For more info about staging and quotes, please go to www.1855wannareno.com
If you're aiming to place your house on the market this summer, it goes while not spoken language that you just want to sell your home as fast as possible and find your terms. Set the stage for fulfillment with these tips for styling and upgrading your home, and see results very quick.
Boost curb charm. this is often one thing you usually hear, and with superb reason. many of us thinking of itinerant your home can do a fast drive-by initial, typically picking the spot if it's even value a glance within. confirm your house is able to lure in onlookers with these tips:
Clean siding, soffit, eavestrough and walkways
Hang new house numbers, easy to be seen
Plant blooming flowers and contemporary leafage
Mow lawn, and reseed or add contemporary sod as required
Wash front windows
Repaint or stain the construction floor as required
Prepare and clean the house . From shining floors and gleaming windows to scrub counters and clean grout, each surface ought to sparkle. this is often the simplest yet the most important thing that make your home place its best credential for presentations. you will wish to rent professionals to try to a number of the very powerful stuff, particularly if you've got an outsized house
Clear away all litter. If you're serious concerning staging your home, all litter should go, finish of story. it is not straightforward, and it should even need utilizing offsite storage (or a pleasant relative's garage) briefly, however it's well definitely worth the bother. Clean and clear surfaces, floors, cabinets and closets equal extra space within the eyes of potential patrons, thus purge something unnecessary or unpleasant.
Style your eating table. The eating space is commonly a blind spot in decorating the house. Between dinners, an outsized board will look vacant and uninviting, thus styling it up with guests in mind will increase the charm. associate large arrangement will look too stiff and formal, thus strive lining up a series of smaller vessels down the middle of the table instead.
Take an honest investigate your floors. At the vacant minimum, offer all floors a radical cleansing (and clean carpets), however contemplate having wooden floors refinished if they're in bad condition. If you do not wish to speculate in refinishing floors, the strategic placement of space rugs will go a protracted means.
set up your furnishings. within the front room, symmetrical arrangements sometimes work well. Pull your furnishings off the walls and use pairs (of sofas, chairs, lamps) to form associate tantalising speech space.
Create a gender-neutral main bedroom. charm to everybody with a clean, tailored main bedroom, freed from personal things and litter. you cannot get it wrong with clean, crisp linens, tasteful design and a blanket plicate at the foot of the bed.
Open the closets Open-house guests can peek within your closets. Closet house may be a make-it-or-break-it point for patrons, thus show yours off to their full advantage by giving excess stuff the heave-ho. Again, this is often very necessary, thus though you wish to store some boxes elsewhere, it's worthwhile. Aim to possess twenty to thirty % open house in every closet to administer the impression of largeness.
Use solely excellent personal accents. particularly within the lavatory, it's necessary that something disregarded for guests to visualize is pristine. If you've got a stunning downlike white robe, hanging it on an ornamental fasten on the door may be a lovely accent -- however if your gown is a lot of of the homespun blue floral selection, you would possibly wish to cover it away. investigate each detail with a visitor's eye -- bars of soap ought to be contemporary and clean, towels spic, the rubbish perpetually empty
Beware pet odors. Really, this could be a giant one! If you've got pets, get all rugs steam cleansed and be further wakeful concerning vacuuming and laundry surfaces. even be guaranteed to keep any extra-loved pet toys and bow-wow bones hidden once tours area unit scheduled .
Think seasonally. confirm your garden is in lovely form within the summer, which any further options you've got, sort of a pool or a fireplace pit, area unit cleansed and prepared to travel. cash in of the comfy atmosphere of the season in season and winter, by building fire|a hearth} within the fireplace and cookery hot apple potable on the stove.
Showing posts with label home staging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home staging. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
Monday, 30 November 2015
Choose the right paint for your Painting project | 1-855-wanna-reno? Toronto,Whitby,Oshawa,Ajax,Pickering,Courtice
For more info and quotes on painting go to www.1855wannareno.com
Painting could be a fast ANd low-cost thanks to provide an previous space a breath of contemporary air or to form your house additional saleable if you're swing it on the market. ascertain all you have got ever wished to grasp regarding choosing paint.
Which paint do you have to choose?
Paint comes in a very style of sheens also as in either oil or latex. rubber-base paint is that the most ordinarily and most popular paint sort to use as a result of its easy pack up and long lasting sturdiness. It conjointly tends to be additional fade resistant and breathes higher than oil, leading to less blistering of the paint. i like to recommend employing a rubber-base paint for many of your walls and home uses. However, oil primarily based paint is nice for priming real wood moldings and trim because it tends to seal stains and knots from the wood higher than a rubber-base paint wood. It will take longer to dry than a rubber-base paint tho', thus arrange for additional drying time. I in person use AN oil primarily based shellac primer on my trim so want a rubber-base paint because the high coat. There square measure a range of brands on the market, however my high preference is Benjamin Moore paint.
Which refulgency ought to I select?
The glossier the paint, the better it's to wash up. If you have got babies and therefore the space you're painting has high traffic, like in a very recreation room, or tends to urge grease on the wall like in a very room, want high gloss refulgency as you'll be able to simply wipe the wall down with a humid sponge. this may but create blemishes and imperfections in your wall additional apparent and in rooms like living rooms, might provide off AN unpleasant shine. High gloss is additionally nice for trim and can provide the trim a pleasant finished look, complementing the praise refulgency of your walls.
