the leap, the factor that has a massive effect on the outcome of the project, or whether there will even be a project, is cost. We all want to hold onto our pennies….or nickels now I guess.

Desire for  a change now and then is normal.  Getting rid of the old and bringing in a fresh new look and feel to our interior spaces is refreshing. But, how can we justify the expense? There are a few options available to the Calgarian desiring help with the financial demands of their home renovation.

Real monthly energy savings

There are a few basic changes you can make to your Calgary home, to offset the costs:

Insulation

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As Canadians we know a thing or two about insulation. We were all raised to understand that heat rises.

“Your feet are cold? Put on your toque!”

This lesson was not lost on us, as most homes today have adequate insulation in the attic, even older homes have had loose fill insulation added to keep the heat bills down. But beyond the attic, there are other opportunities to improve your home’s energy efficiency.  For example, the use of exterior insulation.

There are many stuccos,

      

 

EIFS  (info link: http://www.dspinspections.com/eifs_facts.htm) ,and siding systems that utilize ridged foam insulation to add thermal resistance, and air leak reduction.

At the same time, you can achieve a great fresh look for your home’s exterior, which is the real goal in a renovation. This option is especially beneficial if your home has 2”x 4” stud walls with the old R-12 insulation.

 Windows and Doors

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No energy savings motivated renovation is complete without new windows. Windows have always been a necessary evil when it comes to a home. That opening in the wall is great for letting in extra light, a view, fresh air, but at other times it can seem like a giant hole that your hard earned dollars shoot out of constantly.

Recent improvements in glazing technology allow for windows to have “R” values on par with your exterior walls.  So now, you can enjoy that beautiful view of downtown or the Rocky Mountains, while avoiding the risk of a heart attack following opening your energy bill!  Windows may not be cheap, but neither are our ever climbing energy costs!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doors are a common source of energy woes with the repeated cycles of opening and closing year after year taking their toll on even the best quality units seals and materials. A fresh, tightly sealed, well-adjusted door is an efficient door. A money saving door.

Heating and Cooling Equipment

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Over the last 15 years the efficiency of furnaces and water heaters has improved dramatically, and continue to do so each year.

Replacing your old furnace with one of the new energy efficient options is a no brainer. It can be hard to get excited about changing the heating equipment in your home, but don’t wait too long to do so. Replacing a furnace on your timeline will be much cheaper and easier to swallow than if you have to upgrade when your old unit suddenly fails during the January, or April, cold snap. With a new furnace and sealing tape on duct work some homeowners have boasted a 50% reduction in heating costs!  Heat pumps and heat exchangers are other options that can be added to your home’s heating system to recover heat formerly lost through normal day to day ventilation.

And then water heaters.  Let’s face it. Your old water heater is robbing you blind. Send it packing and bring in a new efficient model. The energy savings enjoyed by tank-less water heaters has led to their popularity skyrocketing, and thus their cost has come down substantially.

Financial Incentives

The CMHC has an option that might be just the added push towards your renovation.  Simply put, they have added environmentally friendly features to the Mortgage Loan Insurance it offers. If you use CMHC insured financing to renovate your Calgary area home to renovate your home, to make it more energy-efficient, a 10% refund on the premium, and a premium refund for a longer amortization period (if applicable) may be available.

So, whether trying to save money or the planet, renovating with the goal of reducing energy use makes sense, and cents. At Interiors with Elegance, we understand that budget is just as important as great design and quality.  Contact us today to start the process on your energy and money saving renovation in the Calgary area.