Energy Efficient Home HVAC and Electrical in Gravenhurst, Ontario
Did you know that energy usage in Canada has drastically changed since 2019? Pre-pandemic life involved regular school attendance, brick and mortar offices, quick morning routines, late night routines and, most of all, predictability in how the average person consumes energy on a daily basis.
The focus on energy efficiency in the home wasn’t nearly as prominent as it became in 2020, when a State of Emergency and lockdown orders came into effect.
Did you know that when the pandemic began initially, there was actually a decrease in average electricity consumption within certain provinces, including Alberta and British Columbia. However, Ontario actually saw a 2% increase in residential peak demand (according to IESO data from March 2020 - June 2020).
Now that Canada is now in its second summer of COVID-19’s “new norm”, energy usage has continued to change dramatically.
During the heat of summer, when homeowners are now experiencing the hottest parts of the day within their homes (instead of at work/school), air conditioning is a MUST! The majority of homeowners run their air conditioner off a nonrenewable energy source though.
In addition, as fall approaches and homeowners gear up for another cold winter spent in their home offices, winter residential peak demand has a high chance of increasing! Did you know that winter residential peak demand has climbed 13% higher than pre-pandemic levels?
This is the year homeowners need to start improving their home’s energy efficiency!
Because work patterns, lifestyle patterns and day-to-day routines have seen such drastic changes since the onset of the pandemic, it can be difficult to forecast the overall power demand over the next year. But it is up to us to ensure that we are doing our part in lowering this demand, increasing our energy security, reducing pollution and initiating the use of renewable energy sources.
What are some tangible ways that you can lower your energy bills, consume less energy and help protect the environment at home this year?
Energy Efficient Air Conditioner Solutions
With Ontario experiencing such high temperatures over the past couple of years, air conditioners are no longer a question - they are a MUST! But with air conditioning comes expensive energy bills, a higher energy demand and a likely increase in air pollution.
How do you prevent this from happening while still lowering the temperature of your home and improving your home comfort? By focusing on lowering your energy consumption and using a renewable energy source to cool your home!
But how do you know which energy efficient air conditioner system is best?
One of Chip’s recent blog posts actually breaks down the differences between Central Air Conditioning and Geothermal Air Conditioning to help our customers better understand their needs and options. However, without reading this article, we can tell you one thing for certain - if lowering your energy consumption is your main goal, then a geothermal air conditioner is your best AC solution!
A geothermal air conditioner is the cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to central air conditioning. Regardless of where you live (ie. a cottage in Muskoka vs. a home in Bracebridge) geothermal HVAC technology actually has the ability to keep your home cool in summer while also being healthy for the environment - all at a reduced cost!
You can read more about why geothermal is the best energy efficient air conditioner HERE.
Gravenhurst Geothermal Cooling Units By WaterFurnace
- 7 Series - Ultimate In Luxury
- 5 Series - Flagship, Upscale Comfort
- 3 Series - Great Value
- NSW Series - Hydronic Geothermal Boiler
- Synergy 3D - Forced Air/Hydronic Combo Unit
Why Choose Geothermal Cooling?
Energy Efficient Furnace Solution
Did you know that heating is usually the largest expense in a home? It can account for 35-50% of your annual energy bill!
Although you probably don’t want to be thinking about heating in the middle of August, now is the time to start looking at your options in order to ensure that you are making the right choice for you, your family, your budget AND for the environment. Why? Because lowering the energy demands brought on by your heating usage is actually one of the most beneficial ways that you can help preserve and protect the environment!
The best energy efficient heating system that we offer is our geothermal heating units. Our geothermal HVAC units actually operate using the solar energy stored within the earth. Instead of transferring heat with the outdoor air, these HVAC systems actually exchange heat with the heat energy in the ground using an underground piping network.
At Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric, we supply our homeowners with WaterFurnace Geothermal HVAC Units. Did you know that when you install a WaterFurnace system, it is the equivalent of planting 750 trees or removing two cars from the road?
