Posts

sustainable living in comox valley

Sustainable Living Tips for Comox Valley Properties for Sale!

/0 Comments/in /by

Living in Comox Valley properties for sale come with numerous benefits. For example, the gorgeous outdoor scenery and abundant natural resources. However, to preserve the beauty of the landscape it’s critical that as homeowners, we do our best to reduce our impact on the environment around us. One of the ways we can do this is by adopting sustainable practices in our homes. Simple tasks like mindful water consumption, buying locally and minimizing the use of energy-intensive appliances can make a huge difference. To help you make 2024 your most sustainable year yet, we are going to be going over some of the ways that you can alter your living habits to be more eco-friendly. Follow along below to learn more!

What Can You do to Make Your Home More Sustainable?

  1. Conserve Water Where Possible

Water is an important resource in the Comox Valley ecosystem. To ensure freshwater sources are abundant for the plants, animals, and people on Vancouver Island, homeowners must conserve where possible. This can be as simple as fixing leaks promptly, collecting rainwater for gardening, and using water-conserving appliances. Being conscious of how much water is consumed in your household helps to maintain the balance in the local ecosystem. Not only this, but it can also reduce your monthly water bill. 

  1. Reduce the Use of Energy Intensive Appliances

Household appliances are to blame for the majority of our energy consumption. From refrigerators to HVAC systems, these appliances require tons of energy to operate. This in turn results in higher monthly bills and more strain on the local energy grid. To help reduce your bills and conserve energy, you may consider a few potential solutions. For example, lowering the temperature by 7-10 degrees (or increasing by 7-10 degrees in the summer) when you are away from home. You can also unplug small appliances when they are not in use to prevent phantom power consumption. Another option is to avoid the use of your dryer and hang your clothes outdoors when the weather permits. 

  1. Windows, Doors, and Insulation

Windows, doors, and insulation play a big role in the energy efficiency of your home. Old doors and windows can allow outside air in, causing your HVAC system to work harder than it has to. The same thing applies to poor insulation. By updating your doors and windows and repairing old insulation you can greatly improve the energy efficiency of your house. This will also help cut the cost of your monthly heating and cooling bills. 

Other Eco-Friendly Practices Suited for Comox Valley Properties for Sale

  1. Buy Locally 

Having an eco-friendly household isn’t limited to the appliances and fixtures within. It’s also about the habits you keep. For instance, where you buy your food and other goods can have a massive impact on the environment. By purchasing locally made items, you reduce the distance that those goods need to travel. This in turn minimizes the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere and also supports local farmers/crafters. Check out the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market if you’re interested in supporting local – their website has info about all of the latest offerings!

  1. Minimize Waste and Practice Proper Recycling

Recycling and waste reduction are key practices in a sustainable household. By limiting your waste and sorting your recycling, you can make a difference in the local environment. Consider buying products with minimal packaging and composting food scraps where possible. If you choose to compost, you can reuse the food scraps to create nutrient-rich soil for gardening/farming! You may also want to create a recycling station in your home to make separating waste easier. Having separate bins for plastics, glass, and paper/cardboard is a great way to start! 

  1. Choose Energy-Efficient Means of Transportation When You Can

Another habit that can change your home’s carbon footprint for the better, is choosing energy-efficient modes of transportation. Opting for eco-conscious transit means reducing local carbon emissions and eliminating/minimizing your spending on fuel. In Comox Valley, there are several ways to get around without a vehicle. For example, bussing, biking, and walking. If you absolutely must drive, try and coordinate carpools where appropriate.

Contact us Today!

With the new year underway, now is the time to get a move on your 2024 goals for home sustainability! If you are curious about how to make your home more eco-friendly, we encourage you to contact us today! Moreover, if you have any questions about Comox Valley properties for sale, be sure to reach out to us! We are excited to get your new year’s real estate goals on track. A home in the Comox Valley is a great lifetime investment. Be sure to check out our social media here, and return next month for more real estate-related content! We look forward to working with you soon.

property for sale comox

Making Your Property in Comox Valley Energy Efficient!

/0 Comments/in /by

Energy efficiency in your home can help you save thousands of dollars. For most individuals, the costs associated with living in their house account for a large portion of their income. Houses need plenty of maintenance and care in order to remain functional. Making sure that everything is operating accordingly can be a big job. Moreover, if you want to ensure that your home is environmentally friendly, you’ll have to go one step further. Despite the cost of some eco-friendly properties in Comox Valley, there are some inexpensive ways that you can improve the impact your home has on the environment. Going green shouldn’t require months and months of saving. In fact, it’s possible to save the planet on a budget! Most of these changes will even help you save money over time. This is because you will be conserving energy and cutting back on waste! Follow along below to learn about the most inexpensive ways to make your property in Comox Valley eco-friendly.

Have an Energy Audit Done on Your Home. 

Having someone perform an energy audit on your home can help you identify issues that will later save you tons of money. While the initial cost may seem high, having this procedure done is certainly worth the extra cash. An energy audit is a great way to determine what areas of your home need to be more energy-efficient. The procedure is done by an expert, who will test your home for many things. For example, how airtight your home is and use a thermographic scan to find out where you are losing heat. Once you have the results, you can come up with a solution to fix the problem areas. On average, a home energy audit costs between $300 and $500 depending on the size of your home. This may seem like a large amount to pay, but the long-term savings are well worth it. However, if this is still too pricey, there are some DIY solutions that you can try. 

Make Sure That Your Property in Comox Valley is Insulated. 

Insulation is the leading cause of energy efficiency problems in a household. And, most insulation-related issues can be remedied without the help of a professional. While it may not be the most thrilling way to spend your day, fixing your insulation can have many benefits. For instance, higher resale value and lower monthly heating and cooling costs! Commonly, homeowners will neglect to insulate their attic. This is a costly error. Insulating your attic can improve monthly spending on energy bills from 10-50%. 

Furthermore, those looking to improve insulation can add glaze around old windows. People who are living in older houses should think about fixing any cracked glazing around window panes. Taking the time to fix this can drastically reduce the amount of money you spend on your heating and cooling bills. 

Additionally, you can benefit from using spray foam around exterior windows and doors in your home. Houses with wood siding can develop gaps around the trim of windows and doors which have a negative impact on your home’s insulation. These gaps can be easily filled with spray foam or caulk. The same thing applies to the interior window and door trim. However, these gaps will usually be small enough to fill with caulk. When filling gaps in the interior of your home, be sure to buy caulk that can be painted over!

Save Water With Faucet Aerators!

Faucet aerators are a great tool to help with water consumption. Most modern faucets already have faucet aerators. However, if you see that your faucets don’t have these little gadgets, you may want to consider purchasing some. Aerators make a big difference in the way that your tap operates. For example, they maintain and improve water pressure, minimize the amount of water consumed, shape the stream of the water, prevent splashing, and catch debris. In addition, by adding aerators to your taps you can reduce the amount of water you use by up to 50%. Faucet aerators can be found at any hardware store or online for roughly $4-$8 each. This inexpensive addition will significantly lower your ecological footprint.

Contact Us About a Property in Comox Valley!

Improving the energy efficiency of your property in Comox will help you save money each month! Taking a more eco-friendly route is the perfect way to reduce annual spending and help the environment. If you have any questions about a property in Comox Valley, be sure to reach out to us! We are excited to get your summer real estate goals on track. A property in Comox Valley is an excellent seasonal investment. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns or inquiries about real estate in Comox Valley. Be sure to check back next month for more real estate-related content! We look forward to working with you in the near future.