I'm about to become a de facto home owner this summer, so I've been looking into how a house that was home to at most 3 people in the past can be made suitable for 5. So I'm looking at an on-demand hot water system to replace the big ol' tank (either that or we figure out how to slow-cook in it so it's not heating water for nothing), and replacing 3 old toilets with low-flow models so if somebody's in the shower during a flush (as we're about to become a multi-bathroom family for the first time), the interruption will last only a few seconds. And since the furnace and AC are both relatively new, I thought I wouldn't have a chance to go heat pump shopping for a while—but now I'm looking up that $6500 rebate!
These are great moves! I think this is a really great case study -- efficiency with space AND resources. The furnace thing seems to be administered through Enbridge (🤔) but seems like a real thing and potentially very useful. I love not having to replace a whole system and relying on the gas only for extreme temps.
Love this. Happy New Year, Jen! I have a vague vision of creating some kind of local guide for renters about greening/ecp initiatives in conjunction with our neighourhood Net Zero Committee. There are all these programs for homeowners that are important, but I feel like there must be things that those of us who rent can do to contribute too. Do you know if such things are happening?
P.S. I realized there is the Save on Energy program for lower-income folks, that gives out a package of things like efficient bulbs and low flow attachments. https://saveonenergy.ca/For-Your-Home/Energy-Affordability-Program#kits. Could be a good resource for low-income folks, but also an inspiration for smaller things renters can do.
EDIT: I researched it and not THAT low-income. So more people might qualify than I thought!
This is one of my old hobbyhorses! Not that I know of -- a Green Renter's Guide would be a great resource, although I don't know how many items one can put on it. I'd be happy to brainstorm though!
I'm about to become a de facto home owner this summer, so I've been looking into how a house that was home to at most 3 people in the past can be made suitable for 5. So I'm looking at an on-demand hot water system to replace the big ol' tank (either that or we figure out how to slow-cook in it so it's not heating water for nothing), and replacing 3 old toilets with low-flow models so if somebody's in the shower during a flush (as we're about to become a multi-bathroom family for the first time), the interruption will last only a few seconds. And since the furnace and AC are both relatively new, I thought I wouldn't have a chance to go heat pump shopping for a while—but now I'm looking up that $6500 rebate!
These are great moves! I think this is a really great case study -- efficiency with space AND resources. The furnace thing seems to be administered through Enbridge (🤔) but seems like a real thing and potentially very useful. I love not having to replace a whole system and relying on the gas only for extreme temps.
Love this. Happy New Year, Jen! I have a vague vision of creating some kind of local guide for renters about greening/ecp initiatives in conjunction with our neighourhood Net Zero Committee. There are all these programs for homeowners that are important, but I feel like there must be things that those of us who rent can do to contribute too. Do you know if such things are happening?
P.S. I realized there is the Save on Energy program for lower-income folks, that gives out a package of things like efficient bulbs and low flow attachments. https://saveonenergy.ca/For-Your-Home/Energy-Affordability-Program#kits. Could be a good resource for low-income folks, but also an inspiration for smaller things renters can do.
EDIT: I researched it and not THAT low-income. So more people might qualify than I thought!
This is one of my old hobbyhorses! Not that I know of -- a Green Renter's Guide would be a great resource, although I don't know how many items one can put on it. I'd be happy to brainstorm though!