Reducing Energy Bills could mean extra money come sale time!

Everyone is becoming more concerned with saving money on their utility bills each month. We all have different reasons for doing so- some of us simply like the extra money every month, while others like the positive environmental impact energy saving measures provide.

Whatever our reasons are, I am so pleased to see that more and more people are finally waking up and seeing that a change is necessary.

An interesting take on the idea is how much extra you could afford every month on a mortgage when you reduce your bills. For every $100 you save on energy bills, you can spend $20,000 more dollars on your mortgage (pending bank approval of course!). When I sell an energy efficient home I highlight the low energy costs and the annual savings a potential buyer will see by buying your eco-friendly home. Does this mean that for every $100 you reduce your bills you will increase your selling cost? I would imagine if your home is marketed appropriately and the savings are properly highlighted then the answer to that is an absolute yes.

Contact me for a personal assessment of your home if you are interested in things you can do to reduce your utility bills and increase your selling costs.

Vlog- Ways to save on your hydro usage

Planting the correct Trees and/or Shrubs in your Yard

When adding to your landscaping, there are many things you should consider such as correct placement of your trees and/or shrubs as well as the type you should be planting.

Coniferous trees (such as pines, spruces, cedars and fir’s) keep their needles all year long and are great for privacy and wind breaks. Consider planting them to the north or northwest of your home to provide shelter from cold, winter winds. You should never plant them to the south as they will block warm winter sun which can help reduce heating bills.


Deciduous trees (such as elms, walnut, maple and beach) drop their leaves in the winter however provide lots of shade in the summertime to help reduce cooling costs. Plant these types of trees to the east and west of your home for the most amount of shade in the summer.


Another consideration when planting shrubs and flowers is using native plants. Native plants are hardy because they have adapted to the local conditions and once established, native plants do not need fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides or watering, thus benefiting the environment and reducing maintenance costs. Visit : http://www.toronto.ca/trees/pdfs/Fact_2_How_to_Select_and_Buy_Native_Plants.pdf for a list of some examples of native plants and trees in our area.