11 Best Energy-Saving Home Renovations

Home renovations are more popular than ever, driven by government rebates, the desire to cut energy bills, and a growing focus on environmental responsibility.

In this article, we’ll discuss the top energy-saving home renovations that are making a big impact this year. These changes can offer significant benefits for both your wallet and the planet.

1. Seal Ductwork to Prevent Energy Loss

When ducts are not properly sealed, air can leak out, causing your heating and cooling system to work harder, resulting in up to 20% more energy consumption. 

Duct sealing involves identifying leaks in the duct system and applying sealant or metal tape to close those gaps. Sealing materials, like mastic or foil tape, cover visible cracks, holes, and seams in the ductwork

A professional duct leakage test will need about 20–30 minutes of preparation, with the actual test lasting another 20–25 minutes. The cost for a detailed analysis is typically around $99, and this test thoroughly explains how much air is escaping from your ducts.

2. Install an Electric Air-Source Heat Pump

Air-source heat pumps transfer heat from the outside air into your home, even in cold temperatures. Instead of burning fuel like traditional furnaces, they use electricity to move heat, which is far more energy-efficient.

Standard electric heating systems, such as furnaces, typically consume 10 to 50 kilowatts daily, while an ASHP uses around 6 to 10 kWh daily. That’s a significant drop in energy consumption.

While ground-source, geothermal, and water-source heat pumps can provide the most savings, they aren’t affordable for everyone. That’s where air-source heat pumps (ASHP) come in as a practical and efficient alternative.

An air-to-air heat pump, excluding hot water, can cut heating costs by 30–50%. In other words, it can potentially halve your heating bills.

In Canada, more than 80% of electricity comes from renewable sources or nuclear energy. Operating a heat pump here often doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, making it an environmentally friendly and economical option.

3. Switch to Energy-Efficient LED Lighting

A 9-watt LED produces the same amount of light (800 lumens) as a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb. In fact, ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last at least 15 times longer.

With LED bulbs costing between $3 and $10 each, depending on the type, the initial investment pays off quickly through energy savings and reduced replacement costs.

Let’s say your home has eight bulbs, and you replace all of them with 9-watt LED bulbs. If you were using 60-watt incandescent bulbs, your total energy consumption for those eight bulbs would be 480 watts (60 watts x 8 bulbs). With LEDs, this drops to just 72 watts (9 watts x 8 bulbs).

Assuming the lights are on for 5 hours per day, with incandescent bulbs, you would be using 2.4 kWh per day (480 watts x 5 hours / 1000), while with LED bulbs, you’d only use 0.36 kWh per day (72 watts x 5 hours / 1000). Over a year, that’s a reduction from 876 kWh (with incandescent) to just 131.4 kWh (with LEDs).

At an average electricity cost of $0.192 per kWh in Canada, the cost for incandescent bulbs would be about $168 per year, while the LED equivalent would cost just $25.22. That’s a savings of around $142.78 per year for just eight bulbs.

4. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows

Energy-efficient windows are a great way to improve your home’s insulation and reduce heating and cooling costs, helping you save an average of 12% on your energy bills.

Here are some ways to improve energy efficiency for windows:

• Caulking and Weatherstripping: These simple, affordable fixes can help seal gaps around windows to prevent drafts and air leaks. Even small openings can let in enough cold air to make your heating system work harder, so sealing them can lead to noticeable energy savings.
• Gas Fills: Many energy-efficient windows have gases like argon or krypton between the panes. These gases are denser than air, improving insulation and preventing heat transfer, making your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.
• Glazing: Adding a special coating to window glass, known as low-emissivity (low-e) glazing, helps reflect heat into the room in winter and block it in the summer. This enhances the window’s ability to regulate your home’s temperature.
• Window Design: The overall energy efficiency of a window or skylight depends more on its design than the material. Look for windows with multiple panes, low-e coatings, and thermal breaks, all of which contribute to better insulation and energy savings.

Installing awnings over windows can further boost energy efficiency. Awnings block direct sunlight from entering your home, reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer.

5. Convert to a Heat Pump Water Heater

If you’re currently using traditional methods like electric resistance, gas, or oil to heat your water, switching to a Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) could lead to significant energy savings. A heat pump water heater extracts heat from the air around it and transfers that heat to the water.

