Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report

Yesterday we did something cool, we had a guy from City Green Solutions come out to the house and do an Energy Efficiency Evaluation.

We decided to do this because of the age of the home, knowing there would be the eventual need to upgrade appliances, windows and heating systems, insulation etc. If you make any energy upgrades before March 31 2013 you can get part of the cost back from the BC government, and we like getting money back for things. But money wasn't the only reason, we liked the idea that we could lower our energy consumption, energy bills, greenhouse gas consumption and improve our indoor home for our families health.

So the inspector does two visits, the pre-retrofit assessment and the post-retrofit assessment. Pretty simple. During the pre-retrofit assessment, the inspector conducts a blower door fan test to find where you are losing heat and let you know how to fix it. That was fun. He/she will also check the efficiency of your home’s windows, doors, insulation, space heating and hot water system, and check for possible moisture or ventilation issues, including testing for carbon monoxide and other back-draft gas risks in your home.

The house isn't the most efficient, it was built in the 70s so what can we expect, it hasn't aged like a fine bottle of wine. But it didn't do too bad in the scheme of things, we scored a 58...

... which is just below the average (59) for a home built in the 1970s. 

Yippee, although nothing to get excited about.

Most homes built today rate between 80-90, that is the super duper energy efficient homes. 

We received an evaluation report with recommendations on how to improve our efficiency. Which included:

• replace windows- on our radar, but not a priority,
• upgrade furnace to an energy star system- not going to happen soon,
• install heat pump- also not going to happen soon (these last two earn some big brownie points for energy rating though),
• upgrade crawl space and attic insulation- crawl space on the to-do list,
• back seal light switches and power outlets- can do,
• replace hot water tank to a tank less instant hot water system- would love to, but not going to happen soon.

If only we had giant wads of cash laying around... so some of the recommendations will get done, but not the big ticket items. But it was kind of cool to do and will be neat to see what the rating change is between our pre and post energy assessments.

Why did we choose City Green? Because they are the only non-profit organization offering energy assessments for the LiveSmart BC program in our province. I didn't want to choose a for-profit company as they would do the assessment and then turn around and try sell us on using their contractors etc for any upgrades we chose or needed to do. And because I too work for a non-profit organisation and I like they way City Green related to my own ethics.

I would recommend these guys to a friend if you are looking for an energy assessment. Mark, our inspector was very nice and professional and didn't mess around, getting right to his work and explaining things as he went along.

LiveSmart BC also has 15 FREE actions we can all do to lower our energy consumption, how many are you doing?

(I am not getting anything in return for the above recommendation, I just wanted to share my thoughts on City Green and offer my opinion).

Possession, it is now all ours.

It was like Christmas morning when you were a kid, the waiting for Santa to drop down the chimney and leave all sorts of goodies. Only it was June 2012, the month summer forgot.

The day finally arrived, finally... (yep I meant to put that word in there twice!) after 2 and 1/2 months of waiting for the keys to our new home. Now our minds are racing with all of the exciting prospects. You see, we purchased our first real home- not one with shared walls, common space, horrible strata fees and crazy neighbours (yet to be determined). A real detached house that is all ours! 

Yeah, home.

We couldn't be more thrilled.

The perfect place to raise our little family. It is going to be great. The yard is massive, the neighbourhood so peaceful, it's close to work, around the corner from an awesome school, close to everything. 

The massive yard!

Yippee!

But before we move in we have to de-70s the place.

You see it is a 70s dream. Complete with green shag pile carpets, two different types of wood paneling, and wall paper, oh yes wall paper. Wall paper in about a thousand different patterns! Oh and I must not forget that dreaded popcorn ceiling.

Love the fireplace. not so much the carpet.

Hmm, wood paneling...

Left, grey textured wall paper, middle, floral wallpaper,
right, vinyl wood look concertina door.

The perfect place for Jeff to get to work with his tools. Marrying a carpenter, with a plumbing background and skills as a gas fitter is now going to come in handy. But that's not the only thing he is good for... he is also an awesome dad to our two rug-rats, and my bestie.

Oh, and a good place for me to put my creativity into as well. Look out Martha, I am a DYI dreamer, a Pinterest addict, and I am going to go nuts on the decorating. I can't wait. My sewing machine is going to get a workout.

I am a list writer too, I do to-do list! No, I love to-do lists, I always write a few to-dos down that are already complete just for the satisfaction of crossing a few off to begin with. Our to-do lists are now GIGANTIC. Jeff's a little anxious- you see he works full time, then will be coming home to renovate. I am not yet back at work from my mat leave ( one month too go!) so I will be visiting the house each day to attempt to cross some stuff off the to-do list. Which is hard to accomplish with a 3 and 1/2 yr old and an 11 month old baby.

We decided to write this blog as way to share with our friends and family our attempts to renovate. We plan on including tips, tricks and DYI marvels as we progress. It should also give my writing mind a chance to empty itself at the end of the day, maybe allowing me the opportunity to go to sleep before 1 or 2 am, drain that brain so to speak.

Please wish us luck, patience, advice, suggestions, and of course, feel free to donate some sweat equity as we embark on our tasks of making our 70s house our home sweet home.