Since the Canadian Government is offering Grants to make your home more efficient, now is a great time to have an energy audit done of your home to find out what you can do to save energy.
At the Green Living Show last week we bumped into the folks from GreenSaver, a non-profit organization which offers energy audits and retrofits for homeowners in the GTA. Having an energy audit of your home before and after your renovations can help you qualify for a Natural Resources Canada grant (more information on the NRC website).
Vladan Veljovic, President & CEO of GreenSaver, was kind enough to answer some questions for us about their program, the environmental benefits, and about the money that consumers can save on utility bills after an energy audit.
GreenGTA: What does Green Saver do?
Vladan: GreenSaver is the oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and alternative energy in Ontario. It does energy audits, energy retrofits, operates and manages energy efficiency programs on behalf of various utilities, community groups and government agencies and promotes new energy technologies (such as solar hot water).
GreenGTA: How do your services help the environment?
Vladan: All our services directly result in a reduction of energy usage and by extension a reduction in emissions of harmful greenhouse gases. On average, just doing minor energy efficiency improvements in a home, the customer can eliminate 1-2 tons CO2 emissions annually.
GreenGTA: Do your services help save people money? If so, how so?
Vladan: GreenSaver’s motto has always been practical environmental energy efficiency. By undertaking any of our services, the customers are saving money.
For example, an energy retrofit can save you money in utility bills as well as provide government incentives back to you. With the advent of mandatory energy audits tied to home sales, there is every indication to believe that an investment in energy efficiency will also improve the value of your home.
GreenGTA: What happens during an energy audit?
Vladan: An energy audit is based on scientific principles and relies on specific testing (blower-door test which depressurizes the house and identifies drafts and air leaks) with a sophisticated computer modeling which result in a “road map” to allow informed energy efficiency decisions. The typical audit lasts about 2 hours and involves the house inspection, the tests, interview with the homeowner and an ongoing Q&A session to ensure comprehension of the final report.
GreenGTA: How much money can people typically save by making the renovations to their home after an audit?
Vladan: Depending on what measures are chosen, the savings in utility bills can be substantial. Historic data, based on over 35,000 energy audits indicates an average savings of between 25 and 35 % of the utility bills.
GreenGTA: What are a few top things that people can do to help increase the energy efficiency of their home?
Vladan: The most cost effective energy efficiency improvements are:
1. Insulation (attic and wall insulation) – this provides very quick paybacks, in the case of older homes less than 1 year
2. Draft proofing (caulking of window trims and floorboards, plugging holes in the walls, weatherstripping doors) – this is not only an effective measure but one that is very much associated with comfort and eliminating drafts
3. Lighting – changing incandescent to CFL lighting is a fast and effective way to cut the hydro bills
GreenGTA: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Vladan: GreenSaver is involved in several interesting programs, including:
Multifamily Buildings Rebate program
Low Income Program for Enbridge and
Solar program for WISE
You can visit the GreenSaver website at http://greensaver.org/
