Green Grilling and Your Summer BBQ

Summer and barbecues go hand in hand. Unfortunately, your backyard barbecue can cause harmful carbon emissions, especially when used improperly or with outdated equipment. Thankfully, new technology offers options for a lower carbon footprint so that we can happily enjoy the summer barbecue season. Below, find our top tips for having an eco-friendly barbecue.  

If you are in the market for a new grill:

• Consider an electric grill. They are an economical option and release 99 per cent less carbon monoxide and 91 per cent less CO₂ than grilling with traditional charcoal.
• A natural gas grill is also a good option. Natural gas burns as the cleanest fossil fuel, with a lower carbon footprint than propane.
• An infrared grill is a good investment if you are willing to spend a bit more. They heat quickly, decrease smoke emissions by up to 80 per cent and use 50 per cent less gas.

 If you already have a barbecue:

• Select cleaner burning fuels. For charcoal grills, look for organic or natural lump brands. Liquid petroleum gas is an even better alternative as it emits one hundred times less CO₂ than the average charcoal briquette. Avoid lighter fluids and self-lighting charcoals, as these fuels release chemicals into the atmosphere.  
• Don’t preheat too long. Most grills only take five or ten minutes to warm up. Keep track of time and conserve your fuel and energy.
• Clean your grill regularly. A clean grill means less smoke and less pollution.
• Use an all-natural grill cleaner green to scrub down your grill when the party is over.
• Avoid disposable dishes. Use reusable cutlery and washable cloths instead of napkins. If you have to use paper plates, look for biodegradable or  recycled eco-friendly options.

 Do you have any tips we’ve missed? Please share in the comments. 

Keep your Summer Holiday Green

If you are getting away for a holiday this summer, follow these tips to help your home save energy while you are away.

• Turn up your thermostat to 29 degrees. (If you are leaving pets at home, leave it at a comfortable temperature for them). Experts agree that the energy saved from turning your thermostat up in the summer while you're away is greater than the energy used to cool your house back down after you return.
• Close window blinds and shades to block out the sun's heat. A lot of indoor heat simply comes from the rays of the sun though the windows.
• Avoid wasting energy on unused electronics while you're away by unplugging them—including hand-held electronics that might be charging, such as phones, MP3 players, chargers, and even laptops.
• Aside from one or two lights that you may want to leave on for safety, make sure everything else is turned off—all lights, ceiling fans, your radio and appliances.

Cool Ways to Save Infographic

Cool Ways to Save with ENERGY STAR infographic

Cool Summer Tips

The summer heat is here and no one wants to think about their energy bills rising with the temperature. It's time to think about how to manage your home energy use. Here are some cooling tips that can help make a big difference in saving energy and money.

•  Program your thermostat to work around your family's summer schedule. Set it a few degrees higher when no one is home, so that the AC isn’t cooling an empty house. Look into upgrading to a SmartStat smart thermostat to help maximize your energy efficiency.
• Check your HVAC system's air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it. A dirty filter will slow airflow and make the system work harder to keep you cool, wasting energy.
• Remember to have your HVAC system serviced annually to ensure it's running at optimum efficiency for money and energy savings. When you upgrade your AC with National Home Services, we provide free annual maintenance and cleaning. How convenient is that?
• If your central AC is old, look into replacing it with a model that is ENERGY STAR qualified. By replacing your old air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR qualified model, you can realize substantial savings in electricity costs. Today's ENERGY STAR qualified units use 30 to 40 percent less energy than most models sold 10 to 15 years ago. Click here for more information about how easy it is to rent a new energy efficient central air conditioner.

Water Heater FAQs

Why choose an ENERGY STAR qualified water heater?


According to Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency, the energy efficiency of water heaters is important because the typical Canadian household uses hot water every day. In fact, water heaters can account for more than 20 percent of a household’s total annual energy consumption.

Look for products that display the ENERGY STAR symbol. An ENERGY STAR label identifies the most efficient water heater models. They have been tested according to prescribed procedures and meet or exceed high energy efficiency levels without compromising performance.
Selecting an ENERGY STAR qualified model that can reliably meet a household’s needs will result in significant cost savings over the life of the equipment. An ENERGY STAR qualified water heater will also help the environment because the less energy we use, the fewer greenhouse gas emissions are produced. 

For more information about ENERGY STAR qualified water heaters you can visit oee.nrcan.gc.ca and nationalhomeservices.ca

10 Eco Friendly Things To Do On Canada Day

What better way to celebrate our nation's big day than to treat it right with eco friendly activities. We here at National Home Services want you and your family to make the most out of your holiday, that being said, it should also be cost effective and environmentally friendly! (It’s kind of our thing) That’s why we have put together a list of 10 eco friendly activities for you and your family.

1. Go Camping
Pack up your stuff, hop in the car and head out to one of Ontario’s beautiful campgrounds. Some options are the Cedar Park Resort in Hampton, or Ponderosa Camp Ground in Mount Albert. Don’t forget the bug spray, and, more importantly, the marshmallows.

2. Visit a Provincial Park
Take a chance this weekend to visit a provincial park. They are the perfect place to take in the sights and sounds of nature, and an even better venue for a date.

3. Start your Garden
The weekend is calling for good weather, so why not get out there and start on that garden you have been staring at since the start of spring.

4. Family Bike Ride
Whether you are taking on The Ontario Bicycling Route, or just taking a lap of the neighborhood with friends and family, biking is an eco friendly way to enjoy the beauty of summer and get some exercise.

5. Start a Compost
Grab any extra wetted organic matter (leaves, “green” food waste) and start composting. This is a great way to teach the kids about the importance of recycling material, and will act as great fertilizer for your garden.

6. Go for a Hike
For some of the best trails Ontario has to offer, make your way to the Algonquin Provincial Park Trails where you can see 45 species of mammals, 138 breeding birds and a variety of plants, trees and fungi.

7. Organize a Park Clean Up
Give back to your community and organize a park clean up on Canada Day. It is a great precursor for a block party, and I like to think of it as a mini spa treatment for Canada.

8. Visit the Farmers Market
Head out to the local farmers' market and purchase some organic products to support local vendors and, of course, the environment.

9. Spend Time in your Backyard
Organize a barbeque with family and friends. Soak up the sun with great food and refreshments while the kids play in the yard.

10. Organize a Treasure Hunt
Make a list of some unique spots in your neighborhood, and embark on a treasure hunt with the family. Don’t forget to enjoy the time with your family.

How does Air Conditioning actually work?

It's that time of year again, when many people are feeling grateful for central air conditioning. It's great to have a cool retreat when it's hot outside, but how does that air conditioner actually work? Today, we'll explore how a typical central air system in a residential home cools the air.

1. The typical central air conditioning system is a split system, with an outdoor component, the compressor bearing unit, and an indoor component, the coil which is usually installed on top of the furnace. 
2. The outdoor compressor pumps refrigerant through the system which gathers heat and humidity from inside the house. 
3. This warm air is blown over the cool indoor coils, cooling the air and transferring the heat to the coils. 
4. The cooled air is pumped back through the home and the heat that has transferred to the coil is pumped outside. 

Did you know...

• In addition to keeping your home cool, this method of air conditioning also removed excess moisture from the air and reduces the humidity in your home? 
• Your air conditioner actually cleans the air in your home? As the air is pulled through the return air ducts, it goes through a filter, which removes dust, lint and microscopic pollutants.