Considering the average temperatures and average utilities costs in Montreal, making your home more energy efficient should be your priority. This will not only save you money but also help reduce your carbon footprint. The changes you can make to increase the energy efficiency vary greatly. Therefore, everyone can find a few solutions that fit within their budget. But if you start small, be sure to start planning and saving to install energy-efficient equipment in the future because this is what saves you more money in the long run.
5 Cheap and Not-So-Cheap Ways to Make Your Montreal Home More Energy Efficient
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Install a heat pump
A heat pump is by no means a cheap solution. However, it can cut your energy bills in half. Do some calculations to determine how fast you will be able to pay off this particular tool and start reaping the benefits it offers.
You can look up various government programs that can help you get a loan for this kind of home upgrade.
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Use drapes as strategic weapons
Note that unlike Scandinavian design, which uses any type of window coverings rarely, drapes actually play an important role for the interior design in Montreal. The reason is that you can use them to not only enhance the look of the interior but also to reduce your energy bills. This will be one of the cheapest methods to achieve this.
The trick to using drapes is to have two sets of them. One should be heavy, non-transparent, and preferably dark and reflective on the side turned to the window. This type of drape will help to keep the hot/cool air inside and prevent cold/heat from getting into the building. You’ll need to use light transparent drapes to make the most of the natural sunlight. Note that it can not only provide you with light but also let your home warm up a bit on a cold but sunny winter day.
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Upgrade your windows
Regardless of the insulation you have, your home loses about 30% of its energy through the windows. Therefore, replacing or upgrading your windows should be one of the first things you do in order to improve energy efficiency.
Replacement with the most advanced energy-saving windows is the best way. However, if you can’t afford this now, you can start with a few affordable upgrades. Start with a thorough examination to find any cracks. Then, proceed to fix those cracks and install insulation around the window. Drapes will come in handy in this case as well. You can also cover your windows with some plastic wrap. It won’t interfere with the view much but it can help you conserve energy and to actually keep the pleasantly warm air inside.
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Upgrade your appliances
One of the most effective ways to cut your energy bills is installing the most energy-efficient appliances you can find. Looking for them won’t be difficult as you can find all relevant information from Energy Star.
These appliances are expensive and their installation might not qualify for loan approval. Therefore, you might need to make this upgrade gradually.
Note that it’s not only electrical appliances that you should consider replacing to save on electricity. You can also replace your showerheads and toilets with items that can help you conserve water.
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Reorganize your space
Energy efficiency is something you should consider when working on the interior design for a home in Montreal. The placement of your furniture is particularly important for this as it’s essential that you remove any of the pieces from standing directly in front of the heat sources. Don’t forget that this includes vents as well.
You should also place your furniture in a way that will enable you to make the best use of the few hours of sunlight that you get.
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