Semi-gloss would even be a decent selection for kitchens and baths also as trim providing you with easy wash-ability and fewer shine than the gloss. it's conjointly slightly cheaper than the gloss end and could be a quite common various. material sheens have a sleek swish end to them and will even be utilized in kitchens, baths and hallways. this might be a decent selection if you actually need some gloss and paint that may clean simply while not the shine of a gloss.
If you have got walls with many imperfections, choose a flat or matte paint. you'll be able to typically depart with one coat of paint. The draw back to the present paint is that it doesn't get up well to a decent cleanup and will tend to indicate dirt additional thus select this for rooms which will not get many fingerprints and dirt on them. in all probability the foremost in style refulgency is natural covering, that hides imperfections sort of a flat will however is simpler to scrub, thus additional sturdy and power tool to the bit. i like to recommend this for many rooms because it looks to possess the most effective of each the flat and shiny worlds.
Which color ought to I choose?
If you're within the method of commerce your house, i like to recommend choosing a white or off-white color because the selection for walls. this may enable the client to simply cowl the wall with their selection of color and can provide your rooms a brighter and clean look. However, you ought to take full advantage of the many paint alternatives and brochures at your native paint store also as seek advice from a salesman regarding the varied color schemes for the design you wish. you'll be able to modification the texture of any space in your house with somewhat coming up with and a few color, variable the shades for a precise look or feel.
A good rule of thumb is to recollect the colour wheel. we have a tendency to all learned regarding the first colours in class - red, yellow and blue. These square measure on the colour wheel at 12:00, 4:00 and 8:00 severally. Combining any of those can provide you with a secondary color (i.e. purple, orange). colours close to different|one another} on the colour wheel like blue and purple square measure analogous to every other and can enable one color to face out additional. colours opposite one another on the colour wheel like inexperienced and red square measure complementary to at least one another and can nicely face one another. Staying inside constant shade of color (i.e. greens) can provide you with a delicate and soothing look. Painting with cool colours like blues, greens and purples makes tiny rooms seem larger and additional ethereal whereas colours like reds, yellows and oranges can provides a space a additional spirited look. you'll be able to vary the heat even with a red or yellow by selecting muted reminder those colours like pink, peach or a buttery yellow. heat colours have cool ones as their complementary colours whereas cool colours have heat enhances. Shades square measure either pure or spirited, muted (which square measure less intense than their spirited counterparts) or shaded (the darker colours within the same color scheme).
Painting could be a fast ANd low-cost thanks to provide an previous space a breath of contemporary air or to form your house additional saleable if you're swing it on the market. ascertain all you have got ever wished to grasp regarding choosing paint.
Which paint do you have to choose?
Paint comes in a very style of sheens also as in either oil or latex. rubber-base paint is that the most ordinarily and most popular paint sort to use as a result of its easy pack up and long lasting sturdiness. It conjointly tends to be additional fade resistant and breathes higher than oil, leading to less blistering of the paint. i like to recommend employing a rubber-base paint for many of your walls and home uses. However, oil primarily based paint is nice for priming real wood moldings and trim because it tends to seal stains and knots from the wood higher than a rubber-base paint wood. It will take longer to dry than a rubber-base paint tho', thus arrange for additional drying time. I in person use AN oil primarily based shellac primer on my trim so want a rubber-base paint because the high coat. There square measure a range of brands on the market, however my high preference is Benjamin Moore paint.
Which refulgency ought to I select?
The glossier the paint, the better it's to wash up. If you have got babies and therefore the space you're painting has high traffic, like in a very recreation room, or tends to urge grease on the wall like in a very room, want high gloss refulgency as you'll be able to simply wipe the wall down with a humid sponge. this may but create blemishes and imperfections in your wall additional apparent and in rooms like living rooms, might provide off AN unpleasant shine. High gloss is additionally nice for trim and can provide the trim a pleasant finished look, complementing the praise refulgency of your walls.
Semi-gloss would even be a decent selection for kitchens and baths also as trim providing you with easy wash-ability and fewer shine than the gloss. it's conjointly slightly cheaper than the gloss end and could be a quite common various. material sheens have a sleek swish end to them and will even be utilized in kitchens, baths and hallways. this might be a decent selection if you actually need some gloss and paint that may clean simply while not the shine of a gloss.
If you have got walls with many imperfections, choose a flat or matte paint. you'll be able to typically depart with one coat of paint. The draw back to the present paint is that it doesn't get up well to a decent cleanup and will tend to indicate dirt additional thus select this for rooms which will not get many fingerprints and dirt on them. in all probability the foremost in style refulgency is natural covering, that hides imperfections sort of a flat will however is simpler to scrub, thus additional sturdy and power tool to the bit. i like to recommend this for many rooms because it looks to possess the most effective of each the flat and shiny worlds.
Which color ought to I choose?
If you're within the method of commerce your house, i like to recommend choosing a white or off-white color because the selection for walls. this may enable the client to simply cowl the wall with their selection of color and can provide your rooms a brighter and clean look. However, you ought to take full advantage of the many paint alternatives and brochures at your native paint store also as seek advice from a salesman regarding the varied color schemes for the design you wish. you'll be able to modification the texture of any space in your house with somewhat coming up with and a few color, variable the shades for a precise look or feel.
