6 Ways to Keep your Toronto Home and Toronto Condo Energy Efficient

A Toronto Home or condo can get unbearably hot in the dog days of Summer. Here’s how you can stay cool and make eco-friendly choices.

1. Air-conditioners
An AC unit should be the correct size for your house or condo. A 5,000 BU is enough to cool an average 2 bedroom home. For maximum efficiency, the unit should be on the north-facing wall. Clean filters at least once a month. Switch off the unit if you plan on leaving your home for more than an hour.

2. Roof
Heat transfers more easily through some materials more than others. Insulate the attic space with thicker, good quality material. A 12-inch tile can cut the cost of cooling your Toronto home or condo by up to 10 percent.

3. Windows
Use dark curtains, mini-blinds, or shades to block solar heat especially on windows facing south. Awnings or old-fashioned window shutters are also effective. In a condo or house, an inexpensive heat-reflecting film is the best external option. But be careful. A film-covered window will also block out the sun and cool your internal temperature in winter.

4. Fans
Ceiling fans can cool your room by up to 7 degrees. It costs about $10 monthly to run  the fan 12 hours a day. Portable fans can  be used anywhere.

5. Internal appliances
A lot of heat in your home or condo is generated from inside. Computers, TV sets, washing machines, and dishwashers produce heat. Do laundry at night time and switch off electric appliances that are not being used. For cooking, use the BBQ whenever you can.

6. Outside the home or condo
Bright, light colours on a roof or walls always deflect heat better than dark. Planting the right trees or shrubs can reduce heat by up to 5 degrees. When shopping for a new Toronto house or condo, ask your Toronto Realtor about properties in well-planted neighbourhoods to get the greenest, ‘coolest’ option.