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Renovating for Energy Savings

There are many benefits in making energy saving improvements in your home. These improvements can reduce your energy use, minimize moisture and condensation problems, limit outdoor noise and greenhouse gas emissions. Energy-saving renovations can improve your indoor air quality, humidity levels, and your overall comfort level. The fact sheets below offer energy-saving options for your specific house model and age.

 
  • Duplexes and Triplexes
    Duplexes and triplexes fall into two categories: newer units are generally "purpose-built", while older examples have typically been converted from single-family houses.
  • Homes with Walkout Basements
    Homes with walkout basements are built on sloping, hillside sites and feature an exterior door opening into a partially or fully finished basement.
  • Mobile Homes
    One-level mobile and mini-homes have been built since the 1950s and can be found in single- and double-wide models. These homes can be built on either pile foundations or a basement/crawlspace.
  • Other Common Additions
    There are energy saving measures that can be applied to five of the most common types of additions: enclosed porches, simple one-room additions, upper floor dormers, carports/garages and sunrooms/solariums.
  • Post-1960s Two-Storey Homes
    Two-storey houses built since the beginning of the 1970s generally have a modest to ample finished floor area, a full basement (ranging from unfinished to finished) and possibly an attached garage.
  • 1960s or 70s One-Storey Homes
    Many one-storey houses, also known as bungalows or ranchers, were built in the 1960s and 70s. The finished floor area of this house type can vary considerably, and basements range from uninsulated to finished with a recreation room and utility area.
  • Pre-World War II Houses
    Pre-World War II houses often benefit from energy-saving improvements because the techniques and materials used in their construction have mostly been replaced by decades of innovation.
  • Row Houses
    Row houses are economical two-storey buildings with a moderate amount of finished living space. The full-sized basement is often unfinished and sometimes incorporates a garage; newer units are more likely to have a finished basement.
  • Split Entry Homes
    Split entry (bi-level) houses have been built since the late 1950s. Their defining characteristic is a main entrance on a landing midway between the lower and upper floors. The basement area is at least partially finished and typically contains two or three finished rooms.
  • Split-Level Home
    Split-level homes have been built since the late 1940s and can take the form of either three- or four-level splits. Original designs often incorporated a built-in garage at the lowest level and a crawlspace (sometimes uninsulated) under the mid-level.
  • Post War 1½- Storey Homes
    Built between 1945 and 1960, 1½-storey homes typically have bedrooms within the roof space, the living area on the main floor, an unfinished basement and a relatively small finished floor area.

Related CMHC Information

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