Divine inspiration for green homeowners and first-time homebuyers

Paul Daly is best-known as the home improvement hunk from W Network’s Divine Design and will be the main attraction of the Canadian Home Workshop Show in Toronto next March. However, he is also an integral part of the Canadian Home Energy Conservation Council (CHECC) Advisory Board, a body established by EnWise Power Solutions to provide Canadians with advice on environmentally-friendly home improvements.

We interviewed Paul during his busy filming schedule to give Ontarians the inside track on what to prioritize when greening your home or looking for a new one.

NC: Regarding energy inefficiency, what’s the worst case you’ve seen?
PD: “I have many horror stories. The worst was a home with windows so old that they rippled in the wind. The house only had a wood-burning fire, so the temperature in the winter was almost the same inside as out. We raised the indoor temperature by 20 degrees by simply upgrading the doors and plastic-wrapping the windows. For me, this is the big thing about EnWise – if you don’t know where to begin then in under an hour of auditing, they can advise what to do that’ll make an immediate difference to your home, and your pocket. They’ll get the work done for you too, which removes a lot of hassle.”

NC: Thanks to the Australian and BC governments people tend to think about low-energy, CFC light bulbs as a first environmental step, but does it end there when it comes to lighting?
PD: “Badly-planned lighting is one of those mistakes that affect any size home. If everyone in Canada switched just one bulb in their home to a compact fluorescent one, Canada would save over $73 million in energy costs that year alone! Before they install light fixtures homeowners should also consider how many, and what kind they really need. Some places have three times the quantity of lights they need. In addition homeowners should follow my simple rules: 1. Use dimmer switches where you can so you’re not maxing-out your electricity bill every time you switch on. 2. Check the voltage – you probably don’t need as much as you think. 3. When positioning lights, keep them at least 16 inches from the walls and 12 inches away from TV cabinets or other light sources. This will make sure light bounces back into the room, make it more even, and stop any from being wasted.”

NC: What would you recommend first-time homeowners and prospective buyers check to ensure their homes are energy-efficient?
PD: “You’re fairly safe with a new home but with older ones head down to the basement. Check that the walls are finished and insulated rather than just exposed concrete, which leaks heat like a sieve. Also check that the rest of the walls and the roof are properly insulated, preferably with blown insulation. If it’s wintertime then check the outside walls and the roof of the house; if there’s any melt, it means heat is escaping. Remember though, when it comes to home improvements, don’t start any projects you can’t finish. Or make it easy on yourself and contact EnWise.”

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