In some cases, going green means taking public transit, recycling and using portable coffee mugs — when it comes to your home, your green changes will need to be much bigger. If you want your home to be eco-friendly, you should think about using windows to stop wasting energy and to reduce your carbon footprint.
According to Natural Resources Canada, windows can account for up to twenty-five percent of a property’s energy loss — this specifically relates to the energy spent heating and cooling the home. Air leaks from windows are a major problem during colder and hotter times of the year because it leads to more energy waste, expensive bills and irregular indoor temperatures. One green way that you can solve this problem is to get new energy efficient windows to replace your old, drafty ones. Here at Casa Bella Windows & Doors, we have window options with better energy ratings than the current Energy Star requirements, so that they are guaranteed to make a difference in your home.
Replacing all of the windows in your house might feel like a costly commitment, even when you know that the results to your carbon footprint will be remarkable. You don’t have to be anxious or concerned about your finances because you can get money back from upgrading your windows when you take part in the provincial government’s newest rebate program called the Green Ontario Fund. The fund offers rebates to homeowners who have recently invested in green home renovations like energy-efficient windows, insulation, smart thermostats and ground-source heat pumps. The program exists to prepare for the environmental impacts of climate change and to reward residents that are trying to make their homes eco-friendly, energy efficient and ethically responsible.
If you are eligible for the Green Ontario Fund, you can get five hundred dollars per window and receive up to five thousand dollars total for your entire energy-efficient window renovation. After you have finished getting your old windows replaced, your contractor can submit the rebate application on your behalf. All you have to do is validate that the improvement was completed and then submit your proof of purchase to receive your rebate in a few months’ time. If you are considering applying for Green Ontario Fund rebates for new energy-efficient windows, you will have to meet the following rules and requirements in order to qualify:
- The windows have to be certified for National Resources Canada’s Climate Zone 3.
- The windows must have a U-factor at or below 4 W/m2•K or 0.25 Btu/h•ft.2•°F.
- They must be brick-to-brick installations, meaning that the installations replace existing windows.
- The replacements must be categorized as Most Efficient Energy Star Windows.
- They must be purchased from and installed by a contractor that is participating in the program, like Casa Bella Windows & Doors.
You can also make your home greener by upgrading your entrance doors so that they are more energy-efficient. Old low-quality windows are vulnerable spots that can allow drafts into a home — the same problem occurs with doors that are old, improperly installed or made with low-quality materials. There are energy-efficient options for brilliant sliding patio doors and elegant garden doors for back entrances. You can also have front entrance doors made of fiberglass or steel, which are two materials that provide incredible insulation and protection. While these renovations don’t apply to the rebates offered by the Green Ontario Fund, you will still find that they are beneficial when it comes to your carbon footprint and your monthly hydro bills.
Making your home a greener space does not mean that you have to get extravagant solar panel installations on your roof. You can quickly transform your home by replacing your windows with high-performance upgrades and sealing vulnerable entrances from air leaks.
