Check it out. Derek and I were on Global television before the holidays talking about the importance of an energy audit and furnace maintenances.  Don't forget, the Federal governments ecoENERGY rebate program ends March 31st!  That doesn't give you much time.  Go here to learn more on how to start the process.

It seems like only a few weeks ago the federal government renewed its popular ecoEnergy retrofit program. In fact, as of December 31, 2011, Canadian homeowners will have only three months left to complete their home energy assessments and energy efficiency upgrades in time to qualify before the March 31, 2012 deadline.

Eligible homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in grants when investing in technologies that make their homes more energy efficient. Heating, cooling and ventilation system upgrades, insulation and air sealing are just a few measures which qualify for rebates.

In the summer Canadians were upgrading their cooling systems to qualify for rebates, now with the heating season upon us, it’s a good time to consider upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace. It’s win-win, your new furnace will save money by using less fuel to heat your home, and you’ll also qualify for an ecoEnergy rebate.

To take advantage of the rebates, homeowners must register with Natural Resources Canada and undergo two audits through a certified energy advisor, like Direct Energy. The first audit will determine the energy efficiency of the home, and provide the homeowner with a list of areas where the energy efficiency of the home can be improved. The final audit serves to confirm that the equipment upgrades or retrofits are complete. Most homeowners receive a grant cheque within 90 days of completing the second audit.

More information on the benefit of home energy audits can be found online at DirectEnergy.com.

Does turning on the furnace make you see red? Trust me you’re not alone. Did you know that more than half of Canadian homeowners say they’re concerned or angry about upcoming heating bills this winter according to a recent survey conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of Direct Energy?

We know that higher heating bills in the winter can be stressful for homeowners, but many Canadians are unaware of the simple steps they can take to achieve real savings on heating costs.  The ecoENERGY retrofit program is still available and in addition to savings per bill, making energy investments in your home may qualify your family for thousands of dollars in federal rebates.

In fact, the survey found that only 20 per cent of Canadian homeowners are taking advantage of the up to $2,700 worth of federal ecoENERGY rebates.

According to Direct Energy’s research, the average Canadian homeowner could save up to 25.9 per cent on their annual heating bill by following three simple steps:  replacing a conventional furnace with a high efficiency one; topping up insulation in the attic and basement; and sealing leaks with caulking and/or improving the home’s air quality by using a heat recovery ventilator (HRV).

Now that it's getting cold and we are starting to turn on our furnaces, I want to remind everyone the dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO).

The CBC had a story called "Guarding against the 'silent killer'" in December 2009 that I thought was great at explaining the dangers of CO, the symptoms from exposure and how to protect you and your family from it.  

Also, last January one of our own technicians recorded dangerously high levels of CO in a residence.  Read more about that here.

I hate to say this but winter is just around the corner and it’s tempting to recreate summer heat wave conditions inside. You need to resist the urge to jack up the thermostat! Here's some simple tips to keep the home fires burning, without burning up money in heating costs:  

Regular maintenance: Scheduling an annual furnace maintenance will help ensure your trusty warm friend is in shape to keep the home cozy all winter. While you’re at it, change your furnace filters too!

Programmable thermostat: Knocking the temperature down two degrees at night, and during the day when nobody is home, can save up to 4% on annual energy costs.

Upgrade equipment: For a home spending approximately $1,883 a year on heating bills, upgrading from a conventional furnace to a high efficiency furnace could save as much as $565 per year on heating costs.  

Boost your insulation: Save up to $195 on your annual energy bill when you add insulation in the attic and basement. Topping up insulation in the attic can save as much as $75 on the annual energy bill, and boosting insulation in your basement can save as much as $120 a year.  

Seal up leaks: Sealing air leaks around the baseboards and attic hatch, caulking drafty windows and air sealing along the basement headers can result in a savings of up to $245 on the annual energy bill.

So let's stay warm and save some money!