Home Energy Retrofits
| Save money | Improve home comfort | Protect the planet |
| Lower your electricity and gas bills by investing in energy upgrades | Cool and heat spaces efficiently by using the right insulation | Reduce your carbon footprint by consuming less energy |
Now Available: HERO Highlights!
If you missed out on our last Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) workshop, you can now view the highlights in our news feed, or by visiting the Markham's YouTube page.
What is a Home Energy Retrofit?
Home energy retrofits is a process to upgrade your home's energy-consuming systems. It may involve improving light fixtures, sealing windows and doors, adding insulation, and more.
The Road to a Net Zero Markham Begins With You
The City of Markham's Municipal Energy Plan - Getting to Zero provides a roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Markham is committed to improving energy efficiency, creating renewable energy supply, and reducing emissions.
Homes and buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Markham today, accounting for 49% of total emissions. Within the residential sector, emissions are mainly a direct result of fuel consumption for space and water heating.
Home energy retrofits create more sustainable homes through improvements to the building shell and energy system. These upgrades can lower your heating and energy bills, improve home comfort and reduce emissions.
How it Works
The EnerGuide home evaluation uses a nationally recognized rating system to assess the energy performance of your home.
A certified energy advisor will examine your home's insulation, heating and cooling systems and overall energy use to identify sources of heat loss and other energy savings. After your audit, you will receive a set of recommended changes that have the best energy retrofit impact.
A number of grants and financing options are available to help cover the costs of upgrades.
Homeowners will likely need to be patient because wait times may seem long. However, it is best to get your application in to start the process.
For more information on rebates and incentives, please see our FAQs.
Get Started Today!
On this page, you will find a variety of resources to help you complete a home energy retrofit.
Register and book your pre-retrofit evaluation today.
In order to register, you will be asked to provide your:
- Name
- Phone number
- Type of house
- Address of your primary residence
- Proof of ownership with your property tax bill number (this number can be found on your municipal property documents)
- Proof of residence through either a drivers licence or government issued ID (with address)
We also invite you to share your ideas, stories and questions with the community in the space below.
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Resident Testimonial: Gradual Energy Upgrades
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Goal: Decrease energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and utility costs
About the Experience
Overall, the experience went pretty well. We’ve replaced inefficient equipment with high-efficiency alternatives over several years including our heating and cooling systems, water heater, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and lighting.
Some of the building envelope improvements include reducing air leakage (weatherstripping, caulking windows, foam inserts in exterior outlets, spray foam gaps between the interior and exterior of the house), increasing attic insulation, passive heating and cooling (window dressings, opening windows, deciduous trees for shade in the summer and reduced wind in the winter), and fans to help circulate air and exhaust warm air in the summer.
Simple low-cost energy conservation improvements included turning equipment and lights off when not in use, setting back thermostat overnight, hang drying laundry, using the air-dry feature on the dishwasher, low-flow faucets/shower heads, duel-flush toilets, etc. We’ve also improved controls through a smart thermostat, motion sensors, lighting dimmer switches, and timers for washroom exhaust fans. Lastly, we’ve added a solar PV system to our roof that feeds electricity back into the grid.
Benefits
The benefits are enormous and include fresher indoor air, more comfortable living environment and room temperatures (less drafts and hot/cold pockets), more options/better control of equipment and remote access to our heating/cooling system, utility bill cost savings, and more.
Challenges
There were some challenges along the way. I strongly recommend having a qualified energy advisor complete an energy audit that will recommend improvements with estimated savings and rebates. From there, I’d recommend reading product selection and installation guides (if available), learning the benefits and drawbacks of the high-efficiency technology, always requesting at least 3 supply/install quotes, asking as many questions as you’d like to feel comfortable with the project, and withholding final payment until the project is completed to your satisfaction.
- Amanda
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Resident Testimonial: Doors & Insulation
Share Resident Testimonial: Doors & Insulation on Facebook Share Resident Testimonial: Doors & Insulation on Twitter Share Resident Testimonial: Doors & Insulation on Linkedin Email Resident Testimonial: Doors & Insulation link“I didn’t realize that a poorly sealed door could cost us so much more in lost energy. Replacing our door with an Energy Star Certified door looks great and saves us money! ” - Lisa
A properly sealed building envelope saves energy and improves comfort. Gaps in poorly fitted and damages doors allows outside air to get in, and inside air to get out. It can also allow unwanted bugs and small critters to enter the house.
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