Saskatchewan

Insulation Effectiveness

R values and their metric equivalent, RSI values, are a way of labelling the effectiveness of insulating materials. The higher the R value or RSI value, the more resistance the material has to the movement of heat. Insulation products sold in Canada are labelled with R and RSI values. Provincial building codes specify minimum R (or RSI) values for new construction, with different values for different applications. It is important to know what your local building code requires when planning new construction.
Note: The way the insulation is installed plays a large role in its effectiveness. Compressing the insulation, leaving air spaces around the insulation and allowing air movement in the insulation all reduce the actual R value of the insulation.

Signs of Insulation Problems

In the winter

• walls cold to touch
• cold floors
• high heating costs
• uneven heating levels within building
• mold growing on walls

In the summer

• uncomfortably hot inside air
• high cooling costs
• ineffectiveness of air conditioning system
• mold growing in basement

As colder weather is coming to Regina, we spend more time indoors and many of us use fireplaces to keep our homes warm. With this season, comes an increased threat to the possibility of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow these tips to prevent disaster and keep your family safe.

• Hunt for hazards. Prevention goes a long way - look around your home for hazards and remove them. Consider moving combustible chemicals outside, like paint thinner or gasoline, if you store them indoors. Or use a metal cupboard in the garage. Make sure there is nothing flammable near your furnace, fireplace, or barbecue that could catch fire.

• Get your fuel-burning appliances checked and cleaned. Every year, be sure to have your furnace, hot water heater, and fireplace/wood-stove professionally serviced.

• Never leave candles unattended and be sure to keep them clear of flammable materials, like curtains.

• Check to make sure you turn off your stove top, oven, and barbecue after use. Keep cooktops clear and do not wear loose fitting clothing around stoves, as they can easily catch fire.
• Make sure your home has operational smoke detectors - all homes built after 1997 are required to have them hardwired into the electrical system. Each level needs to have at least one smoke detector, and adding one for every sleeping area is a good idea. Also, be sure the batteries are good by testing the detectors monthly.
• Ensure that you have fire extinguishers that are all-purpose rated on hand, and you know how to use them. Put one in every vulnerable room, like the kitchen, garage, and workshop, and store them upright in a place where they won’t freeze.
• Develop an evacuation plan and discuss it with your family. In the unfortunate event that your home is affected by fire, you’ll want to be prepared. Put together a supply kit that will get you and your family through the first 72 hours of an emergency, and talk about the best ways to get out of your home, including a meeting spot once you’re out.

Find more information about emergency preparedness at www.redcross.ca and www.getprepared.ca.

If you’re in the market to buy or sell your Regina home, give me, Clair Whittington, a call. As your local Regina real estate professional, I have expertise in Albert Park and Grand Coulee. I’d love to help you find the perfect home for you and your family!

Insulating Your House

While previous generations may have been content to live in drafty houses, most people now want comfortable warm houses. A healthy house today is well sealed, well insulated and properly ventilated.
A well-insulated house is a bit like dressing for the weather. A wool sweater will keep you warm if the wind is not blowing and it is not raining. On a windy, rainy day, wearing a nylon shell over your wool sweater helps keep you reasonably dry and warm. A house is similar. On the outside, underneath the brick or siding, there is an air barrier that does the same thing as the nylon - it keeps the wind from blowing through. Then there is the insulation (like your sweater) and a vapour barrier, which helps keep moisture away from the house structure where it can do damage.

Do you want to live more eco-friendly? There are plenty of ways to get started, and the best place to start is in your own Regina home. By following the tips and tricks listed below, you’ll be on your way to a greener life each and every day!

To Save Water and Keep Our Supply Clean:

• Never leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or shaving, and shorten your shower time to six minutes. For bath time, only fill the tub halfway.
• Don’t flush tissues, paper towels, cigarettes or other trash down the toilet - it wastes several gallons of water.
• Dispose of household chemicals at local drop-off centres, and cut down on the amount you use around your home.
• Choose biodegradable products whenever you can, and avoid chemical pesticides and fertilizers in your yard and garden.
• Clean up paint, oil or gas (check your vehicle), or other chemical spills right away, and store garbage around your home properly.

To Save Energy:

• Only run your diswasher and clothes washer when it’s full, when possible wash in cold water, and use the air dry setting rather than drying with heat.
• When you purchase new appliances, choose Energy Star models - some municipalities will even offer rebates, if you do.
• Install a programmable thermostat and lower it at night or when you’re not home during the daytime.
• Caulk around doors and windows to prevent drafts and leaks.

To Improve Air Quality:

• Avoid scented products and air fresheners, which are rarely eco-friendly, and may contribute to asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
• Use detergent and water rather than harsh disinfectants that might have noxious fumes. Try using baking soda, vinegar, and castile soap - they often work better than commercial cleaning products.
• Try burning a few drops of natural essential oil in a clay infuser to scent the air, and eliminate the need to deodorize by taking out your trash every day (or more, if necessary).

To Cut Down on Garbage:

• Recycle plastics, glass, and newspaper, instead of throwing these things in the trash.
• Reuse grocery bags, or purchase a cloth reusable bag and bring it with you to the store.
• Buy high quality items that are durable to eliminate the need to replace them, and don’t buy anything you don’t need.
• Purchase items in bulk whenever possible and store bulk food in reusable containers.
• Get involved in composting, either in your own garden, or through your city’s composting program.

To get started, take this fun quiz and see your eco-impact, then get started living a greener life today!

Whether you are thinking about selling your Regina home or would like to find the perfect home here for you, let me, Clair Whittington, be your Regina real estate expert! Backed by Exit Realty Fusion, Saskatchewan’s first ecobroker, I’m well equipped to assist you in finding the most eco-friendly home that will benefit you and the environment! Give me a call today!