Just like a cake is a made of key ingredients to create a delicious bundle, your home is made up of several important components that should work together to keep you comfortable, safe, and dry. Whether you’re baking a cake or building/retrofitting your home, each ingredient or component has a distinct role that must work in tandem with the others. Without taking the other elements into account, the cake won’t rise, impacting the texture and taste. The same applies to a house; if the components don’t complement or consider each other, the comfort of your home will be challenged.
When you’re investing in your home’s energy performance, it’s important to understand the role of different players and how decisions about one can impact the other. Thinking about this interplay is applying a “house-as-a-system” lens and is the best way to make informed decisions for the best results.
Let’s break it down.
The Building Envelope
Your home’s building envelope is all the physical things that protect your house from intrusions like light, water, noise, and chilly breezes: the roof, exterior walls, doors and windows, basement concrete walls, basement floors, headers/rim joists, and overhanging floors. It’s like one big blanket wrapped around your home, separating the inside air from the outside environment. Since your envelope is only as strong as all its pieces, it’s important to look at the “house-as-a-system” from the outset of a retrofit. This approach means when you consider upgrades to one part of the system, like new windows, you should also think about those cracks and gaps where warm air is escaping every minute. It doesn’t matter how warm and fancy your blanket is if your cold toes are poking out!
Insulation
Properly insulating your home has a direct impact on how often your heating/cooling system has to kick on to keep you comfortable in your home. Let’s face it, your Grandma’s crocheted blanket is beautiful, but it’s no match for a cozy comforter on those cool winter nights. If your home’s insulation is outdated or insufficient, replacing or adding more can be a cost-effective way to improve comfort and reduce energy consumption. It’s equally important for you and your contractor to consider how to protect the insulation from moisture that can’t escape – another good example of how different pieces of your envelope have to work together! Materials used for insulation can be derived from natural sources (i.e. blown-in cellulose), synthetic materials (i.e. fibreglass and mineral wool) or fossil fuel products (i.e. polystyrene and spray foam). And in BC, there are rebates available for different insulation types: rolls or batts, blown-in, loose fill, rigid board, and spray foam.
Windows and Doors
Most homes that are being retrofitted today have windows and doors that were installed back when ‘triple-glazed’ was an expression only used to describe a fancy cake. So, swapping those single pane, older versions for energy-efficient and modern models can make a big difference. But again, those doors and windows won’t perform to the best of their ability without proper air sealing around them.
Mechanical Systems
Perhaps the most glamourous upgrades you can make to your home are the heating, cooling and ventilation systems. Upgrading to energy-efficient systems, like a heat pump, can make a big difference in both comfort and energy savings. Mechanical ventilation is also key to maintaining healthy indoor air quality as the airtightness of the home increases, so consider upgrading to a system that balances energy efficiency with fresh air circulation. At this point in the article, it should not be surprising to read that, yes, your mechanical systems are going to have optimal functionality if they are situated within a good building envelope.
Water Heating Systems
Water heating can account for a significant portion of your home’s energy use, especially if you have teenagers. Upgrading to an energy-efficient water heater, such as a heat pump model, can reduce your energy bills and ensure you have hot water when you need it.
Electrical Systems
Don’t overlook your electrical system in your retrofit plan! Installing energy-efficient lighting, like LEDs, and upgrading old appliances can make a big difference in your home’s overall energy use. You might also consider adding renewable energy sources, like solar panels. Depending on where you live, solar panels can lower your utility bills or simply reduce the amount of electricity you buy from your local utility. Find out more here.
Retrofit Assist works with homeowners to provide free expert guidance and access to financing on the journey to a more comfortable and energy efficient home. Contact us for more information.
