HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-10-19, Page 1616 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Four. ways to cash in on home .improvement
News Canada
Make every cent you put
into your home count by
making improvements that
have a strong return on
investment. Before you begin
any renovation, plan ahead to
get the most out of your
money. Shop around to
ensure you get the best price
on materials and labour, and
know what you want your end
result to look like before get- Until the end of March tion include: you want to add value to your
ting started, to avoid adds- 2012, homeowners are eligi- • Attic upgrade, $750 home, a finished basement
tional costs. ble to receive grants of up to • Exterior wall, $1,875_ can make all the difference.
Whether you're working $5,000 to make energy-effi- • Overhang/floor above Hire a contractor to reap the
within a tight budget or pre- cient upgrades. Past partici- unheated space, $190_ most from the remodel and
pared to invest a sizeable pants in the program have • Basement, $1,250_ properly insulate the area to
amount, the Government of saved up to 20 per cent on •
, Crawls ace
p $1,000 keep moisture and air leaks
Canada makes updating your their energy bills. Take full advantage of this at bay.
hone easier and cost-effi- Some of the major savings grant opportunity and con- • Additional storage
dent by renewing the ecoliN- from the ecohNERGY grants sider the following home space --Insulate crawl'spaces
ERGY Retrofit - Homes pro- come from applying for ode- projects to give your home within your home to provide
gram from June 6, 2011, to quate home insulation. The value an extra boost: a moisture -free storage
March 31, 2012. maximum grants for insula- • Finished basement --If space.
Now is the time to look at your indoor projects for the Holidays!
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• Bathroom makeover ---
Provide your bathroom with
an updated look and new fix-
tures that help preserve
water. Install a double -flush
option toilet as additional
means to save on the next
utility bill.
More information on insu-
lating your home can he
found online at www.icynene.
corn,
u►u'ut neluscanada.com
How to pick the best
insulation for your home
Picking the right insulation
for your home is an impor-
tant decision. Make sure you
get all the facts before you
make your purchase. Some
insulation can lose up to 50
per cent of advertised R -value
once It's been installed. Buy-
ing insulation based on
R -value alone can cost you,
and improper installation
may harm your home by:
• Creating gaps where out-
door air leaks inside, making
it more difficult to heat and
cool the home;
• Reducing R -value if the
Insulation is compressed to
fit around electrical boxes
and outlets,
It's crucial for your home
and your bank account to
invest in insulation that will
maintain R -valor, stere are
three key features to look for
in your Insulation:
• Sag resistant -Insulation
can sag, settle or shrink as
your home ages, ('re'1111ng
gaps, thinning out the insula-
tion and losing It -value.
(;hoose an insulation that
adheres to framing to prevent
future issues.
• installs easily around
electrical outlets lithe insu-
lation doesn't fit tight spaces,
air Teaks can deplete 11 -value,
•.r
NC
Some types of insulation can lose up to 50 per cent of their
advertised R -value after Installation. Look for one that resists
settling or sagging and Installs easily in hard -to -insulate spaces
to form a complete air barrier.
Pick an insulation that works
in hard -to -insulate spaces.
• (Quick drying --Insulation
in attics is at risk of getting
wet if there is ever a roof leak.
Ensure your insulation can
manage moisture and dry
quickly 10 avoid merlin.
More 1nforma11on on
choosing the right insulation
for your home is a‘•;lil,thll'
online at evww.insul,►tiun.
mart.com.
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