(NC)—A house is made up of components that work together to form an integrated system. The performance of one component depends on its relationship with other components in the same system. Your home's ventilation and heating components, construction materials, their assembly and the behaviour of the people living there all interact – a change to one affects all others.
Changing one component of a house without considering how it influences other components and the entire house system can waste energy and money.
This fall, as we prepare to face another “fresh” Canadian winter and all the utility bills that go along with that, take a moment to think about the system in your house and how you can create efficiencies to save you money and help the environment:
• Investing in a high efficiency furnace is a great idea, but it will have to run a lot longer if you have poor weatherstripping around windows and doors and insufficient insulation in the walls and attic. Invest in proper air sealing and insulation levels, and watch your savings soar;
• New high-efficiency windows won't prevent condensation problems if they are improperly sealed or insulated, the humidifier on the furnace has not been adjusted or if kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are rarely used or are improperly ventilated;
• A properly functioning home incorporates air tightness and good ventilation. You can have those systems tested by a certified EnerGuide energy advisor who is certified by Natural Resources Canada. He or she makes sure that any recommended upgrades will take both these factors into account as well as other components of the house as a system, thereby ensuring the health and safety of you, your family and other dwellers in the home.
You can find a licensed EnerGuide advisor in your area by visiting www.newhomes.nrcan.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000 to order publications.
www.newscanada.com
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