A good rule of thumb is to recollect the colour wheel. we have a tendency to all learned regarding the first colours in class - red, yellow and blue. These square measure on the colour wheel at 12:00, 4:00 and 8:00 severally. Combining any of those can provide you with a secondary color (i.e. purple, orange). colours close to different|one another} on the colour wheel like blue and purple square measure analogous to every other and can enable one color to face out additional. colours opposite one another on the colour wheel like inexperienced and red square measure complementary to at least one another and can nicely face one another. Staying inside constant shade of color (i.e. greens) can provide you with a delicate and soothing look. Painting with cool colours like blues, greens and purples makes tiny rooms seem larger and additional ethereal whereas colours like reds, yellows and oranges can provides a space a additional spirited look. you'll be able to vary the heat even with a red or yellow by selecting muted reminder those colours like pink, peach or a buttery yellow. heat colours have cool ones as their complementary colours whereas cool colours have heat enhances. Shades square measure either pure or spirited, muted (which square measure less intense than their spirited counterparts) or shaded (the darker colours within the same color scheme).
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Staging for real Estate. Prepare your home to list! - 1855wannareno? (GTA,DURHAM-CANADA)
Preparing your house for real estate market - Contact us and get more money for your house ....
www.1855wannareno.com
Preparing your house for marketing may be a frightening and overwhelming task whether or not you\'ve got lived in your home a number of years or several. The longer you\'ve got lived in your home the additional stuff you can have nonheritable. The intent of this high ten Tips for productive Home Staging is to assist you make more money .
In getting ready your house for marketing you would like to require a step back and have the approach that this can be not your home however your investment for your future. you would like your home to own broad emptor charm to your target market. Following these ten Tips for productive Home Staging can assist you sell your house sooner and presumably for extra money than if you probably did not prepare it for selling! bear in mind the majority wish to maneuver into their new home while not having to create updates thereto.
1. Curb charm
Stand back and consider your home as if you were seeing it for the primary time. this can be the ‘first impression’ stage. looking on the season you\'ll wish to own pots of vibrant and engaging flowers to greet buyers; a clean and welcoming door mat; new and glossy door handles and/or knockers; a freshly painted door.
2. Declutter
Start your pre-pack as before long as potential. you would like to come to a decision what you\'re reaching to keep, give away, sell or throw away/recycle. many consumers can rent storage lockers or have pods delivered so that they will begin to filter what\'s not reaching to build the house look sensible.
3. Clean
You would suppose this one is logic however let Maine assure you, I would like it had been so! A clean home interprets into ‘They should have very cared for his or her home.” Use cleaners wherever you\'ll be able to, for exhausting cleansing areas . loos and kitchens should be sparkling clean at the terribly least.
4. objectify
We know you like your family photos and your personal treasures and for living they\'re good. For marketing pack them up fastidiously thus you\'ll be able to showcase them in your new home. For marketing you would like consumers to concentrate on the most effective options of your home and not your personal things or collections.
5. A neutral combination is that the thanks to opt for marketing.
Choose solely three colors or less to color your house for marketing. If you\'ve got associate degree open plan then paint the most floor all constant color. Bedrooms look sensible in lightweight sage greens or heat blues just like the new turquoise.
6. Highlight your home’s best bailiwick options
Place your furnishings in every space so you\'ve got terribly obvious focal points that blow their own horns the home’s best marketing options. for instance, if you\'ve got a pretty fire then place the furnishings during a parallel grouping so the attention is drawn to the fireside.
7. select the perform in every space
If you were victimization your guest room as your den for living, for marketing flip it back to a room with furniture in it. If you are doing not have the proper furnishings for every space take into account rental it. There square measure additional and additional rental furnishing corporations gap up on a daily basis. If you don’t wish to rent then borrow.
8. Lighting your home to its best advantage
Spend cash on new lighting fixtures in brushed nickel or chrome steel. Brass is out thus don’t fight it. There square measure several cheap lighting stores to pick out from thus no excuses for having dated lighting fixtures.
9. Window treatments that sell your home
The most in style on the market square measure the 2” fake woods during a white tone to travel together with your trim. ornamental aspect panels can do the trick if you would like to feature heat and color.
10. Flooring desires special attention and could be a sensible investment for change the planning of your home
Tile or covering material is nice for entranceways, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms; an honest quality laminate or hardwood is ideal for living rooms and family rooms; bedrooms square measure engaging during a neutral carpet.
By coming up with and budgeting you\'ll be able to get yourself to the “ HOUSE READY” stage.
Remember that over seventy nine of prospective consumers have already checked you out through internet listings. could they like what they see?
Stay connected !!!
www.facebook.com/1855wannareno
www.twitter.com/1855wannareno
www.pinterest.com/1855wannareno
www.1855wannareno.com
Preparing your house for marketing may be a frightening and overwhelming task whether or not you\'ve got lived in your home a number of years or several. The longer you\'ve got lived in your home the additional stuff you can have nonheritable. The intent of this high ten Tips for productive Home Staging is to assist you make more money .
In getting ready your house for marketing you would like to require a step back and have the approach that this can be not your home however your investment for your future. you would like your home to own broad emptor charm to your target market. Following these ten Tips for productive Home Staging can assist you sell your house sooner and presumably for extra money than if you probably did not prepare it for selling! bear in mind the majority wish to maneuver into their new home while not having to create updates thereto.
1. Curb charm
Stand back and consider your home as if you were seeing it for the primary time. this can be the ‘first impression’ stage. looking on the season you\'ll wish to own pots of vibrant and engaging flowers to greet buyers; a clean and welcoming door mat; new and glossy door handles and/or knockers; a freshly painted door.
2. Declutter
Start your pre-pack as before long as potential. you would like to come to a decision what you\'re reaching to keep, give away, sell or throw away/recycle. many consumers can rent storage lockers or have pods delivered so that they will begin to filter what\'s not reaching to build the house look sensible.
