Why are energy efficient home renovations important?
Recent studies in Canada have confirmed that energy efficient home renovations are the single most important thing homeowners can do to save substantially on home energy costs, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Perhaps most important, retrofitting a home costs less than producing new energy supplies to heat it. Fully 15 to 20 percent of Canada’s annual energy use is to heat our homes, and this energy comes mostly from non-renewable resources such as oil and gas. Estimates of the average savings from various energy efficient renovations can be found on the websites of utility companies, Natural Resources Canada, and others. In addition, it is estimated that energy efficient home renovations can save up to 3 Tons of carbon emissions annually (source: CBC, The National, 2/5/2007). Finally, while kitchens and bathroms may still offer a good investment return on home valuation, increasingly realtors are reporting that prospective home buyers are asking about a home’s energy effi
