Better Homes Burlington - Home Upgrades

Heat Pumps | Air Source

Space heating accounts for 60% of the energy used in the average Canadian home. For propane, oil, and electrically heated homes, you may be able to reduce your heating costs by up to 50 per cent if you install an all-electric air-source heat pump while also reducing GHGs.

An air-source heat pump is an electrical device that uses the difference between outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your home.

Acting as a high-efficiency air conditioner in the summer, and a heater in the winter, an air-source heat pump uses a refrigerant that responds to temperature. In summer, a heat pump will move heat out of your home and release it outdoors. In fall, it brings heat into your home from outside, even when it’s chilly (0°C). Many homes can rely on these products to heat or cool their homes year-round.

Things to Consider

• Pair with a smart thermostat, to better manage your home’s energy use.
• When buying any heat pump, two ratings will help you determine the unit’s efficiency:
  • the Heating Seasonal Performance Factors (HSPF) that determines the efficiency during winter; and
  • the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is used for summer.
• In both cases the higher the number, the better the efficiency.
• An ENERGY STAR® certified air-source heat pump which use on average, 5% less energy than a standard model.
• Before you buy, get an EnerGuide home energy evaluation and check with your municipality, utility or retailer to see if there are any rebates available.

Cost

• Centrally-ducted: $14,500 - $22,000
• Hybrid system: $4,000 - $6,000+

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Heat Pumps | Ground Source

Ground-source heat pumps, also known as geothermal heat pumps, use the earth, groundwater or both to heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer, and supply hot water. Ground-source heat pumps are more effective at heating homes during Canadian winters and provide greater energy savings than air-source heat pumps because in the winter underground temperatures are higher than air temperatures.

Ground source heating produce less CO₂ than other forms of space heating systems.

Things to Consider

• Ground-source heat pumps are expensive and the installation process requires significant work and disruption to your garden, but they have a long life expectancy. The indoor components (the heat pump) typically last for 25 years, while the ground loops can last for more than 50 years.
• Ground source heat pumps will generally heat your unit at a slightly lower temperature than a traditional gas or electric unit
• Pair your heat pump with a smart thermostat, to better manage energy use.
• Service your pump at the end of the summer, before the next heating season
• Before you buy, get an EnerGuide home energy evaluation and check with your municipality, utility or retailer to see if there are any rebates available.

Cost

• $20,000 to $40,000

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Heat Pumps | Ductless Mini-Split

A ductless mini-split system is an energy-efficient heating and cooling system that doesn’t require ductwork, making them ideal for older electrically-heated homes and/or homes with no ductwork. Also known as ductless heat pumps, they take advantage of the difference in temperature between outdoor and indoor air to heat or cool a room. The temperature can be adjusted through a wall-mounted console, remote control or smartphone app. Ductless units require only a very small hole to be drilled into an exterior wall, making them less vulnerable to air leakage and security problems.

Mini-splits also avoid the energy losses associated with ductwork, which can account for more than 30 per cent of the energy used to heat or cool indoor air.

Things to Consider

• Pair with a smart thermostat, to better manage your home’s energy use.
• For installation, hire a professional heating and cooling technician who can determine the right product and size for your home and climate
• Before you buy, get an EnerGuide home energy evaluation and check with your municipality, utility or retailer to see if there are any rebates available.

Cost

• $4,000 to $6,000+ per unit

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Air Sealing

Air sealing impacts the building envelop of your home. The building envelop is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment, including the resistance to air, water, heat, light, and noise transfer. Older homes typically have more air leaks, around windows and doors, electrical outlets, and cracks in the foundation and walls. You can seal air leaks in your home with weather-stripping and caulking or by applying gaskets and tapes.

Things to Consider

• Be sure to check window glazing, thresholds and door/window frames and electrical outlets and switches as potential sources of air leakage.
• Choose premium caulks for durability. Practice running and smoothing beads before you do the actual job.
• Check the size and colour of doors and windows before purchasing weather-stripping to ensure you buy the right product. Adhesive-backed foams and tapes can lose their effectiveness over time so you may need to replace it every few years.
• Before you start your project get an EnerGuide home energy evaluation and check with your municipality, utility or retailer to see if there are any rebates available

Cost

$200 – $1,500

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