Greener home, more green in your wallet

Is it time for a greener home?

When we stand barefoot in an open field or on a beach, we feel energized. People sometimes call this “Earthing.” It means that when our skin comes in contact with the earth, we feel the electrons move through our bodies. Practicing Earthing can help us reduce inflammation in our bodies and fight diseases. Cool, right? The Earth is known to have a healing power, which we should work to help save. A major way for us to help preserve the green earth is by making our homes “greener.”

Get a home assessment

One of the first steps home owners should take when looking to make their homes more energy efficient is seeking the advice of an advisor. A Home Energy Assessment will determine the efficiency of the property and generate an EnerGuide Rating for the home. This will show which areas of the property need improving and the advisor will go over which upgrades will benefit the home owner the best. Energy advisors also have access to information on federal grants that can help ease the costs of upgrading to a greener home. Home owners can go to www.nrca.gc.ca to search for an NRCan-certified energy advisor to come out and do the evaluation.

Save on your mortgage insurance!

Mortgage insurance providers offer incentives for individuals purchasing green homes. You may be eligible for a partial refund of up to 25 per cent on the cost of your mortgage loan insurance. CMHC, Canada Guaranty, and Sagen (Formerly Genworth) each offer their own incentives. Check out their site at the links above for more information on these incentives!

Programs for home owners

Nova Scotia has many different programs to help home owners make their homes more energy-efficient. For home owners that are looking to build their new home, The New Home Construction program offers home owners will expert advice on improving the energy efficiency of the home. Once your property has been built, an advisor will review your property’s efficiency. This will help determine the amount of money you could receive in rebates for your greener home. For low-income home owners that may struggle with the costs of upgrading their property to become more energy efficient will benefit from the Home Warming program.

More about Efficiency Nova Scotia

Efficiency Nova Scotia will come out and assess the property. If you qualify, Efficiency Nova Scotia will seal holes and cracks, and upgrade insulation free of charge. Everyone should benefit from an energy-efficient home regardless of their income! Looking to upgrade appliances to more efficient ones? Efficiency Nova Scotia will pick up old appliances that are still working and recycle them properly. Upgrading appliances like fridges will save on electricity and grocery bills since they run cooler and keep food fresher. Moreover, Efficiency Nova Scotia will come out to your property to help install efficient lighting and water-saving appliances free of charge. This allows home owners to save money installing the products and products are usually free to homeowners.

Dolla Dolla Bills!

Upgrading your property to be more energy efficient can be very beneficial financially. Having a certified energy advisor assess your property and determine the efficiency will shine a light on where you can make improvements and save money. By adding ENERGY STAR® certified appliances and switching to renewable energy sources will not only save on your energy bills but will also contribute to a healthier planet. More information on how you can save money and make your property more energy-efficient can be found at www.efficiencyns.ca and Natural Resources Canada.

Help your home become more energy efficient so that you can have more green in your pocket! Give us a call at Clinton Wilkins Mortgage Team to see how we can help. You can get in touch with us here!