With rising energy costs and environmental concerns, it’s essential to make our homes as energy-efficient as possible. Insulation plays a crucial role in this effort, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer. Below are detailed home insulation tips for improving home insulation.

1. Understanding Insulation Types

• Fiberglass Insulation: Commonly found in batts or rolls, fiberglass insulation is made from fine glass fibers. It’s suitable for insulating attics, walls, and floors. Ensure it’s properly installed without gaps to maximize its effectiveness.
• Spray Foam: This type expands to fill nooks and crannies, creating an airtight seal. It’s ideal for sealing gaps around windows, doors, and in attic spaces. However, it’s more expensive than fiberglass and usually requires professional installation.
• Rigid Foam Boards: These boards add high insulation value with minimal thickness, making them perfect for exterior wall sheathing or basement walls. They can be cut to fit specific spaces and are excellent for DIY projects.
• Reflective Insulation: Made from aluminum foil and polyethylene bubbles, reflective insulation is best suited for reducing heat gain in hot climates. It reflects radiant heat, keeping homes cooler.

2. Attic Insulation

• The attic is a primary source of heat loss. Inspect the existing insulation. If it’s level with or below your floor joists, you probably need to add more.
• Consider the type of insulation best suited for your attic. Loose-fill or batt insulation can be used, and it’s vital to achieve the recommended R-value (a measure of insulation effectiveness) for your area.
• Insulate the attic door with an insulated cover or weatherstripping to prevent drafts.

3. Sealing Windows and Doors

• Check for drafts around windows and doors. Use a candle or incense stick to locate air leaks.
• Apply weather stripping around movable components and caulk around non-moving parts.
• Install door sweeps on the bottom of doors to seal the gap.
• During winter, consider using plastic film kits to add an extra layer of insulation on windows.

4. Pipe Insulation

• Insulating hot water pipes prevents heat loss and can reduce the cost of heating water. Foam pipe insulation is easy to install and can be cut to fit.
• Pay special attention to pipes in unheated spaces like basements or garages.
• Insulating cold water pipes can prevent them from freezing in winter.

5. Upgrading Windows

• Double-glazed or triple-glazed windows provide much better insulation than single-pane windows.
• Look for windows with low-emissivity (low-E) glass, which reflects infrared energy (heat) and reduces heat loss.
• If replacing windows is not feasible, using thermal or insulated curtains can help reduce heat loss.

6. Wall Insulation

• Wall insulation can be challenging, especially in older homes. Consider blown-in insulation for existing walls, which involves minimal disturbance to the structure.
• For new construction or major renovations, batt or foam board insulation provides excellent thermal performance.
• Pay attention to areas like garages or basements, where walls are often under-insulated.

7. Rebates and Grants

In Ontario, there are several rebate programs available to help homeowners improve their home insulation and energy efficiency. These programs are designed to encourage energy-saving home upgrades and can significantly offset the cost of insulation and other energy-efficient renovations.

1. Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+)

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program is a collaboration between Enbridge Gas and the Government of Canada’s Greener Homes Grant. This program offers substantial rebates for various home energy retrofits, including insulation upgrades:

• Rebates for Enbridge Gas Customers: If you are an Enbridge Gas customer, you may be eligible for up to $10,000 in rebates for home insulation upgrades.
• Non-Enbridge Gas Customers: If you’re not an Enbridge Gas customer, you can still qualify for up to $5,000 in rebates.
• Energy Assessments: The program typically requires a pre- and post-work energy assessment, completed by an NRCAN-registered energy advisor. This assessment will help identify key areas for improvement in your home and is essential for qualifying for the rebates.

2. Canada Greener Homes Grant

While the Canada Greener Homes Grant is now part of the HER+ program in Ontario, it is still a critical component of the rebate system. This federal initiative offers:

• Grants: Homeowners can receive up to $5,000 for completing energy-efficient retrofit upgrades.
• Energy Assessment Rebates: In addition to the retrofit rebates, participants can also receive up to $600 to offset the cost of their EnerGuide home evaluations.

3. Additional Programs

• CMHC Green Home Refund: This program offers a partial refund (up to 25%) on the cost of energy efficiency renovations, calculated as a portion of the mortgage insurance premiums.
• City of Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP): This program is an alternative to conventional financing, where homeowners enter into an agreement with the City of Toronto to perform home improvements.

How to Qualify

• Eligibility: To determine your eligibility for these programs, you will need to consider the type of home you have, your location, and whether you are an Enbridge Gas customer.
• Steps for Qualification: Generally, the process involves completing an energy assessment, implementing recommended upgrades, and then scheduling a follow-up assessment to qualify for the rebates.

For more information on these programs and how to apply, you can visit the official websites of Enbridge Gas and Great Northern Insulation, or contact Mas Air Home Comfort.

Click here to know more about: Attic Insulation in Mississauga, Ontario

Home Insulation Company Toronto

Mas Air Home Comfort is the top choice for heating, cooling, and insulation in Greater Toronto. We specialize in both commercial and residential projects. Our services are renowned in the surrounding areas. We strive to offer energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home. Our goal is to ensure a healthy, comfortable, and safe environment for you and your family throughout the year.

Contact us at:

Tel: 1-855-795-1199

Email: [email protected]

Address: 6730 Davand Dr, Unit 8, Mississauga, ON L5T 2K8, Canada