What is an energy-efficient home? An energy-efficient home would be categorized as a home that uses less energy or that uses energy responsibly. Building codes have changed in the last two decades in order to make newly constructed homes more energy efficient. Buying an energy-efficient home or upgrades to an existing home will enhance comfort and help save on utility …
As Canadians, one of the largest expenses comes from heating our homes in the winter months. In older homes which are poorly insulated this may come at an even larger expense. That is why it is imperative that we maintain our HVAC systems. Most furnaces are going to be fuelled by natural gas; fewer are fueled by oil and electricity …
Cold rooms were designed to be underground, typically under a porch, and their purpose is to be cold enough to store preserves and other food. Since they are below a porch, they are technically underground spaces that are on the exterior of a home, hence they have no insulation but do have ventilation to allow for air exchange. The way …
Wood has been used as a primary heating source by humans for eons. Now, wood burning systems are mostly used as a secondary heat source or to create a cozy environment. There are many different types of wood burning systems and each one has its own unique characteristics. In this post, we will concentrate on two types of wood-burning systems, …
Fitted carpets have been used in houses for many years as they offer warmth and soft flooring material for family members to walk on. Carpet is a magnet for allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and other potentially aggravating proteins. Allergens are antigens, typically proteins, that provoke allergic reactions like coughing and sneezing in people with hypersensitive immune …
Why Are Sump Pumps Installed? Sump pumps are installed in homes as part of a system that removes excess water from the foundation of the house. Sump pumps will typically be installed during the construction of a home but in some cases are installed after a house has had flooding or water penetration issues. During the construction of a house, …
Creating a healthy living environment begins in your home. Air quality and environmental hazards are something that many of us take for granted. If you don’t know what to look for then you may not know what to fix. What is the Healthy Home Audit? Our Healthy Home Audit was designed to help homeowners identify potential environmental health risks and …
What is Radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that is found naturally in the environment. Radon is formed from the breakdown of uranium, found in soil, rock and groundwater. Radon gas is inert, colorless and odorless, and is found in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Most radon exposure occurs …
What do allergies have to do with the HVAC system? Allergies are a very common thing with many people of all ages but most are attributed to food and nature. What about the environment in our home? Multiple allergens can be found inside a home. These include mould, dust mites, pet dandruff, cockroaches, mice, etc. All these can play a …
In our industry, we deal first hand with many real estate listings that have the headline “completely renovated from top to bottom”. When you’re dealing with a home that is of some age and has gone through a major renovation you need to ask the following questions: Were structural alterations done on this property? Were the necessary permits pulled. Were …
