Retrofitting your home for energy efficiency

Making an older home energy efficient can involve minor renovations or a major structural makeover. Whatever changes you make, they will often save you money in the long term and be better for the environment.

When you are looking at a new home or considering a retrofit for your current house, look closely at how energy efficient it is and how easy it will be to make improvements.

• Is the building's orientation appropriate for the climate? In a temperate area, you want plenty of winter sun. In a hot area, you need shade and cooling breezes.
• How easy will it be to admit more sunlight or cooling breezes?
• Does the house get too much sun? A west-facing living area with large windows can be a heat trap.
• Are the kitchen, bathroom and laundry – the so-called "wet areas" – close together? If they are, you will be starting with a house design that works well for efficient hot-water usage.
• Is the house well insulated? How easy will it be to alter the insulation or add more?
• Is the house drafty? Are there gaps that could be sealed?
• What kind of heating and cooling systems does the house have and how efficient are they? How easy would they be to replace?
• Does the building contain any hazardous materials? Check for lead paint and pipes, asbestos panels and roofing, and fibreglass insulation.
• Is there enough space for your needs in the garden? Is there a clothes line, or room for one, in an appropriate place?

If you are buying a new house, what you buy will influence how costly and difficult any retrofitting will be.

• It's often easier and more economical to buy a smaller, less expensive house and add the eco-friendly features you want than to find them in an existing house at the top of your price range.
• Cost out both approaches before you start house hunting.
• If you plan to buy a house and retrofit it with eco-friendly features before moving in, keep in mind that you will need other accommodations while waiting to move in.

Retrofitting an existing or new home can be a great choice for both you and the environment – just be sure that you go into the process armed with the knowledge needed to make smart decisions.