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10 Tips from Insulation Contractors in Barrie to Stay Warm

November 05, 2018

If you’re a typical homeowner in Ontario, fall and winter are the fire under your feet to find ways to warm up your feet at home. What may be less apparent are the ways to increase your comfort and keep your energy bills low. This is especially true in Barrie, where the weather can get a bit chillier than elsewhere in Ontario. The secret: home energy efficiency upgrades.

It’s also a good time to take advantage of home energy rebates that will make your upgrades more affordable. The only way you can take advantage of rebates is by using a professional contractor in Barrie – such as Great Northern Insulation – and a Registered Energy Advisor.

Tips from Our Insulation Contractors in Barrie to Reduce Your Energy Bills this Fall:

1. Understanding energy rebates and which will benefit you the most

Home energy rebates are designed to offset the cost of upgrades, retrofits, and improvements. Along with expert advice and professional installation, these "energy smart” upgrades will qualify you for substantial rebates, while lowering heating bills immediately. When considering Great Northern Insulation as your insulation contractor in Barrie, make sure to ask which home energy rebate is best suited to your needs:

2. Identifying air leakage will address excess moisture and cold drafts

Step one with home energy efficiency is the EnerGuide Home Evaluation, an assessment that’s performed by a professional Energy Advisor (registered with Natural Resources Canada). Once you’ve booked an evaluation, the Advisor will go into detail about the “blower door test” that is used to identify and pinpoint the airtightness of your home. Once the exterior and interior of the home is assessed, energy simulation software is used to recommend the most essential upgrades.

3. Weatherization (windows/doors) markedly minimizes air leakage

When it’s done right, weatherization will keep your home warm by minimizing air leakage and reducing drafts. With air leakage effectively minimized, weatherizing your windows and doors will dramatically reduce energy waste and lessen energy consumption. The idea is to properly air seal the “building envelope” so that heat stays inside during winter and outside during summer. As an experienced insulation contractor in Barrie, we understand the certain needs of a home in your particular climate, and suggest upgrades accordingly.

4. Making sure your heating system is working at optimum efficiency

Whatever the age of your heating system, it’s vital to ensure peak performance and maximize energy efficiency. Today, a new heating system can achieve over 95% efficiency, meaning that fuel efficiency is optimized and seasonal heating bills are markedly reduced. In Canada, ENERGY STAR certification makes it possible for you to purchase heating systems (and appliances) with leading edge technology that promises high performance and energy efficiency at the same time. Some of the costs for heating systems are covered by the Enbridge rebate program.

5. Upgrade your thermostat to balance temperature for lower bills

Based on national statistics, you could be spending over $1000 to keep warm this fall and winter. On the bright side, you could lower heating costs by up to 5% for every degree that you lower the thermostat. With a good programmable thermostat, you can easily set the indoor temperature according to need – different for the bulk of the day, different for the evening hours, and different for the overnight hours. And if you shop carefully, there may be rebates on your favourite device.

If you take advantage of the Enbridge Gas Home Energy Conservation Program right now through Great Northern Insulation, you will receive a FREE Ecobee 4. You must have the work completed by November 30, 2018.

6. Upgrading windows – choose from double glazing or window films

Today, there’s a cost-effective way to retrofit existing window systems without full replacement. MAGNETITE storm windows are customized to fit your window system and are snugly locked for maximum energy efficiency. The fitted windows become airtight, insulated, and sound proofed.

Another option for upgrading windows is window film application. Professionally installed, 3M™ Window Films reduce almost 80% of sun heat coming through the windows in summer. In the winter, 3M™ Low-E window film is like upgrading your single-pane windows to double-pane.

7. Basement insulation improves home comfort and energy efficiency

Regardless of the size of your house, the basement area is a major cause of heat loss. With a well-insulated basement, air leakage and heat loss are prevented, and your heating and cooling system will operate more efficiently. Overall, this will contribute to lower utility bills during summer and winter. Beyond improving energy efficiency, the basement also becomes more comfortable. As your experienced insulation contractors in Barrie, we have a deep understanding of air sealing and its importance in your basement.

8. Retrofitting attic insulation improves comfort and reduces costs

High quality attic insulation is key to home energy efficiency - cold drafts are reduced, uneven room temperatures are balanced, and seasonal utility bills are lowered. However, quality insulation isn’t enough. The attic must be equipped with an air barrier (to stop air movement), a vapour barrier (to stop moisture accumulation), and proper ventilation (to ensure optimal air circulation). All of this is heavily reliant on air sealing to make sure your attic acts the way it was intended to.

