Benefits
Efficency & Savings
Retrofitting means your home can run using less energy, which translates into savings for you. Owners who retrofitted their homes saved on average $864 on gas and electric bills per year. In 5 years time, this will translate to $4320 in savings.
As an added bonus, retrofitting costs can subsequently be substitued with grants offered by federal, provincal, and utility incentive programs such as the ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program and the LiveSmartBC Efficiency Incentive Program. Programs offer grants anywhere between $100 to $1800 for any given retrofit.
Energy & Environment
You can save money on utility costs, have a more comfortable home and decrease your impact on the environment - all by improving the energy efficiency of your house. Climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, is one of the biggest problems facing us in the 21st century. The energy used to heat and cool our homes, as well as the electricity we use for lighting and appliances, contributes to 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.
Comfort & Health
A green remodel can be good for you, physically and emotionally. Health-focused designs maximize fresh air and natural light, while reducing the risk of injury and asthma. According to Health Canada, air pollution is linked to varying degrees to a number of health concerns including: respiratory diseases (including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cardiovascular disease, allergies, neurological effects. Levels of air pollution inside a home can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels. Using low-toxic materials and good ventilation techniques can help to prevent problems like moulds, allergens and poor indoor air quality.