Last Minute Eco-Friendly Holiday Ideas

It is the season for giving! Here at National Home Services, we were thrilled with the results of our Holiday Toy Drive for SickKids Hospital. During this time of giving, we try our best to remember to be green whenever possible. We are delivering our donations unwrapped but, one of the biggest areas of holiday waste is in packaging and wrapping.

Check out our tips to reduce the amount of packaging and wrapping you use.

• Try out reusable wrapping ideas, like cloth bags, baskets and boxes.
• Recycle your newspapers, brown paper bags or Christmas flyers into wrapping paper.
• Instead of sending Christmas cards, send e-cards to your friends and loved ones.
• Bring your own bags when shopping. Keep them in your purse or car so they are nearby when needed.
• Think about alternative gifts that require no wrapping, like theatre tickets, museum passes, or gift certificates.
• Give homemade gifts like these Gifts in a Jar. Check here for more recipes.

If everyone in Canada wrapped just three gifts in reused paper or gift bags, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 hockey rinks!

Be Bright: Light Smart!

Be bright and light smart this holiday season!

Here at National Home Services, we are big fans of ENERGY STAR qualified products. Did you know ENERGY STAR qualified decorative lights consume 70% less energy than conventional light strands? Updating outdoor holiday lighting to ENERGY STAR LEDs could save you over $50 per year for the average sized household! They also stay cool to the touch, making your lights safer and reducing fire risks. For more information, check out Natural Resource Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency information on energy efficient lighting. Keep reading for more smart lighting tips:

• Avoid leaving indoor and outdoor decorative lights on all day and night. 

• Put your seasonal lights on a timer to enjoy in the evening and to lower your energy consumption. Not only will you save energy, automatic timers remove the hassle of plugging and unplugging your lights every night. They also make sure you never miss a night and forget to turn on the lights. 

• Set lights to switch on at 7 pm during weekdays to avoid electricity peak hours.

•  Remember to turn off holiday lighting when you leave home for extended periods of time.

• Candles can set a beautiful mood at holiday events and family gatherings. Get creative! Placing mirrors behind a group of candles or underneath a centrepiece reflects the light and creates a warm glow.

With these tips, enjoy an energy-saving holiday season that is merry and bright!

8 Tips to Curb Your Waste

The Holiday season is here! Whether your plans include hosting or traveling, use our 8 tips to curb your waste and your carbon footprint. 

1. Take inventory on the pantry. If you can avoid a trip to the store, you'll save time, fuel and money. 
2. When you've used up an ingredient, make sure to rinse the container and recycle. 
3. If you are cooking the turkey in an aluminum pan, don't throw it away! By clearing it of all food waste and rinsing it out, you may be able to recycle it instead. As always, be sure to check with your city to make sure. 
4. Serve cans of beer without fear. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and easier to process than glass. Consider making the switch to cans this season. 
5. Pack the freezer with your leftover turkey and fixings instead of throwing away. The fuller the freezer, the more efficient it becomes. Save energy and prevent food waste from heading to the landfill. 
6. Don't want leftover dry goods to go stale? Consider sharing your extra food with the less fortunate this season. Prevent food waste by helping someone in need. Donate to a food bank or shelter. 
7. Holiday traffic is the worst! Spare yourself the trouble and hit the road early. Stop-and-go driving adds wear and tear to your vehicle and the environment. Beat the rush and do them both a favour. 
8. Give the host or hostess a real gift, not extra trash. Wrap presents in recyclable or reusable materials. 

Happy Holidays! Good luck managing your "waste" line this year! 

Indoor Humidity - What is the ideal level for your home?

The humidity level in your home is important for your skin, throat and overall health, but did you know that it is also vital to the health of your home? If the humidity level dips too low, furniture can deteriorate and certain germs will thrive.  What humidity level should you keep in your home for ideal comfort and indoor air quality? 

For optimal comfort and health, studies show that indoor humidity moisture levels should be in the range of 35% to 50%. 

During the winter, the humidity level drops because cold air holds less moisture than warm air. Forced air heating increases dryness because furnaces use combustion to create heat which burns out most of the water vapour from the hot air. To make matters worse, when humidity levels dip the air feels cooler than more humid environments, and we turn up the heat to compensate.

Low humidity causes static electricity, dry skin and hair, increased susceptibility to colds and respiratory illness, and can allow viruses and germs to thrive. Wood floors, furniture and millwork can split and crack. Adding a humidifier to your home can help with these problems. There are three standard methods for adding humidity to your home: 

• Evaporation: Adding moisture to the air is as simple as placing a container of water near a radiator or other air heating system. Leaving wet towels and clothes out to dry is another ways to introduce moisture into the air. This is a very low-tech and low power method, and won't have a big effect on the indoor humidity level. 

