5 ways you can upgrade your home for this summer and beyond

Aug 7 2019, 2:23 pm

High temperatures and heat warnings are going to be a regular event this summer. Are we complaining? Absolutely not. But then again, we have a secret weapon for keeping our cool (literally).

When it’s over 30 degrees Celsius outside and you’re practically melting in front of the $20 fan you bought secondhand, it’s time to make a change. Almost three-quarters of Ontario homeowners (74%) say they would not buy or rent a home that does not have air conditioning, according to a poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Enercare.

That’s why finding the right unit that works for your home year-round is essential. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up five ways that you can upgrade your home for this summer — and beyond.

Choose the right size AC unit for your home

Nobody likes coming home to a hot and humid apartment, and the best way to combat that is to invest in a quality air conditioning unit that’s right for your home’s specific needs. This may sound like we’re stating the obvious, but finding the correct size air conditioner makes a huge difference to your comfort — and ultimately your bills. Larger units will cool the space too rapidly, causing it to continuously shut off and on, which reduces efficiency and can increase your monthly energy costs.

An Enercare Energy Management Consultant will help you figure out the appropriate unit that works for your pad by providing a full home assessment based on several factors, including the size, the number of windows, ceiling height, the amount of insulation, and the existing HVAC equipment’s capacity and effectiveness (if any).

Get peace of mind with a smart home system

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Nothing is worse than arriving at work only to worry that you might have left your front door unlocked at home. (We’ve all been there.) So how can you ensure your home stays safe while you’re away? This is where a smart home system can change your life.

You can manage your home from anywhere in the world with an Enercare Smarter Home system, and you’ll be given the solutions needed to fix issues immediately after you receive an alert. That means not only will you be alerted when your door is unlocked, but you’ll actually be able to lock it remotely, all within a single app.

Prepare yourself for the long, cold winter

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Is it too soon to mention winter? Sorry, but we’ve got your best interests at heart. In the same way that air conditioning is key during summer, a solid heating system is your best friend once winter hits. And while it never hurts to have a couple of layers nearby, at a certain point, you’ll want to come home to a cozy spot to hibernate away until springtime.

That’s why it’s important to schedule a furnace maintenance tune-up with a licensed technician before the cold weather hits. By doing this, you can catch potential issues before they become costly breakdowns, ensuring your equipment keeps you and your family warm all season long.

Consider investing in a high-efficiency AC

If your air conditioner is over 15 years old, it’s time to consider replacing it with one that has a higher Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio (SEER). This rating measures the efficiency of the air conditioner over the entire cooling season.

In the past, the recommended SEER rating was set at 10, but newer units have a SEER rating as high as 17. A higher ratio unit is more efficient, which means lower electrical consumption and reduced energy costs.

Investing in a new unit is a big decision, however, over time the savings on your energy bills can offset the initial cost of the unit.

Save money along the way

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Although it can be tempting to try home maintenance DIY, it’s better to leave it to the experts as it can save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run.

An Enercare Smarter Advantage plan offers you flexibility and guarantees, including no upfront payments or installation charges, no seasonal maintenance costs, and no repair bills, including parts and labour fees.

If you’re an Enercare customer with heating, cooling, or hot water issues and call before 5 pm, the company typically responds on the same day, 90% of the time — and that’s because they have more than 700 licensed technicians on the road every day. The result? You don’t have to deal with a broken air conditioning unit for long, or suffer the costs involved with getting someone out to repair the unit.

For more information and to find the right unit for your home, visit Enercare now. 

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