During the coldest periods of the year, it is quite legitimate to wonder about our heating costs. Obviously, winter is the period when the heating system is working at full capacity. If it is powered by electricity, it is quite normal that your bill is higher. Moreover, for the same type of dwelling, the consumption related to heating differs from one region to another. For example, since the winter is longer and colder in Rouyn-Noranda, heating will necessarily be more expensive. So even if you don’t touch your thermostat, the bill will be more expensive in winter because your heating system will have to work much harder to maintain the same temperature, the one that ensures a minimum of comfort during the coldest weather. The following blog post will attempt to answer some of your questions related to the costs associated with turning your heating up or down.
Energy Billing
In Quebec, the energy bill is based on the total consumption during a given period. For example, if your consumption period is 62 days, you are entitled to 2,480 kWh at the first rate of 6.159¢/kWh for the equivalent of 40 kilowatt hours per day. If you exceed this energy expenditure, you will be charged the second tier price of 9.502¢/kWh. These are the current rates that generally apply to domestic use, which is the use of electricity in a home. Decrease the temperature by just one degree Celsius and you could reduce your heating costs by 5 to 7%. This means that after a certain energy expenditure, your electricity costs you more. It is therefore important to save energy to ensure that your bill is not too expensive.
How to reduce your bill in winter?
In order to reduce your heating costs, several solutions exist. The first is to address air leaks. Indeed, reducing air leaks and thermal insulation will have a strong influence on your total bill. Warm air leakage and cold air infiltration accounts for 25% of total heat loss. In anticipation of winter, it is therefore recommended to caulk windows and doors and to install weather stripping.
You can also install removable plastic heat-shrink film on windows when you feel air infiltration. In addition to reducing leakage around the sash, these films reduce heat loss through the glazing by creating an air space. Heat leakage and cold air infiltration also occur through the outlet covers. It is therefore a good idea to install foam pads between the plate and the socket and switch box to reduce heat loss through the exterior walls. Also, don’t forget to seal around pipes and ventilation outlets.
Cleaning the exterior outlet dampers of air extractors is also very important. We’re talking about range hoods, bathroom exhaust fans, air exchanger outlets and dryers so that they can operate at full capacity. It may also be time to replace them with newer, more efficient models. If these ducts are not cleaned properly, the appliances will have to work much harder for the same result and your bill will suffer.
If you think your pipes could use a good cleaning to do an effective job, don’t hesitate to contact professionals. They will be happy to do the work for you.
Summer pollen allergies or “hay fever” as it is commonly called, can have a significant impact on allergy sufferers and those with respiratory conditions including asthma. Ensuring that you have a high quality of indoor air is an important step to easing the symptoms and helping everyone breathe easy during periods with high pollen counts.
And that’s where we come in!
As your Ottawa and Gatineau clean air specialists, the team here at Solution D’Air will share some tips for how to keep pollen out during hay fever season so that even those with the most severe summer allergies can enjoy the season. If you have questions about your indoor air, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help!
What Is a Pollen Allergy?
Pollen is a fine, dry dust which is released each spring, summer and fall from plants to travel in the wind and fertilize other plants of the same species. Different types of trees, weeds and grasses follow their own pollination schedules which can often overlap and make it seem like a never-ending cycle of green and yellow powder on our cars, patios, and in our noses.
Common allergenic pollens in the Gatineau, Ottawa and Outaouais region include:
- Alder (March-June)
- Ash (April to June)
- Beech (April to June)
- Birch (March to June)
- Cedars, Junipers and Yew (March to June)
- Chestnuts (May to July)
- Elm (April to May)
- Grasses (May to October)
- Hemlock (May to June)
- Hickory (May to June)
- Maple (March to May)
- Nettles (June to September)
- Oak (April to June)
- Pine, Fir and Spruce (April to July)
- Plantains (June to October)
- Poplar, Cottonwood and Aspen (March to May)
- Ragweed (July to October)
- Sagebrush (July to October)
See what we mean by never ending cycle? Our region is rich with diversity in its trees, grasses and plants, and with that comes a very long pollen season each year. For those with seasonal allergies, taking steps to ensuring high quality indoor air is especially important.
Symptoms of a pollen allergy include:
- runny nose and mucus production
- sneezing
- itchy nose, eyes, ears and mouth
- stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- red and watery eyes
- swelling around the eyes
Once pollen has been introduced into your home, whether transferred from shoes, clothing, pets or through open windows, it can remain on floors, carpets, bedding and surfaces for extended periods of time and cause these symptoms to last even longer. Taking extra precautions to house clean and filter your air will go a long way to minimizing these symptoms.
Filtered Indoor Air – the best defence against pollen
The best defence against seasonal pollen when indoors is by using a HVAC or ductless air conditioner to filter out any pollen dust that makes its way into the home. By keeping windows closed and relying on your system’s filter to capture the small particles of pollen, allergy sufferers are able to reduce their symptoms. Some homeowners opt for higher quality and hypoallergenic filters during peak pollen season to increase their level of protection.
Remember: it is important to change your HVAC air conditioner or furnace filter, and clean your wall-mounted air conditioner on a regular basis during pollen season so that it doesn’t become clogged and make your motor work harder than it should.
Other DIY ways to keep out pollen
In addition to running your clean air conditioner during allergy season, there are a number of other simple things you can do to help reduce the amount of pollen in your home. By taking these easy steps, you can help to maintain the high quality of your indoor air created by your HVAC and wall-mounted ductless air conditioner.
5 tips improving your indoor air quality by reducing pollen:
- Shower and fully shampoo your hair before bed to remove any pollen that you’ve collected throughout the day and keep your bedding pollen free.
- Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
- Keep pets indoors or limit close contact with them if they’ve been outside on high pollen count days. .
- Immediately change out of outdoor clothes when entering your home. Launder them before putting them away or wearing them again.
- Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer, not on an outdoor line on days with a high pollen count.
Trust the professionals
If you are ready for some outside help to improve your indoor air quality to reduce summer allergies, please contact us. We can help assess the main reasons for poor indoor air quality in your home and offer solutions to help you and your family breathe easier. We serve the Gatineau, Ottawa and Outaouais region for residential, commercial and industrial clean air needs.
# RBQ : 5739-7259-01
Tel.: 819-815-1700
