But Andy Collier says when it comes to the list of things to do in order to make a home efficient heating is at the bottom of the list.
The energy programs officer with Efficiency P.E.I. says that will be part of his message tonight when the City of Charlottetown hosts Building A Better Home at the P.E.I. Brewing Company from 7-9.
“It’s almost the overriding reason why people come to see me and they’re either surprised or annoyed when I tell them it’s the last thing we talk about and it’s the least important thing,’’ Collier said.
“We have a document we send them away with that lists seven steps to creating an energy efficient new home and it’s No. 7.’’
Interest in the public meeting has gone through the roof. The city was hoping to get 30 to 40 people to pre-register for the information session. As of Friday, more than 150 people had signed up. The session has been moved from the upstairs boardroom at the P.E.I. Brewing Company downstairs to accommodate the overflow.
Collier will answer questions related to energy efficient systems and design.
David Carmichael, horticulturalist with the Province of Prince Edward Island, will be there to discuss sustainable landscaping, such as strategically placing trees to block wind and provide shade, invasive species and ground cover types.
And, Betty Pryor, with the city’s Water and Sewer Utility, will be discussing water conservation and efficiency tactics such as low flow toilets and shower heads.
Collier said when it comes to building an energy efficient home he ranks them in order of biggest impact for the least amount of cost.
“If you’re going to implement recommendations do the ones that come earlier on the list because they affect everything else that comes later on the list.’’
The priorities, in descending order, are reducing the size of the home, passive solar, increasing air tightness, increasing insulation levels, windows and doors, lights, appliances and electronics and then the heating system.
“If you’re reducing the size (of the home) you’re reducing the amount of cubic feet that you need to heat and you’re reducing the square footage of exterior wall and roof area that you’re losing heat from.
“Increasing insulation and air tightness levels means you’re losing less heat. Each one of the steps is reducing the amount of heat you need to produce through your heating system. Take care of everything else and the heating system gets smaller and smaller and the fuel source matters less and less.’’
When building an energy efficient home, here is what matters in order of importance:
1. Reduce the size of the home
2. Passive solar
3. Increase insulation levels
4. Increase air tightness
5. Windows and doors
6. Lights, appliances and electronics
7. Heating system
* Source: Efficiency P.E.I.
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