3. Clean
You would suppose this one is logic however let Maine assure you, I would like it had been so! A clean home interprets into ‘They should have very cared for his or her home.” Use cleaners wherever you\'ll be able to, for exhausting cleansing areas . loos and kitchens should be sparkling clean at the terribly least.
4. objectify
We know you like your family photos and your personal treasures and for living they\'re good. For marketing pack them up fastidiously thus you\'ll be able to showcase them in your new home. For marketing you would like consumers to concentrate on the most effective options of your home and not your personal things or collections.
5. A neutral combination is that the thanks to opt for marketing.
Choose solely three colors or less to color your house for marketing. If you\'ve got associate degree open plan then paint the most floor all constant color. Bedrooms look sensible in lightweight sage greens or heat blues just like the new turquoise.
6. Highlight your home’s best bailiwick options
Place your furnishings in every space so you\'ve got terribly obvious focal points that blow their own horns the home’s best marketing options. for instance, if you\'ve got a pretty fire then place the furnishings during a parallel grouping so the attention is drawn to the fireside.
7. select the perform in every space
If you were victimization your guest room as your den for living, for marketing flip it back to a room with furniture in it. If you are doing not have the proper furnishings for every space take into account rental it. There square measure additional and additional rental furnishing corporations gap up on a daily basis. If you don’t wish to rent then borrow.
8. Lighting your home to its best advantage
Spend cash on new lighting fixtures in brushed nickel or chrome steel. Brass is out thus don’t fight it. There square measure several cheap lighting stores to pick out from thus no excuses for having dated lighting fixtures.
9. Window treatments that sell your home
The most in style on the market square measure the 2” fake woods during a white tone to travel together with your trim. ornamental aspect panels can do the trick if you would like to feature heat and color.
10. Flooring desires special attention and could be a sensible investment for change the planning of your home
Tile or covering material is nice for entranceways, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms; an honest quality laminate or hardwood is ideal for living rooms and family rooms; bedrooms square measure engaging during a neutral carpet.
By coming up with and budgeting you\'ll be able to get yourself to the “ HOUSE READY” stage.
Remember that over seventy nine of prospective consumers have already checked you out through internet listings. could they like what they see?
Stay connected !!!
www.facebook.com/1855wannareno
www.twitter.com/1855wannareno
www.pinterest.com/1855wannareno
Monday, 24 November 2014
HOME REPAIRS BEFORE WINTER / 1855wannareno?
HOME REPAIRS BEFORE WINTER / www.1855wannareno.com
We are getting a lot of calls from customers that need roofing, eavestrough and siding repair jobs. We always recommend to our clients to avoid getting into roofing replacements in this time of the year because our experience tells us that no roof gets done properly when the weather gets cold. On the otherhand,we think that is appropriate to do the repairs and inspections before the snow falls every day.
If you need some exterior repair; roof, eavestrough, siding, soffit or yiu are thinking to prepare your house to sale, please contact us. We offer staging for real estate, painting and interior decor to help you get the maximum price for your house.
DONT WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE A LOT OF SNOW TO DO THE REPAIR!!
If you need some exterior repair; roof, eavestrough, siding, soffit or yiu are thinking to prepare your house to sale, please contact us. We offer staging for real estate, painting and interior decor to help you get the maximum price for your house.
DONT WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE A LOT OF SNOW TO DO THE REPAIR!!
#sidingcontractor #eavestrough #roofingcompany #painting #stagingahome #stagingtip #roofingwhitby #roofingoshawa #roofingpickering #eavestroughoshawa #eavestroughwhitby #eavestroughajax #eavestroughpickering #rooofingajax #stagingwhitby #stagingoshawa #stagingpickering #stagingajax #roofrepair #eavestroughrepair #chimneyrepair #sidingrepair #soffit #downpipes #windows #roofinspections
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Friday, 4 May 2012
Wind the future source of electricity | 1-855-wanna-reno?
WIND GENERATORS www.1855wannareno.com
Wind is free and with modern technology it can be captured efficiently. Once a wind turbine is built the energy it produces does not cause green house gases or other pollutants. Although wind turbines can be very tall each takes up only a small plot of land. This means that the land below can still be used. This is especially the case in agricultural areas as farming and grazing can still continue. Many people find wind farms an interesting feature of the landscape, views of wind turbines can be awe inspiring, to say the least.. Remote areas that are not connected to the electricity power grid can use wind turbines to produce their own supply. Wind turbines have a role to play in both the developed and third world countries. Wind turbines are available in a range of sizes which means a vast range of people and businesses can use them. Single households to small towns and villages can make good use of range of wind turbines available today.
In addition, wind energy can provide new sources of income in rural areas, as well as jobs for people who set up and maintain wind turbines or manage wind farms. Employment opportunities range from meteorologists and surveyors to structural engineers, assembly workers, and mechanical operators. Statistics show that every Megawatt of new wind capacity creates nearly twenty jobs.
Some of the concerns raised about wind turbines are not true. Wind turbines are not, as many people believe, dangerous to birds. A sliding glass door is more dangerous to birds than a small wind turbine. Wind turbines also have a very low potential to interfere with radio and television reception. All modern turbines, large and small, have blades made of fibreglass or wood. These materials are transparent to electromagnetic waves such as radio and television.
