Home Energy Efficiency · Canada
A calmer way to run a warm Canadian home.
Field And Shore is an independent reference covering the four areas where Canadian households lose and save the most energy: insulation, draft sealing, seasonal heating, and daily habits.
01 — Insulation Basics
Where the heat actually escapes.
In most older Canadian homes the attic and rim joists leak heat long before the walls do. Insulation is measured in RSI in Canada (the metric equivalent of R-value), and the National Building Code sets minimum levels by climate zone.
Top-up the attic
Heat rises, so the attic is usually the cheapest place to add the most. Blown cellulose or batts bring an under-insulated attic up to the levels recommended for colder zones.
Seal the rim joist
The band of framing above the foundation is a common cold spot. Rigid foam cut to fit and sealed at the edges reduces drafts felt on the main floor.
Know your target
Canada uses RSI values; recommended attic levels are higher in colder regions. Check the level marked on your insulation packaging against local code.
Pick the material for the cavity
Batts, blown cellulose, and rigid foam each suit different spaces. The right choice depends on the cavity depth, moisture exposure, and whether the surface is accessible.
- Open attics: blown cellulose or mineral-wool batts
- Foundation and rim joists: rigid foam board
- Finished walls: dense-pack from the exterior during re-siding
02 — Draft Sealing
Stop the small leaks first.
Air sealing is often the lowest-cost improvement. Doors, windows, electrical boxes on exterior walls, and the attic hatch are the usual suspects. A blower-door test from a registered energy advisor can pinpoint the rest.
- Weatherstrip exterior doors and replace worn thresholds
- Caulk fixed window frames and trim gaps
- Insulate and gasket the attic hatch
03 — Seasonal Heating
Heat the home on a schedule.
A programmable or smart thermostat lets the temperature drop while the house is empty or asleep and recover before anyone notices. Pair that with seasonal furnace maintenance and clean filters for steadier output through a long winter.
- Set back the thermostat overnight and when away
- Replace furnace filters on a regular schedule
- Book a seasonal heating-system check before winter
04 — Everyday Habits
Habits that hold the gains.
Once the building is tighter and better insulated, daily routines decide how much of that benefit you keep through the heating season.
Switch to LED
LED bulbs use a fraction of the electricity of incandescent lighting and run cooler, which matters most in the long, dark months.
Lower the tank
Water heating is a large share of a home's energy use. A moderate tank temperature and shorter showers reduce it without a renovation.
Use curtains by season
Open south-facing curtains on sunny winter days for free solar gain; close them at night to keep radiant heat inside.
Contact
Ask about a topic on the site.
Send a note about insulation, draft sealing, or seasonal heating and we will use it to improve the reference articles. General reference only — for site-specific work, consult a licensed contractor or a registered energy advisor.
Email: contact@fieldandshore.org