By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: May 26, 2012
Frank Rensing is honest about why he chose to make his home more energy efficient.
He didn’t do it for the love of environment. He did it for money.
Rensing saved about $10,000 in provincial and federal government rebates for making his home energy efficient.
Rensing recently bought a home in the Garibaldi Highlands, and did extensive renovations on it.
He installed a new energy efficient boiler and hot water tank, ripped dry wall and foamed them for better insulation, and also installed a low-flow toilet.
He also changed old windows, replacing them with new energy efficient windows that retain 30 per cent more heat.
Like Rensing, more people are opting to make their homes energy efficient, said Luke Dolan of Capital Home Energy.
“You can get some money back, you are living a more sustainable lifestyle, and making your home a healthier place,” he said.
Dolan said rebates worth $5,000 can be obtained through Live Smart B.C. for making changes to the insulation, heating, windows, etc.
Besides rebates, there are long term savings on utilities, Dolan added.
“You could expect to see a 50-60 per cent reduction in your gas and electric bill,” he said.
Home owners can call a home auditor, who will do a detailed report and provide an EnerGuide rating for the home.
The Energuide rating for Frank Rensing’s home was 64, but his new rating is 80, a very good score for a home built in 1963. The average Energuide rating for a home of this age in BC is 58.
Dolan said with Rensing can expect to save as much as $700-$900 annually on energy bills, and help live a sustaibele life style.
“It’s a win-win situation.”
