Living in a country with four distinct seasons that include hot summers and cold winters, it’s inevitable that Canadians spend a great deal of household income on heating and cooling. In fact, in an average year Canadians spend close to $25 to $30 billion on energy in their homes, primarily for space heating and cooling and hot water. Predominant energy sources include electricity, natural gas, heating oil, propane, boiler systems, and even wood.
While spikes in energy consumption are seasonal, they remain energy intensive. They also vary by geographic location, home size, structure composition, energy source used and equipment in place to deliver it. In Ontario’s northern areas, the cost to heat and cool residential and light commercial properties remain significant.
Thankfully, there are ways to help reduce those costs. For example, making changes to the thermal envelope of the home (insulation upgrades, new doors and windows, etc.), or adopting energy saving behaviours (washing only full loads of dishes or laundry). According to the experts at DNM Heating and Cooling, another significant way to reduce costs and increase energy efficiency is to install the right energy-consuming heating and cooling products. Whether you’re thinking of improving your current systems or buying a home that may need upgrades, it’s important to know the choices available and whether they’re right for your property.
“Some people inherit boiler systems when buying a home,” said Steve Filioglou, Sales Manager for DNM Heating and Cooling. DNM is Sault Ste. Marie's top choice for plumbing, heating, cooling, home renovations, and more. “It can be very expensive to retro-fit a home by putting in a full duct system and gas or electric furnace.”
Cost, functionality, and efficiency are three of the deciding factors for many homeowners considering upgrades to their primary heating and cooling systems. However, given the efficiency of new products on the market, Filioglou said there are options that can pay for themselves in the long run by delivering annual savings on heating and cooling.
“For example, a lot of people are installing the hybrid heating systems,” said Filioglou. “So you might have a forced air system that runs through your ductwork, but rather than putting in central air conditioning they’re having the cold climate heat pumps put in.”
According to Filioglou, with the appropriate thermostat, these systems can be programmed to automatically switch between natural gas and the central heat pump based on the time of day and heating demands, ensuring peak efficiency.
“We’re seeing a lot of these types of systems being installed which is great. They’re both energy efficient, Energy Star rated, and they use furnaces manufactured in Canada,” he said. “For example, the system might activate the heat pump from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., then switch to natural gas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when it may be more cost-effective. This hybrid approach optimizes energy efficiency and reduces costs.”
Service teams from DNM Heating and Cooling operate in a wide area of Central North Eastern Ontario, with occasions calls being made to areas like Blind River, Chapleau and Wawa. Filioglou said the experts at DNM can help educate consumers on what system would work best in each individual area and for each customer’s needs and budget. For customers who may want to stick with their boiler systems, Filioglou said a lot of DNM customers are choosing a Combi option, which is a two in one system that heats and also provides on demand hot water.
“I always listen to the customer, but I am there to educate them as well. Nine times out of ten a customer with a boiler system will choose a Combi, which provides 95 percent efficiency for water heating and is Energy Star rated.
Right now, the Ontario government is offering made-in-Canada rebates of up to $1,000 on approved systems. Customers do require an energy audit be completed on their home before and after the installation of the new furnace, heat pump or air conditioning system. The pros at DNM can assist in connecting customers with the auditors who administer the grant system.
For more information, visit DNM Heating & Cooling online.