Your neighbours' concerns relating to wind turbine noise are important. No matter the size of the wind turbine, the potential for turbine noise to bother other people always exists. Even if a wind turbine does not emit enough sound to violate any noise regulations, the noise it produces may still be objectionable to other people.
The major challenge to using wind as a source of power is that it is intermittent and does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind cannot be stored (although wind-generated electricity can be stored, if batteries are used), and not all winds can be harnessed to meet the timing of electricity demands. Further, good wind sites are often located in remote locations far from areas of electric power demand (such as cities). Finally, wind resource development may compete with other uses for the land, and those alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity generation. However, wind turbines can be located on land that is also used for grazing or even farming.
Beside the disadvantages, we can conclude that this could be just another way to complement the energy generation plan of any country. Home wind generators can generate enough to reduce the pollution in the future. Something to consider because every single country is trying to get more energy to keep growing.
Lets go green! Help the planet...visit us www.1855wannareno.com
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Are green homes a good invesment? | 1-855-wanna-reno.?
www.1855wannareno.com .....Lets help our planet!
According to a green home poll last year by TD Canada Trust, 72 per cent of Canadians are willing to pay more for a house or condo with environmentally friendly features. That statistic would seem to contradict the findings of the Leger poll. But take a closer look: Of these big spenders, more than three-quarters (77 per cent) are primarily motivated by savings on energy bills, with only 42 per cent appreciating the reduction of environmental impact. Green homes aren't necessarily selling to environmentalists; they're selling to the financially savvy.
These days, with so many builders touting themselves as green, they can begin to blur together in the eyes of buyers. When a builder markets his homes as environmentally friendly because they feature water-saving toilets and high-efficiency gas furnaces, that's a problem: You'd be hard-pressed to find a new home without these features.
Given the choice of a home that meets minimum governmental requirements for environmental considerations and another that exceeds them, all other things being equal, most of us will choose the green home and feel good about it.
But the reality is that all other things aren't equal. If the greener home means more money at the outset, which it sometimes does, it might mean sacrificing square footage or high-end finishes. (or am i wrong?)
We know about all these green ideas but if they don't have a development in our preferred location, chances are we'll move along to someone who does.
www.188wannareno.com Follow us on Tweeter: @1855wannareno
Facebook: facebook.com/1855wannareno
Thursday, 26 April 2012
1-855-wanna-reno? Asphalt shingles bad or good?
Ways to Help
Asphalt shingles are extraordinarily effective in the protection and appearance of millions of homes. However, when they are replaced, they can clog up landfills. These shingles have useful components that can be utilized again through and efficient and effective national recycling network. Here's some quick facts about asphalt roofing shingles- 12 million tons created annually
- 11 million tons post consumer tear-off debris
- 1 million tons of manufacturing waste
- contractors spend $1billion yearly in waste hauling and tip fees
- clog landfills, utilizing over 4% of all space
- require several generation to decompose
- include valuable and reusable asphalt content
- asphalt content can be used for road repair and construction
If asphalt shingles must be used on a project, buying the longest lasting asphalt shingles and buying no more shingles than necessary can help lessen the environmental impact of the project. If there are shingles left over when the roof is completed, they should be donated to Habitat for Humanity and similar programs.
Reusing or recycling asphalt shingles reduces landfill mass and pollution. Recycling companies process asphalt shingles for use in hot-mix, which is used make and repair roads.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Save energy and money..1-855-wanna-reno? wants to help you
FOR HOMEOWNERS
1 Get an energy audit of my home — and act on the results.
The Government of Ontario will help fund an audit and related retrofits to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Get more information from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure at www.homeenergyontario.ca
2 Have my central air conditioning and furnace serviced.
Use a licensed HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) professional to ensure maximum performance.
3 Clean my air conditioning unit’s condenser of dirt and debris.
4 Clean or replace my furnace filter (especially, if I have central A/C).
Change or clean it monthly through the summer and every three months in winter.
5 Install a programmable thermostat.
A properly set programmable thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10 per cent.
6 Improve the insulation of my home.
7 Reduce air leaks in my home.
Caulk around windows, apply good quality weather stripping around doors, and install foam gaskets behind the cover plates of lighting fixtures, wall switches and receptacle face plates, especially on exterior facing walls.
8 Sign up for peaksaver® (if available where you live).
Allow your utility to turn down your air conditioner for short periods during hot summer weekdays when the demand for electricity is high. (Visit everykilowattcounts.ca to find out more about the program and the cash incentives).
9 Right-size your refrigerator.
Even an energy-efficient model can’t give you maximum savings if it’s too big for your needs.
10 Get rid of my old energy-guzzling second fridge.
Take advantage of the Great Refrigerator Round Up! (Visit everykilowattcounts.ca to find out more about the program).
11 Upgrade to ENERGY STAR® windows.
This change could reduce overall annual energy costs by up to 12 percent.
12 Install a solar or tankless/instantaneous hot water heater.
This change will dramatically reduce water heating costs.
13 Install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the rooftop.
You might even produce more energy than you can use.
14 Install a ground-source heat pump.
You can produce at least two-thirds of the energy needed to heat your home this way, meaning savings of 30 to 70 per cent off your home heating costs.
15 Get a pool pump timer.
16 Make sure I have a thermal pool blanket.
A blanket will reduce heat loss and water evaporation.
17 Consider solar panels to heat my pool.
Solar panels can heat your pool very cost-effectively.
18 Specify that I want my new home to meet ENERGY STAR® standards.
19 Landscape for energy savings.
Plant coniferous trees on the north side to protect from winter winds. Plant deciduous trees to shade the south-facing windows in the summer.