HPWHs are especially beneficial for households looking to cut down on water heating costs, which typically account for a large portion of a home’s energy bill.

Source: https://www.energystar.gov/products/ask-the-experts/heat-pump-water-heater-right-your-home

Although the initial cost ranges between $1,500 and $3,000, the annual fuel cost is far lower than other heating options, averaging $104–$160. Over time, the savings makeup more than the upfront investment.

6. Install Solar Panels for Clean Energy

Solar panels can produce significant savings, especially during the sunny months when energy consumption is often higher due to air conditioning use.

The average Canadian household uses about 11,135 kWh of electricity per year. For every 1,000 kWh generated by solar panels, the average Canadian home can save around CA$1,920.

This means that, depending on your location and system size, you can save thousands annually while also reducing your carbon footprint.

7. Add Extra Insulation for Enhanced Comfort

According to the EPA, properly insulating homes can save homeowners an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs—or about 11% on total energy costs.

Insulation works by trapping air in tiny pockets within its material, creating a barrier that slows heat transfer. In winter, it keeps heat inside your home, reducing the energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature. In summer, it blocks outdoor heat from entering, so your air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard.

You can also check for federal or municipal rebates, such as the Greener Homes Grant, which provides financial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades. Check out all Canadian government rebates for this year.

8. Draft-Proof Your Home

Draft-proofing your home means sealing gaps, cracks, or openings that let cold air in during winter and warm air in summer.

Here are a few ways to draft-proof your house:

1. Seal Windows and Doors: Use weatherstripping or caulk around windows and doors to block air leaks. Door sweeps are also effective for preventing drafts from entering underneath exterior doors.
2. Install Foam or Rubber Strips: Apply foam or rubber insulation strips to areas where windows and doors meet their frames. These materials compress to fill gaps and prevent drafts.
3. Insulate Electrical Outlets and Switches: Air can leak through electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls. To reduce drafts, use foam gaskets behind outlet and switch covers.
4. Use Draft Stoppers: Place draft stoppers or “draft snakes” along the bottoms of doors and windows to block airflow.
5. Caulk Gaps in Walls and Floors: Cracks or gaps in walls, floors, or around pipes can allow drafts into your home. Caulk or foam sealants can close these gaps and prevent air leakage.

Add Door Closers: Installing door closers on frequently used exterior doors can help ensure they close fully and prevent drafts from slipping through.

9. Modernize Your Kitchen with Energy-Saving Appliances

Upgrading to ENERGY STAR® certified appliances is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption in your kitchen.

When modernizing your kitchen, it’s best to begin with the appliances that consume the most energy. Below is a list of common kitchen appliances, their average wattage, and the cost to run them based on the average electricity rate in Canada of $0.192 per kWh.

10. Smart Devices: Thermostats, Power Strips, and Sprinklers

Smart devices and home automation provide better control and optimization of everyday tasks. These devices help reduce energy waste and ultimately lower your bills.

Here are some available smart devices:

• Smart Thermostats: Smart thermostats allow you to remotely control your home’s temperature via an app or voice assistant. They learn your habits and adjust heating and cooling based on your preferences and daily schedule. 
• Smart Power Strips: Many electronic devices continue to draw power even when turned off, a phenomenon known as standby power consumption, which accounts for 5 to 10% of a household’s electricity bill. Smart power strips address this by cutting off power to devices that are not in use. 
• Smart Sprinklers: Smart sprinkler systems allow you to control your lawn watering schedule based on real-time weather data. If it’s raining, your sprinklers won’t run unnecessarily, conserving water and energy.

11. Repair or Replace Your Roof for Better Efficiency

If your roof needs repair or replacement, consider opting for “cool roofs.” These roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofing materials.

Cool roofs use materials with high thermal emittance, meaning they can efficiently release absorbed heat. The great news is that cool roofing products often cost about the same as conventional materials.

White roofing products are highly effective at reflecting sunlight, bouncing back about 60 – 90% of the sun’s rays. In contrast, conventional roofs can absorb so much heat that they reach temperatures as high as 150°F (about 65°C). Under the same conditions, a cool, reflective roof can stay cooler than 50°F.

Conclusion

The focus on energy efficiency now goes beyond individual savings; it’s part of a larger movement toward sustainability and resilience. 

The real value lies in creating homes that are both eco-friendly and capable of handling future energy challenges.