Most of us know that owning a home is a huge commitment. From the initial buying process to caring for it over the years, it can be a labour of love, but also a major investment of both time and money. Just like any investment, it needs to start off on the right foot, and be occasionally checked up on over time. When buying or building a home, getting the building inspected is often looked at as more of a chore, and once that initial inspection is complete, hardly any thought is paid to it. And buying a home isn’t the only time to consider a check-up either, with the opportunity rearing its head often in home owning. An increasingly important facet of home (and investment) maintenance is getting a home energy audit.

Considering renovations?

Worried about your home’s health after a potentially harsh season? Just feel it’s time? All perfectly acceptable reasons to want to get your home checked up. Sure, you’d rather spend your hard earned money on more exciting things, like new furniture or a fresh coat of paint, but your investment needs to be nurtured.

Energy audits will lead to improvements on how your home consumes electricity, cutting costs for you and providing long-term benefits for the home itself. An energy assessment will look at every way your home consumes electricity and evaluate if it can be improved, and at what cost. One important aspect of an energy audit is evaluating how well your home is insulated and sealed, providing better use of heating and cooling costs.

What should you look for in a home energy audit?

Choosing a Registered Energy Advisor is paramount in getting the best results. The savings and the decreased cost of electricity usage are not only great for the environment but for the home itself. Experienced Energy Advisors can also inform you of current government rebates if you choose to pursue renovations, like Ontario’s latest rebates of up to $5,000 for home renovations.

When it’s time to hire an energy advisor, it’s important to strive to find a company with people who will care for your home just as much as you do. And whether it’s your initial purchase inspection, or time for renovations, the wisest choice will be to select a company that offers energy audits. Hiring a company with experience and certifications for energy assessments will make sure you get the most bang for your buck, especially because they can help you ensure you’re getting available rebates!

Are you purchasing a home? Or ready to embark on some renovations? We’d love to hear what your next big investment is! Comment below.