1 Get an energy audit of my home — and act on the results.
The Government of Ontario will help fund an audit and related retrofits to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Get more information from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure at www.homeenergyontario.ca
2 Have my central air conditioning and furnace serviced.
Use a licensed HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) professional to ensure maximum performance.
3 Clean my air conditioning unit’s condenser of dirt and debris.
4 Clean or replace my furnace filter (especially, if I have central A/C).
Change or clean it monthly through the summer and every three months in winter.
5 Install a programmable thermostat.
A properly set programmable thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10 per cent.
6 Improve the insulation of my home.
7 Reduce air leaks in my home.
Caulk around windows, apply good quality weather stripping around doors, and install foam gaskets behind the cover plates of lighting fixtures, wall switches and receptacle face plates, especially on exterior facing walls.
8 Sign up for peaksaver® (if available where you live).
Allow your utility to turn down your air conditioner for short periods during hot summer weekdays when the demand for electricity is high. (Visit everykilowattcounts.ca to find out more about the program and the cash incentives).
9 Right-size your refrigerator.
Even an energy-efficient model can’t give you maximum savings if it’s too big for your needs.
10 Get rid of my old energy-guzzling second fridge.
Take advantage of the Great Refrigerator Round Up! (Visit everykilowattcounts.ca to find out more about the program).
11 Upgrade to ENERGY STAR® windows.
This change could reduce overall annual energy costs by up to 12 percent.
12 Install a solar or tankless/instantaneous hot water heater.
This change will dramatically reduce water heating costs.
13 Install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the rooftop.
You might even produce more energy than you can use.
14 Install a ground-source heat pump.
You can produce at least two-thirds of the energy needed to heat your home this way, meaning savings of 30 to 70 per cent off your home heating costs.
15 Get a pool pump timer.
16 Make sure I have a thermal pool blanket.
A blanket will reduce heat loss and water evaporation.
17 Consider solar panels to heat my pool.
Solar panels can heat your pool very cost-effectively.
18 Specify that I want my new home to meet ENERGY STAR® standards.
19 Landscape for energy savings.
Plant coniferous trees on the north side to protect from winter winds. Plant deciduous trees to shade the south-facing windows in the summer.
FOR EVERYONE AT HOME
20 Use EnerGuide (Natural Resources Canada) ratings.
These ratings can help you make purchasing decisions about energy-efficient appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and even vehicles.
21 Fight phantom load – unplug electronics that draw power even when they’re turned off.
This includes TVs, cable TV boxes, clocks, microwave ovens and any items using "power cubes" (such as handheld vacuums and baby monitors).
22 Upgrade to ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliances.
Look for ENERGY STAR® entertainment products too.
23 Adjust the water level on the washing machine.
Match the water level to the size of your load.
24 Wash only full loads of laundry.
And, better yet, use only cold water
25 Do my laundry on evenings and weekends.
Electricity demand is lower at these times.
26 Hang my clothes outside to dry.
Your neighbours might be inspired to follow your great example!
27 Clean the lint out of my dryer after each load of laundry.
28 Use a toaster oven or microwave instead of the oven, whenever possible.
29 Opt for an electric frying pan instead of a range top.
30 Try slow cooking.
It actually reduces energy use even though cooking times are extended.
31 Use pots with tight-fitting lids.
Your food will cook faster.
32 Use the oven light to check on my food instead of opening the door.
33 Use an automatic shut-off kettle.
34 Always set my dishwasher to air dry and only run it when full.
35 Allow hot food to cool before placing it in my refrigerator.
36 Thaw my frozen foods in the refrigerator.
This can reduce spoilage and even help keep the fridge cool.
37 Vacuum my refrigerator coils to keep them efficient.
38 Use the oven’s self-cleaning option after cooking.
You can take advantage of the existing heat.
39 Make my showers shorter to use less energy and hot water.
Showers use much less water than a bath!
40 Install low-flow toilets.
You’ll save on water use and on the energy needed to pump water. Look for rebates at guelph.ca/water
41 Rinse my dishes in a tub of clean water.
It uses more energy to run them under hot running water.
42 Fix dripping faucets, especially leaky hot water faucets.
43 Insulate around my water pipes.
Wrap the first metre on cold water pipes and the first two metres on hot water pipes running to and from the tanks.
44 Install a water heater jacket and low-flow faucet aerators.
45 Use a manual lawn mower.
You’ll save energy and get some exercise.
46 Open a window or use ceiling fan.
Often air conditioning isn’t really needed.
47 Set my air conditioner at 25°C when I’m home and 28°C when away.
You can even turn it off if you’re not going to be home.
48 Set my heat/thermostat at 20°C when I’m at home and 18°C overnight.
49 Install solar reflective film on my windows.
Use it on southeast, southwest and south facing windows to keep the sun’s heat from entering.
50 Use insulated drapes or energy-saving cellular / honeycomb blinds in the winter
They help to keep the heat inside your home.
51 Use drapes/blinds, awnings and shades in the summer to keep the heat out
And close them when you’re going to be out of the house.
52 Turn off the monitor if I’m not going to use my computer for more than 20 minutes.
53 Turn off both the monitor and the CPU if I’m not going to use it for more than 2 hours.
54 Turn off your screensaver.
It doesn’t save energy! Or your screen.
55 Use power bars with on/off switches, automatic shutoff, or integrated timers.
56 Replace my high-use incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR®-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) wherever it makes sense.
They use up to 75 per cent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer.