9. Deciding on replacing or removing underperforming insulation

For some homeowners, insulation replacement or removal may be a necessary option. We provide a professional assessment that accurately reflects the need for replacement and/or removal. Whatever the condition of the attic insulation, we will recommend the product and installation that will best suit it. As experienced insulation contractors in Barrie, you can count on us to check on your insulation levels.

10. MyEnergyXpert provides you customized home energy solutions

With MyEnergyXpert, homeowners can analyze their home energy efficiency and perform an online “energy audit”.

The steps are simple:

  • You upload data that’s specific to your home.
  • You receive a personalized energy consumption summary.
  • You’re provided with recommendations for change.

The idea is to offer you viable energy retrofits to improve energy efficiency. These retrofits are designed to substantially reduce energy consumption, and therefore lower utility bills season to season.

In Barrie, Count on Great Northern Insulation for Quality Results

When searching for insulation contractors in Barrie, you can count on Great Northern Insulation to service your every need – from air sealing, to quality insulation, to window retrofits. Amongst the many insulation contractors in Barrie, you’ll find Great Northern Insulation standing apart when it comes to quality guarantied installations.

For a FREE in-home assessment, call toll free at 1.800-265-1914 or to find out more about our services, you can view them here: https://www.gni.ca/services/residential-retrofit

Western Ontario

935 Keyes Drive
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada N4V 1C3

Phone: 1-800-265-1914

Fax: (519) 539-7946
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Muskoka, Haliburton, Northern Ontario

1027 Elwell Park Road
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada P1P 1R1

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Central Ontario

29 Ferndale Industrial Drive
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4N 9V5

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Greater Toronto Area

2 Guided Court
Etobicoke, ON
M9V 4K6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

GTA East

103 North Port Road
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada L9L 1B2

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

South Central Ontario

450 Industrial Dr,
Toronto (Milton), Ontario
Canada L9T 5A6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Eastern Ontario

1035 Moodie Dr #1,
Nepean, ON
K2R 1H4

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Niagara Region

25 Lincoln Ave
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 2C7

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

BBB

Great Northern Insulation - Better Business Bureau Profile.

Homestars Best of 2021 Award

Best of 2021

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2021.

Homestars Best of 2022 Award

Best of 2022

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2022.

Lowes

GNI is the Authorized & Trusted Insulation and Air Sealing Installer for Lowe’s

Trusted for Over 40 Years

Over 40 Years in Business

At GNI, we service your project with the most experienced staff in the industry. Ongoing professional development is an obsession at GNI and we will not compromise at any level to bring to our customers the very best Installers, Sales Representatives, Customer Care Personnel, Field Superintendents, Estimating and Technical Support to your project.

100% Canadian

100% Canadian

Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.

Foam Masters

Do it right the first time
- with foam mastersTM

January, 2021 regulatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the introduction of WALLTITE CM01. Using hydrofluorolefins (HFOs) with lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFCs, WALLTITE CM01 is the next generation of spray foam insulation.

HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Huntsman HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Heatlok® Soya HFOTM leverages Honeywell’s latest Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent technology. This new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent is the most environmentally conscious blowing agent produced to date, with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1, which is more than two orders of magnitude (99.9%) lower than HFCs used in this industry.

3M

3MTM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings

3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Holmes and Holmes

Holmes and Holmes

 

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

Enbridge

Enbridge Incentives

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program offers up to $10,000 in home reno rebates – and Great Northern Insulation can pave the way.

Renomark

Great Northern Insulation proudly abides by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct set by RenoMark™.

eRenovate

We are Verified & Bonded by eRenovate. When you choose to proceed with our services through their platform, you receive the gaurantees set forth through their program.

As Seen on Love It or List It

The GNI crew have been featured installing insulation on Love It or List It - have you seen our logo in an episode?

Climatizer Cellulose

Climatizer

CLIMATIZER PLUS cellulose insulation is manufactured from a minimum of 85% locally-sourced post-consumer recycled newsprint. Non-toxic additives are applied to the uniquely fiberized paper generating a building material with superior thermal and acoustic properties, as well as exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mould and pests.

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