Lisa Tollis SRES®

Water Heater 101

Many homeowners will admit they don't know a whole lot about the water heater down in their basement. Dave Walton, Direct Energy's director of home ideas, offers up some information to help homeowners become a little more familiar with their water heaters, along with a few suggestions for those thinking of switching to tankless water heaters.

Longevity - Homeowners can expect their conventional water heater to supply hot water for approximately sixteen years, depending upon a number of factors including, without limitation, the use of the water heater, the water temperature and the type of water in the premises. A tankless unit can last in the neighbourhood of twenty years, depending on water quality and usage requirements.

Capacity - For both conventional and tankless units, it is important for homeowners to correctly calculate their hot water needs. This is especially true for tankless units. The capacity of a tankless unit needs to be thoroughly researched based on the number facilities within the home requiring hot water simultaneously.

Quality - In areas where the water quality rates as hard, a tankless water heater is not recommended. Tankless units are more susceptible to water scaling than conventional water heaters. However, the harder the water quality, the more scaling occurs in both systems.

Maintenance - Unlike their basement mates, furnaces, conventional water heaters generally do not require an annual maintenance routine. Maintenance for tankless systems is specific to each model and brand. Homeowners should consult their manuals for guidance.

More information on water heaters can be found online at www.directenergy.com/waterheater or toll-free at 1-888-334-8221.

cortesy of: newscanada

Visit www.LisaTollis.ca for more information about Real Estate & Listings in Ancaster-Hamilton-Burlington Ontario and All of the Surrounding Areas.

Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
Office: 905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601
www.LisaTollis.ca

Enjoy hot water... but don't get burned at the door

(NC)-Chances are, you probably use hot water dozens of times a day. Whether it's tackling the dishes or a soak in the tub, hot water plays a key role in your daily routine. But most consumers never think about it until it stops working or when a door-to-door salesperson comes knocking.

Some door-to-door salespeople take advantage of the fact consumers have a limited understanding of their home's equipment, signing homeowners up for contracts with long-term commitments, exit fees and high rental rates. To help prevent this, Reliance Home Comfort, Ontario's expert on water heaters, dispels common myths about the natural gas water heater in your basement.

Myth: A new water heater will save me money.

In reality: New water heaters only offer marginal savings, and even replacing a 15 year old tank will only save about $6.30 a month in energy costs, before you even consider the cost of the tank. What really matters is how you choose to use hot water in your home. The best way to save money is to use hot water wisely.

Myth: Older tanks = dirty water.

In reality: Water heaters are designed to work for years without accumulating any significant buildup or rust. If you do notice a rust-coloured tinge to your hot water, or feel it's taking longer to heat the water, call your local service provider.

Myth: Proactive maintenance improves efficiency.

In reality: Maintenance is best done when homeowners notice a problem, like insufficient hot water or a rust-coloured tinge to the hot water.

Myth: Older tanks do not meet safety standards

In reality: Water heaters are installed according to the code at the time of installation. Any updates to safety standards will have to be completed only when the tank is replaced.

Myth: Tankless water heaters are right for everyone

In reality: Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than a storage water heater, which could translate into savings of up to $4-$5/month, depending on the age of storage tank being replaced. But because tankless water heaters work differently than they may be used to, consumers should walk through a needs assessment before investing in tankless.

"It's your doorstep and your decision," says John Krill, director of operations support at Reliance Home Comfort. "We encourage consumers to get the facts and speak with their current provider before they sign on the dotted line." You can visit www.burnedatthedoor.com to learn more about water heater safety and maintenance, your rights as a consumer and to report unscrupulous door-knocking in your community.

courtesy of: newscanada

Visit www.LisaTollis.ca for more information about Real Estate & Listings in the Ancaster-Hamilton-Burlington Ontario and All of the Surrounding Areas.

Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
Office: 905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601

www.LisaTollis.ca

Furnace upgrade not mandatory, but will save you money

Home Efficiency Q&A:

(NC)-Here's the answer to a frequently asked question, courtesy of Dave Walton, director of home ideas at Direct Energy:

A: The new standard, which applies to new purchases only and goes into effect December 31, 2009, will require all new gas furnaces meet a minimum efficiency of 90%. It does not require that existing furnaces be upgraded until homeowners make the decision to do so. But there's more:

• Upgrade benefits - Upgrading from a 17-year-old furnace, to a new high-efficiency furnace is going to save money on gas bills and also help the environment. This new standard is part of a federal initiative to reduce greenhouse gases and raise energy efficiency standards for Canadian homes, old and new.

