Energy Efficiency for Savings and Comfort

Purchasing a home represents the single largest investment most families will make in their lifetime. It can be a daunting task, with numerous things to consider, ranging from location to finances, and whether to purchase a resale or new home. But in the end, your new home must be affordable, durable, comfortable, and in this day and age, energy efficient.

Gone are the days when we had to close doors of bitter cold rooms and sacrifice living space, feel the damp, unwelcoming chill of a basement, or watch our children battle seasonal allergies even when inside the home. Today’s new homes are designed and built to improve your quality of life, and best of all save you hard-earned money along the way.

It all starts with the home’s building envelope. The higher the insulation levels and the better the air barriers, the more energy efficiency there is in a home. When you’re searching for a home, make sure you stop to ‘feel’ it. Does it feel drafty, or like the temperature is vastly different from one area to the next? Or does it feel more like you and your family will be wrapped in a huge warm blanket to keep cozy and warm all winter? In addition to feeling better, a home with improved levels of insulation means more useable living space – for that private home office, play room for the kids or even the family home theatre.

Be sure to make windows a priority – not only do they offer incredible views and allow for bright and glowing open spaces, but also the right windows can reduce heat buildup in the summer and heat loss in the winter. This will result in year-round savings. Good windows can even block unwanted noise.

And while windows work away at keeping the indoor temperature in check, an improved ventilation system in your home – a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), for example – will ensure that you’re efficiently exchanging the stale indoor air with fresh outside air to allow you and your children to breathe easier and feel healthier.

Whether you’re searching for a new build, a resale home or even looking to improve energy conservation in your current home, there are many options to consider. A programmable thermostat allows you to pre-set home temperatures to suit your schedule. LED light bulbs will reduce energy consumption costs and last much longer than standard compact fluorescent lights. There are also numerous water conservation methods to consider, like low-flow faucets and shower heads, and dual flush toilets. And a rain water harvesting barrel can capture and store rainwater to be used for things like irrigation and washing your car.

You want the best for your family – the perfect new community, with the finest home finishes and the perfect amount of space to either grow or downsize. You also need to consider comfort. Think about the health of your family, your quality of life and the return on your investment. Be sure to ask for guidance from knowledgeable professionals.

As an Energy Star for New Homes builder, Sifton Properties builds new homes that are 25 to 30 per cent better than standard building code homes, and believes in delivering high-performance homes with tried and true energy saving features, ensuring your new living environment will be comfortable in every way.