57 Install dimmer switches and use dimmable CFLs.
58 Use task lighting.
59 Place floor lamps or table lamps in corners.
The light will reflect from both walls, making the room brighter without additional lamps.
60 Install motion sensors to turn off lights automatically.
61 Keep all air registers/radiators free of obstructions that impede air flow.
Have your ducts cleaned annually.
62 Use LED (light emitting diode) seasonal / celebration lights.
Traditional incandescent lights use more energy.
63 Use solar-powered outdoor lights.
20 Use EnerGuide (Natural Resources Canada) ratings.
These ratings can help you make purchasing decisions about energy-efficient appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and even vehicles.
21 Fight phantom load – unplug electronics that draw power even when they’re turned off.
This includes TVs, cable TV boxes, clocks, microwave ovens and any items using "power cubes" (such as handheld vacuums and baby monitors).
22 Upgrade to ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliances.
Look for ENERGY STAR® entertainment products too.
23 Adjust the water level on the washing machine.
Match the water level to the size of your load.
24 Wash only full loads of laundry.
And, better yet, use only cold water
25 Do my laundry on evenings and weekends.
Electricity demand is lower at these times.
26 Hang my clothes outside to dry.
Your neighbours might be inspired to follow your great example!
27 Clean the lint out of my dryer after each load of laundry.
28 Use a toaster oven or microwave instead of the oven, whenever possible.
29 Opt for an electric frying pan instead of a range top.
30 Try slow cooking.
It actually reduces energy use even though cooking times are extended.
31 Use pots with tight-fitting lids.
Your food will cook faster.
32 Use the oven light to check on my food instead of opening the door.
33 Use an automatic shut-off kettle.
34 Always set my dishwasher to air dry and only run it when full.
35 Allow hot food to cool before placing it in my refrigerator.
36 Thaw my frozen foods in the refrigerator.
This can reduce spoilage and even help keep the fridge cool.
37 Vacuum my refrigerator coils to keep them efficient.
38 Use the oven’s self-cleaning option after cooking.
You can take advantage of the existing heat.
39 Make my showers shorter to use less energy and hot water.
Showers use much less water than a bath!
40 Install low-flow toilets.
You’ll save on water use and on the energy needed to pump water. Look for rebates at guelph.ca/water
41 Rinse my dishes in a tub of clean water.
It uses more energy to run them under hot running water.
42 Fix dripping faucets, especially leaky hot water faucets.
43 Insulate around my water pipes.
Wrap the first metre on cold water pipes and the first two metres on hot water pipes running to and from the tanks.
44 Install a water heater jacket and low-flow faucet aerators.
45 Use a manual lawn mower.
You’ll save energy and get some exercise.
46 Open a window or use ceiling fan.
Often air conditioning isn’t really needed.
47 Set my air conditioner at 25°C when I’m home and 28°C when away.
You can even turn it off if you’re not going to be home.
48 Set my heat/thermostat at 20°C when I’m at home and 18°C overnight.
49 Install solar reflective film on my windows.
Use it on southeast, southwest and south facing windows to keep the sun’s heat from entering.
50 Use insulated drapes or energy-saving cellular / honeycomb blinds in the winter
They help to keep the heat inside your home.
51 Use drapes/blinds, awnings and shades in the summer to keep the heat out
And close them when you’re going to be out of the house.
52 Turn off the monitor if I’m not going to use my computer for more than 20 minutes.
53 Turn off both the monitor and the CPU if I’m not going to use it for more than 2 hours.
54 Turn off your screensaver.
It doesn’t save energy! Or your screen.
55 Use power bars with on/off switches, automatic shutoff, or integrated timers.
56 Replace my high-use incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR®-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) wherever it makes sense.
They use up to 75 per cent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer.
57 Install dimmer switches and use dimmable CFLs.
58 Use task lighting.
59 Place floor lamps or table lamps in corners.
The light will reflect from both walls, making the room brighter without additional lamps.
60 Install motion sensors to turn off lights automatically.
61 Keep all air registers/radiators free of obstructions that impede air flow.
Have your ducts cleaned annually.
62 Use LED (light emitting diode) seasonal / celebration lights.
Traditional incandescent lights use more energy.
63 Use solar-powered outdoor lights.
FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
64 Teach my children good energy conservation habits.
Habits are formed early, so set a good example.
65 Think of ways to reward my kids for good conservation habits.
66 Choose games and toys for my children with energy use in mind.
64 Teach my children good energy conservation habits.
Habits are formed early, so set a good example.
65 Think of ways to reward my kids for good conservation habits.
66 Choose games and toys for my children with energy use in mind.
FOR KIDS - OF ALL AGES
67 Turn off the lights whenever I leave a room.
68 Decide what I want before opening the refrigerator door.
69 Turn off televisions, computers, and game consoles when I’m finished using them.
70 Ask my parents about other ways I can help conserve.
67 Turn off the lights whenever I leave a room.
68 Decide what I want before opening the refrigerator door.
69 Turn off televisions, computers, and game consoles when I’m finished using them.
70 Ask my parents about other ways I can help conserve.
FOR TRAVELLERS
71 Put my indoor and outdoor lights on timers.
Don’t leave your lights on 24/7 while you’re away.
72 Put my water heater on the vacation setting, if it has one.
73 Choose green-rated hotels when travelling for business or pleasure.
74 Pull the plug on my battery chargers.
Laptops, cell phones and digital cameras always draw power if they’re plugged in.
