How to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

As temperatures drop, homeowners across Canada prepare for higher heating bills and the challenges of keeping their houses warm and comfortable. With a few strategic upgrades and preventative steps, you can reduce energy consumption, lower monthly costs, and make your home cozier all winter long. This guide will help you prepare your home with DIY solutions and long-term energy-saving investments before the cold sets in.

Why Energy Efficiency Matters in Winter

Rising Energy Costs

Heating typically accounts for the largest portion of a household's winter utility bill. Improving energy efficiency reduces wasted energy, cuts costs, and protects you against fluctuating fuel prices.

Comfort and Health Benefits

An energy-efficient home is about more than saving money. Fewer drafts, more consistent indoor temperatures, and better indoor air quality all contribute to a healthier living environment.

Environmental Impact

Every kilowatt-hour saved reduces your carbon footprint. Making your home more efficient helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable living.

Step 1: Conduct an Energy Audit

Before tackling upgrades, it helps to know where your home is losing energy.

What Is an Energy Audit?

An energy audit evaluates how your home uses energy and identifies areas where heat escapes. Professional energy auditors use thermal imaging and blower door tests, but homeowners can also perform a basic DIY check.

DIY Energy Checkpoints

• Windows and Doors: Feel for drafts along the edges.
• Attic and Basement: Look for insulation gaps or signs of moisture.
• Heating System: Check filters, ducts, and thermostat accuracy.

Step 2: Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks are one of the biggest sources of heat loss in older homes.

Common Draft Sources

• Window frames
• Door thresholds
• Chimneys and fireplaces
• Electrical outlets and switch plates

Solutions to Stop Drafts

• Weatherstripping: Install foam or rubber strips around windows and doors.
• Caulking: Seal cracks around frames, siding, and baseboards.
• Outlet Gaskets: Inexpensive inserts that reduce air leakage.

Pro Tip: On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick near suspected drafty areas. If the smoke moves, you've found a leak.

Step 3: Upgrade Insulation

Why Insulation Matters

Insulation slows heat transfer, keeping warm air inside during winter and cool air during summer. Without it, even the best heating system will struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures.

Key Areas to Insulate

• Attic: The most effective place to start since heat rises.
• Walls: Especially exterior walls in older homes.
• Basement and Crawlspaces: Prevents cold air from seeping into living areas.

Types of Insulation

• Fibreglass batts. Also referred to as slabs, they are large, compact pieces designed to fit between joists, rafters, and studs. They are affordable and easy to install.
• Blown-in cellulose. An eco-friendly insulation made from recycled paper and wood products, and treated for fire and pest resistance. Installed by a special machine, blown-in cellulose is ideal for filling gaps and crevices where other insulation can't reach. Note: It can settle over time and reduce its R-value, so it's not an ideal DIY solution.
• Spray foam. Created by combining isocyanate with polyol resin, spray foam expands and hardens when applied with specialized equipment. It creates a continuous, air-tight barrier, sealing cracks and gaps. This type of insulation offers excellent thermal resistance and prevents unwanted air infiltration, which makes it a very popular choice.

Step 4: Improve Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are often responsible for 25-30% of heat loss.

Energy-Efficient Windows

• Upgrade to double-pane or triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® certification for optimal efficiency.

Cost-Friendly Alternatives

• Use window insulation film to add an extra barrier.
• Install thermal curtains or blinds to trap heat indoors and maintain a comfortable temperature.
• Apply draft stoppers at the base of doors.

Step 5: Optimize Your Heating System

Furnace and Boiler Maintenance

• Replace filters every 1-3 months.
• Have your system professionally serviced annually.
• Check ductwork for leaks and seal them with foil-backed tape.

Upgrade Options

• Replace your old furnace with a high-efficiency model that uses less fuel.
• Consider a heat pump, which can provide both heating and cooling.

Smart Thermostats for Efficiency

Install a programmable or smart thermostat that allows you to lower the temperature when you're asleep or away, reducing unnecessary energy use.

Step 6: Reduce Heat Loss Through Floors and Walls

Rugs and Carpets

Hardwood or tile floors feel colder in winter and allow heat to escape.  Area rugs add insulation and comfort.

Wall Insulation Strategies

If replacing drywall isn't an option, add decorative wall hangings, bookshelves, or even insulated panels for added warmth.

Step 7: Upgrade Appliances and Lighting

Energy-Efficient Appliances

If your appliances are over 10 years old, upgrading to ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances can make a noticeable difference. Find your next home with upgraded appliances.

LED Lighting

Switching from incandescent to LED bulbs saves energy and reduces excess heat output, which means your HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard.

Step 8: Harness Natural Heat

Maximize Sunlight

Open curtains during the day to let in solar heat and close them at night to retain warmth.

Strategic Furniture Placement

Keep furniture away from radiators and vents to allow heat to circulate freely.

Step 9: Manage Moisture and Ventilation

A tightly sealed home can sometimes trap excess moisture, leading to condensation and mould.

Solutions

• Use ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Consider a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) for balanced airflow.
• Maintain indoor humidity levels between 30 and 50%.

Step 10: Long-Term Investments in Energy Efficiency

If you're planning major renovations or upgrades, consider these long-term strategies:

Solar Panels

Generate renewable energy and potentially sell excess electricity back to the grid.

Energy-Efficient Roofing

Cool or reflective roofing materials reduce heat loss and help regulate temperature.

Exterior Upgrades

• Insulated siding adds protection to homes against the cold.
• Storm doors provide an extra barrier.

Step 11: Small Daily Habits That Save Energy

• Keep doors closed to unused rooms.
• Lower your thermostat when you're away.
• Wear warm clothing indoors to rely less on heating.
• Use ceiling fans and reverse direction to push warm air downward.

You can combine smart upgrades with energy-saving habits and enjoy lower heating bills, a more comfortable living space, and peace of mind knowing your home is ready to face the cold.