• Savings - An older "conventional" furnace operating at 60% or less efficiency can waste 40 cents of every dollar. Upgrading to a high efficiency gas furnace, for a home spending $1,000 per year on heating, could result in savings as high as $300. Many high-efficiency furnaces are eligible for government rebates. The savings on the initial furnace purchase means payback becomes even quicker.

A high-efficiency furnace provides the homeowner with years of increased energy efficiency, quieter operation, better air circulation, and save a few cents every time the thermostat is turned up. More information is available online at www.directenergy.com or toll-free at 1-888-334-8221 1-888-334-8221.

courtesy of: newscanada

Visit www.LisaTollis.ca for more information about Real Estate & Listings in the Ancaster-Hamilton-Burlington Ontario and All of the Surrounding Areas.

Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
Office: 905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601
www.LisaTollis.ca

Affordable upgrades for every homeowner

(NC)-With all the government grant opportunities available today for home renovations, homeowners have been able to carry out their planned home improvement projects. While some homeowners have used the opportunity to improve the aesthetic qualities of their homes, others have focused on long-term investments such as improving their home's energy efficiency.

"Home renovations that help improve the energy efficiency of a home don't need to be difficult or costly," says Cheryl West, an insulation expert at Owens Corning. "Energy efficiency and energy cost savings can be achieved through simple do-it-yourself projects such as insulating your attic and topping up on the amount of insulation you already have in place."

If you're interested in improving the energy efficiency of your home, but haven't considered an attic re-insulation project, here are a few answers to some important questions.

The recommended insulating standard for attic insulation is R-50. To achieve this, you'll need to top up on your existing attic insulation until you have at least 15 inches of batt insulation. Visit your local home building supplies store and ask about PINK FIBERGLAS Batt Insulation, which is easy to install and provides optimal thermal resistance.

Insulating your attic can help you save on your monthly heating and cooling costs by up to 28 per cent*. Not only can you help save on energy costs, you can also help save a half ton** of greenhouse gas emissions annually when you insulate your attic to R-50.

Many government incentives available today can be combined to help homeowners significantly offset their home improvement expenses. The Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) provides a 15 per cent non-refundable tax credit on eligible home renovation costs up to a maximum of $1,350. Natural Resources Canada offers the ecoENERGY Retrofit Rebate that helps save homeowners up to $750 when they insulate their attic. In addition, there are also matching rebate programs at the provincial and municipal levels to even further your rebate amounts.

Learn more about the HRTC and how to insulate your attic by visiting www.insulationtaxcredit.ca and www.actionplan.gc.ca. More details on the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program and other available government grants can be found online at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca.

courtesy of: newscanada

Visit www.LisaTollis.ca for more information about Real Estate & Listings in the Ancaster-Hamilton-Burlington Ontario and All of the Surrounding Areas.

Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
Office: 905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601
www.LisaTollis.ca

Affordability Guide

How much can you afford?

This depends on a number of factors. The most important are your gross household income, your down payment and the mortgage interest rate.

The first affordability rule is that your monthly housing costs shouldn't be more than 32 percent of your gross monthly income. Housing costs include monthly principal, interest, taxes and heating expenses (p.i.t.h.). If applicable, it also includes half of monthly condominium fees. Lenders add up these housing costs to determine what percentage they are of your gross monthly income. This figure is your GROSS DEBT SERVICE RATIO (GDSR).

The second affordability rule is that your entire monthly debt load should not be more than 40 percent of your gross household monthly income. This includes housing costs and other debts such as car loans and credit card payments. Lenders add up these debts to determine what percentage they are of your gross household monthly income. This is your TOTAL DEBT SERVICE RATIO. (TDSR

About the Down Payment

A mortgage is security for a loan on the property you own. It is the difference between your purchase price and your down payment. The greater the down payment, the less you have to borrow, and of course, the smaller your monthly mortgage payment. A few options of down payment include your savings or a non-repayable gift. There are other options available to you and this can be discussed with your REALTOR®.

Other Costs to be Aware of when you Buy

This is a list of possible extra costs involved in buying a home. Some of them are one time costs and others, such as condominium maintenance fees and property insurance, will be ongoing monthly expenses. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT NOT ALL OF THESE COSTS MAY APPLY IN YOUR CIRUMSTANCES.

Visit www.LisaTollis.ca for more information about Real Estate & Listings in the Ancaster-Hamilton-Burlington Ontario and All of the Surrounding Areas.

Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
Office: 905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601
www.LisaTollis.ca