Gravenhurst Geothermal Cooling Units By WaterFurnace
- 7 Series - Ultimate In Luxury
- 5 Series - Flagship, Upscale Comfort
- 3 Series - Great Value
- NSW Series - Hydronic Geothermal Boiler
- Synergy 3D - Forced Air/Hydronic Combo Unit
Energy Efficient Air Quality Solutions
Outdoor air quality has been a topic of discussion and active concern for centuries and indoor air quality has always been one of our top priorities at Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric. However, homeowners did not begin to have major concerns about their home’s indoor air quality until just recently (namely, the start of the pandemic).
Thankfully, when you install a geothermal HVAC system, you can lower the risk of both poor indoor and outdoor air quality. How? Geothermal heating! This form of heating does not require fossil fuels in order to operate!
With geothermal heating, there is zero:
- Combustion
- Flame
- Fumes
- Chand of carbon-monoxide poisoning
If you have a regular furnace or air conditioner - such as a ductless heating pump or central heating unit - then you could be releasing harmful fumes and particulate matter into the air. We recommend a proper air duct cleaning, replacing your furnace filters, scheduling regular HVAC maintenance appointments etc. in order to protect your health if this is the case.
General Homeowner Tips For Lowering Energy Consumption:
Once you begin to understand the regular use, consumption and OVER-consumption of energy within your home, making the necessary changes in designing a more energy-efficient home becomes a lifestyle, rather than a one-time fix.
Here are several more updates that you can make to your home and lifestyle choices in order to continue reducing your energy footprint:
Insulation
Did you know that insulation is one of the most beneficial ways of preserving energy and aiding in temperature control in your home? Before you install a new heating and cooling system in your home, consider lowering your heating requirements by improving your insulation.
During the summer months, you need to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. In winter, you need to do the opposite - keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Having a well-insulated home can help you achieve both of these goals while also saving energy and improving your overall comfort - in both summer and winter!
Windows & Doors
What you didn’t know about your home’s windows and doors…
¼ of your home’s total heat loss during our frigid winter months is due to poorly sealed windows and doors.
⅓ of the heat coming into our home during the summer is due to sunshine leaking through the cracks in these areas as well.
How To Seal Your Windows & Doors Without Replacing Them:
- Rope Caulking
- Weatherstripping
- Storm Windows
- Weatherproofing
- Reglazing Window Panes
Lighting
It’s time to change out your light bulbs for LEDs!
These energy efficient light bulbs actually use 25-80% LESS ENERGY and last 3-35 times longer than the traditional light bulb. Not only does this reduce your energy consumption and save you the hassle of replacing light bulbs on a consistent basis, but it can also save you money!
Click HERE For our Gravenhurst Electrical Services
Hot Water Usage
How many of your home appliances are using hot water on a daily basis?
Average Daily Water Usage Per Appliance:
Washing Machine - uses 25 gallons per use
Shower - uses 10 gallons per use
Bathroom Faucet - uses 2 gallons per minute
Kitchen Faucet - uses 2 gallons per minute
Dishwasher - uses 6 gallons per use
Although it can be difficult to lower your hot water usage without simply not using these appliances, there are some practices and minor fixes you can make in order to help lower your hot water usage
- Be mindful of the hot water you are using and reduce the amount you are wasting unnecessarily.
- Fix leaks
- Install low-flow fixtures
- Install energy efficient appliances
Click HERE for our Gravenhurst Plumbing Services
Contact Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric Today To Start Upgrading Your To Be More Energy Efficient
Contact Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric today!
Canada’s Greener Home’s GRANT Opportunity
Under Canada’s new Greener Home’s GRANT, homeowners are eligible to receive fund reimbursements of up to $600 for the cost of pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations and up to $5,000 for the implementation of the eligible retrofits.
Not sure if Geothermal Cooling is the right air conditioning solution for your home, cottage or commercial location? Learn More from our Gravenhurst Geothermal HVAC experts!
Not sure what your next steps are in designing an energy efficient home? Contact our team today to learn more about your options: