very one in Ottawa knows how cold winters can be. But, for Randy, a Glebe resident, winter chills and cold drafts made his home uncomfortable. He got used to wearing warm socks around the house, keeping the furnace on high and placing a towel under the front door to stop the cold drafts.
When he found these ad hoc measures were not working well and his heating bills were over $1000 per month during the winter, Randy called EnviroCentre and requested their Home Comfort Service. EnviroCentre, a local not-for-profit environmental services company, sent Jonathan Ham, a certified home comfort specialist, to visit Randy's home and carry out an evaluation.
The Home Comfort Service evaluates your home from basement to attic and can identify money saving efficiency options (such as exact locations of drafts for sealing, need for insulation and recommended furnace size) and the health of your home (adequate ventilation is necessary or moulds and mildew will grow). The Service is currently being supported by the federal government and is available for $150 throughout the National Capital Region for homes of 2,500 square feet or less.
Mr. Ham first evaluated Randy's entire home, looking at each window, vent, door and exterior wall, furnace and water pipes. He then carried out a "blower door test" on the home.
The blower door test uses a fan placed over the front door to slightly depressurize the home. Once depressurized, drafts are easily located using a smoke pencil. Randy was surprised at how many cold drafts were getting through his home."You think you know your house well, but Jonathan can find drafts in locations you would never think of looking," he says.
A week later, Randy received his personalized Home Comfort Service Report from Mr. Ham. The report outlined specific methods to reduce energy consumption, feel more comfortable and save money. Such evaluations can identify over $400 a year in energy savings for the average home. With utility prices expected to jump 44% this winter, energy efficiency makes more sense than ever.
Some measures in the report were as simple as sealing out drafts in specific locations, but since renovations are planned, the ideal furnace size and insulation upgrades recommended will be useful.
Also, EnviroCentre will return to the home when most of the recommendations have been implemented and do a free follow up evaluation. This free follow up evaluation can ensure that any work competed on the home was done well and that the energy efficiency of the home has improved.
Now Randy knows exactly where to start sealing and what services to request from a contractor when he decides to renovate. This service will help him make his home more comfortable in the winter, ensure his home is adequately ventilated and save him money on energy bills year round. If you would like a Home Comfort Service evaluation by the professionals at EnviroCentre, please phone 244-5624 or book on-line at www.envirocentre.ca.