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Earth Day April 22
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section includes answers to the most frequently asked questions on our programs, and other topics related to saving energy.
If you have a question that isn't answered below, please contact us at 1-800-670-4636 or at conservens@gov.ns.ca.
Building an Energy Efficient Home
Ventilation for Older Homes
Do I need more ventilation in my house?
It depends on your home and your habits.
Every building can tolerate some moisture before problems begin to occur.
And each household's cooking, bathing, and living habits are different. But if window condensation or mould growth occur frequently, it is time to take action.
Does my existing exhaust fan work?
Hold a garbage bag over the exhaust hood and time how long it takes to inflate the bag.
If it takes more than a few seconds, the fan system needs to be upgraded and/or replaced with a more powerful unit, or the ductwork needs to be improved.
Should I buy a heat recovery ventilator?
Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) are designed for, and work best in, a new home that is air tight. In this type of home, virtually all fresh air is distributed by the HRV.
In an older, leakier home, air continues to enter through cracks and holes, so the heat recovery and fresh air distribution advantages of an HRV are, for the most part, lost.
A less elaborate and expensive central exhaust system can provide enough extra ventilation to control humidity in most older houses.
Ventilation for New Homes
Where do I start?
The amount of ventilation you need can be reduced while still maintaining good indoor air quality if you carefully choose how your home is built, what is put in it, and how it is lived in.
Here are some issues to consider when planning and choosing materials for your home: choose interior building materials and finishes with care; warm up indoor surfaces; and consider the energy effects of your lifestyle.
What type of ventilation system do I need?
All ventilation systems increase a home's heat loss and energy use.
To minimize extra operating costs and maintain good air quality in your new home, build the home air tight and choose a properly ventilation-sized system with heat recovery, an effective distribution system and controls that prevent excessive operation.
Hot Water Answers
How much do I spend heating water?
Heating water for your family's use is more expensive than most people think.
Most four-person households spend from $300 to $500 a year on hot water.
It can cost hundreds of dollars more if you waste it or heat it inefficiently.
Poor water-use habits can more than double the amount of hot water each person uses each day.
Wherever you use water, there is potential for savings.
Where does all that hot water go?
A typical Canadian uses 230 L (50 gal.) of water in the home each day for washing dishes and clothes, personal hygiene, household cleaning, and food preparation.
Almost a third of that amount, 68 L (15 gal.), is hot water.
Reducing your hot water use will benefit both your pocketbook and the environment, since less energy use means less pollution.
Reduced water use may also help to ease seasonal water supply shortages.
How can I reduce my hot water costs?
You can save both energy and water with inexpensive changes like installing low-flow showerheads and aerators, reducing the temperature of hot water, or insulating the water heater or water pipes.
It may also be possible to improve the efficiency of your water heater.
Building an Energy Efficient Home
What are the advantages of an energy efficient home?
The major advantage is low energy costs.
A home that is inexpensive to heat today will be an even better investment as energy prices increase over time.
Modern energy efficient homes also offer superior comfort, air quality, and higher resale value.
What is an R-2000 home?
R-2000 homes are the only certified energy efficient houses on the market. To be certified R-2000, a house must:
- be built by a contractor who has completed an R-2000 training program
- meet specified energy targets.
- have a controlled ventilation system
- achieve a specified level of air tightness
- pass R-2000 inspections
Can a house be too air tight?
Absolutely not!
Air-tight construction is the key to energy efficiency.
Sealing all the small cracks and holes helps insulation work better, improves comfort, and prevents condensation damage to the building's structure.
Tight construction allows you to control indoor living conditions regardless of the weather outside.
Passive Solar Homes
What makes a home "solar"?
In is simplest form, passive solar involves carefully choosing the size and location of windows and developing a floor plan that positions primary living spaces on the south side of the house.
When combined with good insulation, better windows, and tight construction, passive solar heating can supply as much as 30 per cent of a conventional home's annual heating needs with little or no increase in construction costs.
What if I have a great view that doesn't face south?
When that happens, invest in high-efficiency windows and carefully size and locate your windows to avoid making them too large.
Your windows don't have to be exactly perpendicular to the view for you to be able to enjoy it.
Often windows can be angled somewhat towards the sun to increase solar gain without spoiling your view.
For more questions and answers, please see Passive Solar Homes.
Introduction to Home Heating
To switch or not to switch?
Are your heating bills too high?
High fuel costs are often only a symptom of the real problem. Before you replace your heating system, check your home for these heat wasters:
- poor insulation
- drafty windows and doors
- air leaks
- inaccurate thermostats
- an inefficient water heater
- poorly maintained heating equipment