Your home renovations
Whether you're planning a renovation, or own an older home, if you're really serious about reducing your utility bills, here's your chance to cash in on significant energy savings opportunities.
We know that undertaking home improvements can be challenging enough without trying to incorporate new energy efficiency ideas at the same time. One Day provides the inspiration and information for you to renovate your house today so you can have a cleaner, greener, healthier home tomorrow.
Consult these guides for your reno project
A typical remodel involves a dizzying array of choices, but help is here. The City of Vancouver Green Home renovation guide series covers common remodeling topics, giving helpful hints on materials and strategies to create a home that's healthy, saves money, and is easy on the environment. The guides are available online in pdf format.
Access rebates with an energy assessment
The first step in accessing federal government rebates for home energy improvements is to book an energy assessment. To find out more about the rebates or current financing options for your home energy improvements, visit our incentive programs page.
Visit sustainablebuildingcentre.com
Light House can help you make your home renovations healthy and green. Their online services provide information and referrals for building products or green building professionals.
Build smart with this online tool
Metro Vancouver's online directory features approximately 1200 green building and business products and 500 services that are readily available in the Lower Mainland. The information presented is independent and self-proclaimed by the manufacturer or service provider, unless the product/service is third –party certified. It is up to the user to verify the validity of the claims.
Do your homework
Websites can provide practical information about a wide variety of home improvements.
- Check out the City of Vancouver's Green Renovation Guide series which covers common remodeling topics, gives helpful hints on materials and strategies to create a home that's healthy, saves money, and is easy on the environment.
- Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offer helpful hints like recommending that when you replace your furnace, you also invest in a new variable-speed fan motor at the same time.
- The US Green Building Council's The Green Home Guide is an excellent source of green information and tools.
- BC Hydro's website has downloadable Power Smart Tip sheets and online videos to help you with your job. Particulally useful videos demonstrate how to add and upgrade insulation and how to draft proof your home.
- CHMC's Renovating for Energy Savings fact sheets describe energy saving options for houses of specific styles and age.
- NRCan offers information booklets on topics such as moisture problems, improving window energy efficiency, air-leakage control and residential lighting.
Ask the experts, selecting a contractor
One of the biggest challenges in starting home energy improvements is finding a contractor you can trust.
The lowest bid is not always your best option. A quality contractor is more likely to provide quality work and get the job done right the first time. In addition to the advice offered in these links, make a point of asking contractors about their experience in energy-efficient renovations and whether they, and their subcontractors, use Energy Star equipment and materials.
- The Get It in Writing website outlines what you need to know about hiring a contractor
- The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Council's CMHC general guidelines can help you choose a contractor. Website information can be downloaded or ordered
- Professional associations such as Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada and Siding and Window Dealers Association of Canada also help you find a suitable and qualified contractor
Most likely you'll need a building permit for your renovation. For permit inquiries contact the City of Vancouver at 604.873.7611.