• Portable/Room: The most common type of humidifier is a portable one. There are two types: cool mist and warm mist, both of which use a a reservoir to hold water. The pros of portable systems are that they are easy to use, a variety of styles and prices are available, and they can be moved as needed. However, similar to the evaporative method above, control and measure of relative humidity is limited, and the reservoir must be refilled about every 24 hours.

• Whole House: This is the most controllable humidity system. A whole house humidifier is added to a furnace. Vapour is distributed directly into the heated air and circulated throughout the house via the furnace duct system. Humidity levels are controlled via a humidistat, and the method has the greatest humidification capacity and is most consistent.

FIve Savings Tips for Your Heating Bill

You don't have to suffer the cold to save on your heating bill. Try our 5 tips to save on your heating bill, be more energy efficient, and stay cozy and comfortable at the same time. 

1. Use a programmable thermostat. We've talked about thermostats before. Click HERE to read more. Program your thermostat to match your schedule. To maximize savings without sacrificing comfort, program the thermostat to lower the heat by 5ºC or more when you are away from home and save about $180 per year! 
2. Insulate and seal leaks. Use caulk, spray foam and weather striping to insulate against winter heat loss. Check out our tips HERE and HERE. Install a door sweep to seal the gap between the bottom of the door and the frame to stop your warm air from escaping. 
3. Check your system's wire filter every month. If it's dirty, change it. Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating system failure and a dirty filter makes your furnace work harder, wasting energy. 
4. Use a space heater. Radiant heaters direct exactly where you want it. Warm your immediate surroundings and turn down the temperature on your thermostat to cut your energy usage. 
5. If your system is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient ENERGY STAR certified model. Learn more about energy efficient furnaces HERE. 

Top 3 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Last week we covered what your carbon footprint is and how to calculate it. (Read that post here). Today we'll go over our top 3 ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Transportation accounts for a big portion of your  carbon footprint. Try to take the most energy efficient methods of travel whenever possible: biking, walking, or carpooling.
2. Home energy use is the next largest portion of your carbon footprint. Try setting your thermostat at a moderate temperature to lower energy costs. Better yet, install a smart thermostat like the SmartStat. The SmartStat pays attention to how you consume energy while factoring in the size of your home, number of occupants and type of HVAC system you use to maximize your energy efficiency.
3. Choose energy efficient appliances for your home. There are many resources to help you learn more about energy efficient home products. Check the Energy Star in Canada website  or read more about energy efficient home home equipment here. A more energy efficient home will lower your utility bills and reduce the emissions that cause climate change.

What is Your Carbon Footprint?

Our daily activities such as driving back and forth to work, using heat, and the consumption of food and goods causes many polluting gases to be emitted into the atmosphere. For simplicity, these gases are usually referred to in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide produced.

Your carbon footprint is the measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide you produce through these normal daily activities. These harmful emissions contribute to climate change. People concerned about the environment and global warming can try to reduce their carbon footprint by increasing their energy efficiency.

A great way to start is to take stock and calculate your current carbon footprint. Once you know the size of your carbon footprint, you can begin thinking about strategies to reduce or offset it. Just Energy offers a free carbon calculator for individuals, households or companies. Take a look here to find out your carbon footprint: Carbon Calculator.

In our next post, we'll take a look at the top 3 ways to change your habits and reduce your carbon footprint.

Feeling Haunted By Your Monthly Utility Charges?

The Benefits of Renting Your Water Heater

Many homeowners in Ontario choose the comfort and convenience of renting their water heating equipment. What are the benefits of renting your hot water tank?

Learn more about how to rent your water heater at nationalhomeservices.ca. 

Green Home How Tos: Detecting and Sealing Air Leaks

Reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home is a cost-effective way to cut your heating and cooling costs, increase comfort, and create a healthier indoor environment. Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective air-sealing techniques that are easy to do and offer quick returns on investment. We've already covered weatherstripping in a previous post.

Today we'll talk more generally about how to find the source of air leaks in your home. Areas that leak air into and out of your home cost you a lot of money. The areas listed in the illustration are the most common sources of air leaks.

TIPS FOR SEALING AIR LEAKS

• Test your home for air tightness. On a windy day, carefully hold a lit incense stick or a smoke pen next to your windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches, and other places where air may leak. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leak that may need caulking, sealing, or weatherstripping.

• Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on walls.

• Look for dirty spots on your ceiling paint and carpet, which may indicate air leaks at interior wall/ceiling joints and wall/floor joists, and caulk them.

• Cover single-pane windows with storm windows or replace them with more efficient double-pane low- emissivity windows. 

• Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.

• Cover your kitchen exhaust fan to stop air leaks when not in use.

• Keep the fireplace flue damper tightly closed when not in use.

• Seal air leaks around fireplace chimneys, furnaces, and gas-fired water heater vents with fire-resistant materials such as sheet metal or sheetrock and furnace cement caulk.

Hope these tips will help you keep your home clean, green and energy efficient! 

Make Your Home Energy Efficient - Weatherstripping

Articles and brochures about energy efficiency often recommend checking your home's sealing and weatherstripping to ensure they are not leaking or creating drafts, letting heat escape and wasting energy and money. However, we've noticed that they usually don't take the time to explain to homeowners how to actually check for air leaks or do any of the required work . Over the next few posts, we'll be examining what homeowners can do themselves with step by step, easy to follow guides. 

First up, weatherstripping. 
What is it and how does it work? 

Weatherstripping stops air leaks by sealing cracks and gaps in the movable parts of your home, such as windows and doors. 

How is weatherstripping different from caulking? 

It is simple. Weatherstripping is used for moving parts like openable windows, while caulk is the appropriate material for filling cracks and gaps in unmoving parts of your home. 

How do I choose which kind of weatherstripping to install? 

Evaluate the areas of your home that need weatherstripping and choose a type that will last through the areas weather and potential temperature changes, as well as the wear and tear associated with its location. Choose a product for each specific location. Felt and open-cell foams tend to be inexpensive, susceptible to weather, visible, and inefficient at blocking airflow. However, the ease of applying these materials may make them valuable in low-traffic areas. Vinyl, which is slightly more expensive, holds up well and resists moisture. Metals last for years and are affordable. Metal weatherstripping can also provide a nice touch to older homes where vinyl might seem out of place.

How do I apply the weatherstripping? 

To determine how much you will need, measure the perimeter of all the windows and doors you plan on weatherstripping and add 5 to 10 per cent more to account for any waste or mistakes. Consult the instructions on the weatherstripping package. Here are a few extra tips: 

• Always apply to a clean and dry surface
• Apply one continuous strip on each side. That means- measure carefully before you cut. 
• Select a thickness that causes the weatherstripping to press tightly between the door and door jamb, but doesn't make it too difficult to shut. 

For more information and an informative chart detailing where to install which type of weatherstripping, check out http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/weatherstripping. 

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

As the temperature drops and the season changes from summer to fall, homeowners have a new batch of chores and challenges to face. To prepare for winter, there are a few things you can do now to help your home be as ecofriendly as possible.

• It is a great time to tidy up the yard and clean out your gutters before winter comes. Put your raked leaves and other yard waste in a compost bin and keep these materials out of landfills.
• Be prepared. Find out if maintenance is required to keep your heating system operating efficiently and schedule a service call before the busy season starts.
• Keep out drafts by sealing leaky windows. You can use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months.
• Fall is the best time to clean the chimney and get vent systems checked. Pipes must be properly connected and there should be no signs of rust or damage.
• If you have a window air conditioner unit, it is time to remove it for the winter. If the AC must stay in place, seal it with caulking or tape and cover with an airtight insulated jacket.
• Winterize your home by caulking and weather-stripping all doors and windows. Check caulking around windows and do touch ups to reduce drafts and conserve energy. If you have questions about how to do this properly, check back here next week for our next post on how to install weather-stripping and caulking.

Happy fall to all of our customers and readers! Enjoy this beautiful season!

Renewable Energy Explained

You see and hear this term all over the place, but what does it really mean? What is renewable energy and what makes it a green energy option? Read our quick explanation below, and be prepared to impress your friends with your new knowledge. 

Renewable energy comes from resources which are continually replenished, such as the wind or the sun. Generally, renewable energy has a much lower carbon footprint than traditional methods of energy production, such as the burning of fossil fuels. Energy from fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas, come from finite sources that will eventually run out. Collection and burning of fossil fuels also releases harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Renewable energy resources and significant opportunities for energy efficiency exist over wide geographical areas, in contrast to other energy sources, which are concentrated in a limited number of countries.

What are the different forms of renewable energy? Solar power and wind power are two of the most popular forms of renewable energy available on the market today. However, there are other renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power, bioenergy, hydrogen conversion, ocean energy and geothermal energy. 

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.