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Arlyne Tiam, Mortgage Broker Durham
Argentum Avanti-Financial 11977 933 Dillingham Rd. Pickering, ON L1W1Z7 Cell: 416 727 4710 Email: arlyne@avanti-financial.com Website: www.avanti-financial.com

ways
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to make your home more energy-efficient

Add insulation. An uninsulated basement in about improving your homes a home can increase annual efficiency, start with an heating costs by 10% to 30%, energy audit by an NRCan- since bare concrete conducts certified energy advisor heat outward. you can search for an advisor in your area at Curb your hot water www.nrcan.gc.ca. Youll use. In a typical get a list of recommended Canadian home, water upgrades to help you plan, heating can account for up and you may qualify to to 20% of total utility costs. receive up to $5,000 in Switch out an older water federal ecoEnergy grants. heater for a more energyAccording to Natural efficient model, or consider Resources Canada, the a new tankless water average retrofit may yield a 30% reduction in energy use. heater that warms water on demand, only as needed.

Conduct an energy audit. If youre serious

Cool down wisely.

By replacing an old window-unit air conditioner in a home or condo with an ENERGY STARqualified model, you can see substantial savings in electricity costs. Modern ENERGY STAR-rated units use 30% to 40% less energy than most models sold 10 to 15 years ago.
Switch to low flow.

Seal up those drafts.

Drafty windows and doors can be a major source of energy loss. If an upgrade isnt currently within your budget, you can still save energy and make your home more comfortable by using simple weather-stripping and caulking as an economical way to reduce air leaks.

youve got an old clunker or hand-me-down appliance in your basement or kitchen, it could cost you hundreds of dollars in extra operating costs over the years. Clothes dryers are about 18% more energy-efficient now than in 1990, and an old Upgrade your refrigerator can consume as heating system. In much energy as four new older homes, the savings over ENERGY STAR-qualified time from installing a new refrigerators. high-efficiency condensing gas furnace may be the best Adjust the heat. investment you can make. Invest in a programmable Talk to a certified heating thermostat control to contractor to help research which heating system is best automatically adjust heating levels. As a general rule, you for your home and climate, will save 2% on your heating and use the search tool at bill for every 1C you turn www.nrcan.gc.ca to find down a thermostat overnight. the handy Home Heating System Cost Calculator.

Replace energysapping appliances. If

Replace an old 18-litreper-flush toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) six-litre-per-flush model and you can achieve a 70% savings in water and cut indoor water use by as much as 30%.

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Look for emerging alternatives.

Consider renewable energy sources, such as adding a solar water heater on your roof or using solar panels to produce household electricity. These options are becoming more affordable. Making your home more energyefficient can reduce your household expenses over time and potentially increase its resale value. If youre thinking about making upgrades, Id be happy to help you explore your financing options.