We all know that increasing the energy efficiency in our home leads to reductions in our fuel bills, but what about our "environmental bills"? Energy efficient housing makes even better sense as we learn more about how our use of fossil fuels are affecting the planet.
Climate change refers to the impact of human activity on our global climate. The main contributor is thought to be the release of GREENHOUSE GASSES (GHG), largely through burning fossil fuels. Heating and cooling homes with fossil fuels accounts for almost 27% of GHG produced each year in Nova Scotia.
The home is one place where nearly everyone can make a significant reduction in GHG production through inexpensive and simple measures such as reducing air leakage. Many homes in Nova Scotia were built before energy efficient housing techniques and materials were standard practice and probably use more fuel than they should for space and water heating. This means that both GHG production and energy bills are higher than they need to be.
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This project revolves around in-depth energy evaluations of hundreds of houses located in Hants, Kings and Annapolis Counties, Nova Scotia.Carried out by qualified building technologists, the evaluations include computer analysis of energy-related data (thermal properties, air leakage areas and air exchange rate) gathered during a two to three hour house visit. The result is a detailed, customized homeowner report which outlines the current performance of the house and suggests retrofitting options with the estimated reduction in fuel costs as well as the corresponding reduction in GHG production.
Part of the challenge of this project is to create a "carbon offset" by planting trees ‹ nature's air scrubbers. For each of the energy evaluations carried out under this project, AVHBA will donate 20 native trees (the average number of trees needed to frame a new house) to a tree-planting project in the Annapolis Region. If your group is planting trees, please let us know!
Experts in the fields of building science,
energy efficiency and climate change will lead workshops on the
following topics:
- Climate Change and the Annapolis Region
- Reducing Air Leakage and Increasing Insulation Levels to Reduce Energy Costs
- Maximizing the Performance of your Heating System
- Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in Existing Houses
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Efficient Wood Heating and Fireplaces
Links to related pages
Workshop schedules and sign-up information
OEE- Office of Energy Efficiency Natural Resources Canada
Email: 'EnerGuide For Houses'- Project Manager N.S.
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