We are excited to feature another proud homeowner who has upgraded their home to be more energy-efficient and better for the environment!
Mathieu has shared their exciting journey with us when making upgrades to his windows, air tightness, and installing their cold climate heat pump. They found out about our EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation program through a presentation or workshop at University of Waterloo back in the early 2000s. From the time he shared his story with us, Mathieu was far along his sustainable home journey. He had Reep Green Solutions conduct assessments on two separate occasions. The first was shortly after purchasing his first home, with the goal of identifying areas that needed improvement. At the time, he had just replaced the roof with a metal one for increased longevity and was considering taking advantage of the solar MicroFit program.
“[We] have appreciated the expert and sage advice and guidance on all our various projects to make our home more environmentally conscious over the years. I keep referring back for additional considerations. ”
The second assessment took place about seven years later, when he decided to eliminate gas from his home by replacing the gas furnace and hot water heater with cold climate air source heat pump alternatives. He also used the opportunity to replace a few old windows, including upgrading a sliding door to triple-glazed glass, and added an ERV system to improve indoor air quality.
For him, it was primarily about peace of mind, knowing he was making the best long-term choices for the health of his growing family. Being a homeowner provided the privilege of looking for ways to genuinely improve the home—not just focusing on superficial cosmetic changes. He took satisfaction and pride in the gradual progress toward net-zero, striving to balance his energy budget and make his home as sustainable as possible.
Attic Insulation
Reduce heat leaking out of the attic.
Floor Insulation
Reduce energy transfer.
Air Sealing
Enhance insulation performance.
Windows and Doors
Reduce energy transfer.
Exterior Walls
Control moisture and reduce noise.
Heat Pump Water Heater
Reduce running costs and maintain consistent temps.
Cold climate air source Heat Pump
Reduce running costs and maintain consistent temps.
Solar Panels
Increase energy independence.
Although the rebate system was definitely an incentive for Mathieu, he says that he did not do it solely for that purpose. Mathieu did not pursue the rebate initially, but “it certainly helped reduce the financial payback period for the upgrades, which he saw as a positive and something worth fully taking advantage of.” Mathieu was simply committed to the environmental impact and energy reduction that came from home energy upgrades. In fact, he did not apply for the rebate when installing the solar panels, opting instead to rely on the MicroFit contract. However, for the second round of upgrades, which included the air source heat pumps and window replacements, he claims have “definitely” took advantage of the available rebate.
Before
After
Mathieu encourages those who are interested in following in his footsteps to do some research ahead of time on potential improvement. This is so you can have informed conversations with the energy advisor and know which questions to ask and what advice to seek. Taking full advantage of the energy advisor’s experience and expertise on how to evaluate or compare options is an invaluable resource. The insights and guidance they provide offer incredible value throughout the process and should not be overlooked as a tool to your homeowner sustainable journey!
59% reduction in energy costs
2.6 tonnes of GHG emissions reduced annually
$7,050 saved on energy costs after upgrades
More specifically, Mathieu described their positive experience with all their advisors through multiple rounds of energy assessment. His first energy advisor was Jim Carnegie, and seven years later, he worked with Brendan Schaefer for the second assessment. Along the way, he also consulted Andrew Schiedel for additional insights. He recalls reaching out to Glen Woolner around the time of the first assessment, when they were considering solar panels, and believes Glen may have had connections with REEP, although he says he cannot be certain after all these years.
"[...]Brendan, was ever so patient in walking through the grant process with us, during a very complicated and up-in the air transition period between government grant offerings and partnering with hydro company[...]”
In any case, his final advisor, Brendan, was incredibly patient and thorough in guiding him and his family through the complex grant process, especially during a period of transition between government grant offerings and new partnerships with the hydro company. They were among the first to navigate this shift, so having Brendan as a “learning companion” was invaluable. In the end, the process was a success, and the experience proved to be well worth the effort.
Do some research ahead of time on what you might want to do so that you can have informed conversations with the energy advisor and know what questions and advice to seek from them. Take full advantage of the energy advisor's experience and advice[...]
Finally, Mathieu shares his plans for his dream home; even if he does not think he can take advantage of any additional energy rebates through Reep. Looking ahead, his goals include replacing his old gas vehicle with an electric one. However, he does not believe his solar production will be sufficient to fully cover the electrical demand from both the heat pumps and the electric vehicle, so achieving full net-zero is not likely but something he would really like to pursue. He also plans to continue improving water efficiency, drawing inspiration from the Reep house—such as considering the recommended toilets and showerheads. Mathieu has a long way to go, but the changes he made to his home are incredibly impressive. Most importantly, Mathieu’s passion for sustainability is unmatched and an inspiration to many!
Reep Green Solutions’ Home EnerGuide Evaluation is one of the best options in town to maximize your rebates for many of your home energy upgrades.
Our Registered Energy Advisors will examine your house from basement to attic to assess its energy use and building envelope. You will receive a report that will contain a number of prioritized recommendations to improve your home’s energy efficiency. This will help fix high energy bills, air leaks and drafts, poor insulation of windows and doors, and address heating/cooling problems. The evaluation may also identify issues such as dampness, mould/mold or mildew in your home, which could lead to health problems.
We have a licensed service provider agreement with Green Communities Canada. They are licensed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to use the EnerGuide Rating System, Canada’s advanced system to rate home energy consumption, provide recommendations customized for your home and support you through any incentive programs.
Start your sustainable journey by contacting us to book an energy evaluation.