If summer in Saskatoon is feeling hotter than usual because your air conditioning isn’t functioning as well as it used to or if you feel indoor drafts every time there’s an outdoor breeze, it may be time to do some energy efficiency upgrades.
Upgrades can save you money, make your home more comfortable and healthy, and reduce your environmental impact, says Amber Weckworth, manager of climate, strategy, and data for the City of Saskatoon.
Many renovations are fairly simple and can be managed by homeowners, who make up more than 70 per cent of Saskatoon’s population, according to 2021 StatCan census data.
And greener homes are appealing. A 2023 Canadian Home Builders Association survey found four of the top ten most-desired home features for potential buyers relate to energy efficiency. “People are really interested in an energy-efficient home,” says Weckworth.
But suppose retrofitting some of your home energy systems is overwhelming. In that case, there are a few simple steps to get started, says Matthew Dipple, P.Eng, principal of Airtight Engineering Inc., based in Saskatchewan.
Dipple says he would categorize retrofits into two main areas: shallow and deep. Shallow energy efficiency changes include switching out incandescent lights for LED versions or air-drying clothing instead of using a dryer.
Deep retrofits are costlier and may require some changes to a home’s infrastructure, but will save homeowners money over time, as well as make the structure’s systems work more efficiently, he says.
It’s easy to get started. Weckworth recommends Saskatoon residents take advantage of the city’s Energy Map, to get a sense of their home’s current energy usage and where improvements need to be made. A home energy audit will also give residents a detailed look at what should be addressed and is necessary to receive a home energy loan.
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Dipple says it’s often best to begin by focusing on the “envelope” of the home. By that, he means the shell of the home, like its exterior or walls or attic, rather than starting with something like a new furnace or air conditioner.
“Sometimes, people are excited about something like solar panels or a new furnace. Those are good things, too, but the nice thing about focusing on the envelope is it’s going to last a lot longer and it’ll also ensure better comfort.”
Beginning with the envelope often means getting an airtightness test to see where leaks are in the home, which is always completed during a home energy audit.
Both Dipple and Weckworth say addressing air sealing is one of the top energy efficiency retrofits homeowners can do and, as a bonus, it’s one of the least expensive.
Dipple says improving sealing can be as simple as replacing weather stripping around doors to more complicated measures including sealing around a chimney or plumbing stack where a professional contractor should be called — but it’s definitely worth it, as improving sealing can save 14 to 28 per cent of a home’s energy use.
Upgrading windows is also high on the list for many homeowners. New windows are aesthetically pleasing and they can also increase energy savings up to eight per cent, says Dipple. He recommends new windows if a home is older.
“If you’ve got a 1950s house with the original single-pane windows or even 1980s double-panes … you will have a comfort benefit, as well as an energy savings.”
For homeowners who are looking at several upgrades, he advises doing them in an order that makes sense, rather than all at once or choosing an upgrade that could wait.
The City of Saskatoon’s energy map has a Renovation Roadmap Tool that lays out all the suggested retrofits, along with their cost, energy savings, and paybacks that can help residents decide which to start with and which could be deferred till later.
“Instead of saying, ‘I’m going to update all my windows and get a new furnace and get a new water heater, but I only have enough money for mid-efficiency versions of each,’ we would say replace the windows with high-efficiency versions and defer the water heater and furnace to a later date. You want to do one or two things really well,” says Dipple.
Dipple recommends householders keep an awareness of the energy sector because it’s constantly evolving and improving.
Energy efficiency retrofits can also be eligible for the city’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), says Weckworth, which provides low-interest loans of up to $60,000 for upgrades to reduce water use, boost energy efficiency, or install greener infrastructure. They can also apply for a Canada Greener Homes Loan to receive up to $40,000 in an interest-free loan through the federal government.
The City of Saskatoon also has a webpage of other helpful home energy upgrade information, including a Solar Map, in which residents can find out their roof’s solar energy potential.
Taking these steps can really help homeowners in a number of ways, says Weckworth.
“These retrofits will eventually save you money, so in the short and long term you’re going to have energy savings and money savings — and a more comfortable home,” says Weckworth.