71 Put my indoor and outdoor lights on timers.
Don’t leave your lights on 24/7 while you’re away.
72 Put my water heater on the vacation setting, if it has one.
73 Choose green-rated hotels when travelling for business or pleasure.
74 Pull the plug on my battery chargers.
Laptops, cell phones and digital cameras always draw power if they’re plugged in.
AT SCHOOL - TEACHERS
75 Make energy conservation a classroom commitment.
Incorporate conservation into your lessons wherever and whenever possible.
76 Appoint a classroom energy monitor.
Getting students involved gets them motivated.
77 Take advantage of daylight.
Use natural sunlight when possible and turn lights off when classrooms, gyms and auditoriums are not in use.
75 Make energy conservation a classroom commitment.
Incorporate conservation into your lessons wherever and whenever possible.
76 Appoint a classroom energy monitor.
Getting students involved gets them motivated.
77 Take advantage of daylight.
Use natural sunlight when possible and turn lights off when classrooms, gyms and auditoriums are not in use.
AT SCHOOL - STUDENTS
78 Encourage my school, college or university to take conservation seriously.
79 Be a role model for good conservation.
You have the power to influence classmates, friends and family.
80 Make my school leadership aware of energy waste, wherever and whenever I spot it at school or on campus.
78 Encourage my school, college or university to take conservation seriously.
79 Be a role model for good conservation.
You have the power to influence classmates, friends and family.
80 Make my school leadership aware of energy waste, wherever and whenever I spot it at school or on campus.
AT WORK - EMPLOYERS
81 Train myself or an employee to become an Energy Conservation Officer.
Making conservation someone’s responsibility will set your business on the path of saving energy.
82 Participate in an OPA commercial demand response program.
Your company can benefit even more from your efforts to conserve. Learn more at everykilowattcounts.ca.
83 Organize conservation learning opportunities for the people who work with me.
Educate and encourage employees who identify and implement energy savings.
84 Reward the people who work with me for their innovative, money-saving ideas.
Celebrate the implementation of successful energy efficiency measures.
85 Ensure meeting rooms are equipped with light switches.
86 Install light emitting diodes (LEDs) in suitable 24-hour-use locations.
Consider them for elevators, hallways and parking garages.
87 Replace my incandescent or fluorescent EXIT signs with LED EXIT signs.
88 Install high-quality electronic ballasts along with T8 florescent tubes.
89 Install new high-performance chillers.
This will improve the performance of your building’s air conditioning system.
90 Use modular load control technology.
This technology can reduce energy use by briefly cycling off electricity demand.
91 Install effective automatic door closers.
Doors can’t save energy if they’re not closed!
81 Train myself or an employee to become an Energy Conservation Officer.
Making conservation someone’s responsibility will set your business on the path of saving energy.
82 Participate in an OPA commercial demand response program.
Your company can benefit even more from your efforts to conserve. Learn more at everykilowattcounts.ca.
83 Organize conservation learning opportunities for the people who work with me.
Educate and encourage employees who identify and implement energy savings.
84 Reward the people who work with me for their innovative, money-saving ideas.
Celebrate the implementation of successful energy efficiency measures.
85 Ensure meeting rooms are equipped with light switches.
86 Install light emitting diodes (LEDs) in suitable 24-hour-use locations.
Consider them for elevators, hallways and parking garages.
87 Replace my incandescent or fluorescent EXIT signs with LED EXIT signs.
88 Install high-quality electronic ballasts along with T8 florescent tubes.
89 Install new high-performance chillers.
This will improve the performance of your building’s air conditioning system.
90 Use modular load control technology.
This technology can reduce energy use by briefly cycling off electricity demand.
91 Install effective automatic door closers.
Doors can’t save energy if they’re not closed!
AT WORK- EMPLOYEES
92 Turn off meeting room lights when not in use.
In the summer, unnecessary lighting can increase air conditioning load.
93 Dim, turn off or remove lights near windows in the daytime.
Use efficient task lighting where needed.
94 Use the stairs instead of taking the elevator, if I am able.
It not only saves energy, it’s good exercise.
95 Unplug coffeemakers, toasters and microwaves.
Make sure they’re unplugged on weekends and before shutting the office down for the holidays.
96 Keep entrance doors closed.
97 Use the revolving doors into my office building.
Revolving doors keep heat and cool air inside.
98 Use standby mode for computers and copiers.
These tend to be in use only a fraction of the time they are turned on.
99 Turn all equipment off at the end of the day.
This includes lights, copiers, computers and computer monitors.
100 Use paper-reducing strategies.
Consider double-sided printing, re-using paper, and using e-mail instead of mailing or faxing documents.
92 Turn off meeting room lights when not in use.
In the summer, unnecessary lighting can increase air conditioning load.
93 Dim, turn off or remove lights near windows in the daytime.
Use efficient task lighting where needed.
94 Use the stairs instead of taking the elevator, if I am able.
It not only saves energy, it’s good exercise.
95 Unplug coffeemakers, toasters and microwaves.
Make sure they’re unplugged on weekends and before shutting the office down for the holidays.
96 Keep entrance doors closed.
97 Use the revolving doors into my office building.
Revolving doors keep heat and cool air inside.
98 Use standby mode for computers and copiers.
These tend to be in use only a fraction of the time they are turned on.
99 Turn all equipment off at the end of the day.
This includes lights, copiers, computers and computer monitors.
100 Use paper-reducing strategies.
Consider double-sided printing, re-using paper, and using e-mail instead of mailing or faxing documents.
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