Walking through any Peterborough neighbourhood, you’ll find homes that have undertaken an energy retrofit – though it takes some practice to know what you’re looking for (or you might not notice anything at all).
Some, like wall and attic insulation, or improved airtightness, might be completely invisible from the outside, but lead to greatly improved comfort and lower bills inside the home.
Photo credit: Gabe Rivett-Carnac/EnviroCentre
Attic insulation
Attic insulation is generally one of the easiest upgrades to tackle, and many homeowners have chosen to do this first– if you have a flat ceiling and an attic hatch, then it can be over and done within a day without too much disruption. If you’ve already done an attic insulation upgrade, but it happened years ago, it might be worth talking a look to see if it could use another top up. Today’s building code requires at least R50 in attics, which is 14” to 18” of blown-in insulation, depending on the type.
Heat pumps
Something you will spot more and more walking around town are heat pumps, usually located around the sides or backs of homes where you might normally see an air conditioner. You can learn to recognize the shape, which is typically square or rectangular, with a fan that blows out horizontally (though other models do exist). Over the last several years, heat pumps have been one of the most popular upgrades Peterborough homeowners have undertaken, and you’ll find one on almost any street in town.
Exterior insulation
You might notice a home that has new siding, and this could be a sign that the homeowner has opted for new exterior wall insulation. When replacing siding, there is a great opportunity to bring insulation levels up to current code levels, or beyond by adding a layer of foam board insulation underneath the new siding.
Home energy assessment
It’s possible on your walk you’ll encounter a door that is open, the doorway covered with a red tarp with a fan in it. It’s not an exterminator – it’s a blower door, and this means the homeowner is getting their home tested for airtightness. Airtightness improvements are also generally invisible, but can make the greatest difference for homeowners, by eliminating drafts, improving winter humidity levels and closing entryways for pests.
Photo credit: Gabe Rivett-Carnac/EnviroCentre
Solar panels
Finally, take a look at the roofline as you pass by, and you’ll be surprised at how many solar panels peer into view. They’re generally located on the south and east sides of the roof, so in some cases they may be on the backs of homes.
While you can get some clues from the exterior of a home, energy retrofits generally aren’t flashy – the proof of them comes in the comfort inside the home, and the low energy bills these homeowners enjoy!
Curious about what’s right for your home?
Every home is different, and the best retrofit plan depends on your home’s age, structure, and condition. A home energy assessment is a great first step—it identifies where your home is losing energy and offers personalized recommendations to improve it.
Reach out to our Energy Coach today to find out how the Better Homes Peterborough Loan Program can help you increase the comfort of your home.