Hydro Rates to Surge This Summer – Conserve Energy with Window Upgrades
Winter 2015 /2016 was much warmer than expected and so, homeowners used less energy than predicted. As a result, some energy companies in North America suffered financial loss by pricing energy too low to cover their costs. The lack of volume for electricity use caused a discrepancy between the actual cost of producing the energy and the price it was sold at. This has left many power companies with a financial shortfall to recover. What is their recovery strategy? They plan on charging homeowners more for each unit of energy consumed over the summer and following months. To stay one step ahead of surging energy costs this summer, here are some ways to make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible with the following upgrade tips.
Replacing Old, Drafty Windows
There are major differences between energy star certified windows and non-certified windows in Ottawa that homeowners should be aware of when it comes to energy emissions. On average, homes with single-pane windows can benefit from a replacement with an Energy Star product with a savings between $125 and $465 every single year. That will vary from region to region and depends on how many windows are replaced. The savings for replacing double-pane windows is just around 25% of the above mentioned amount.
Other Saving Opportunities To Consider
Besides replacing the window or repairing it, other opportunities can be considered such as window insulation. Energy Star highlights the fact that you also need to check the home for potential leaks in cooling ducts and heating ducts. Look at the doors and see if there are cracks present. In most situations you want to replace windows – but not all.
How Are Hydro Rates Expected To Rise?
In some areas across North America hydro rates are expected to rise by an average of 2.5% for houses using an average of 750 kilowatt hours per month. Time of use will still make a difference so being careful about when you are consuming most power is important. Do laundry in the evenings for example and avoid blasting the air conditioning while you are away for extended periods, for example during work hours. There are a lot of home automation devices that allow households to temper their power consumption. Consider looking into devices with programmable energy consumption features and those that can accommodate scheduled use times.
Conclusions
The bottom line is that you need to think about all the options that are available when you want to lower your energy bills. Replacing the windows in your home is definitely not the only option but it is a good one to consider, not just for this summer but in the long-run. Windows are more vulnerable to heat and cooling loss than any other part of a home. A simple crack in the seal can lead towards a much higher energy bill.