Take this insulation tour for a real energy savings trip

(NC)—Did you know that a third of all air leakage in a home can be attributed to walls, floors and ceilings? You might think your home is well insulated, but if it has conventional air permeable fibreglass or cellulose insulation, gaps, seams or damage could compromise its performance.

Taking a tour of your home's insulation may not sound like much fun, but it could be a sound investment in energy and money savings. Here's a checklist for the four key stops to make on your tour, courtesy of the industry specialists at Icynene and at www.icynene.com:

Stop #1—The Attic

• Look out for sagging insulation batts or gaps.

• Are there any signs of moisture or mould on the insulation?

• Make sure soffit vents are not covered by insulation to maintain airflow.

Stop #2—The Basement

• Check insulation around the rim joists (where your first floor meets the basement foundation walls) for gaps.

• Seal any penetrations that go through the basement ceiling to the floor above, including those for electrical and plumbing service.

• Look for signs of moisture or mould on the insulation.

Stop #3—The Crawl Space

• Make sure the floor above a crawlspace is well insulated to keep heat from escaping into the crawlspace and to make your floors more comfortable.

• Check to make sure insulation has a moisture barrier or consider Icynene's closed cell spray foam insulation option that can provide a built-in vapour barrier.

• Check for signs of moisture or mould on the insulation.

Stop #4—The Room Over the Garage

• Is the room too cold in the winter and too warm in the summer? It might benefit from spray foam insulation for complete air sealing and proper adhesion to the garage ceiling.

• Look for sagging insulation batts and gaps.

• Check for signs of moisture on the insulation.

www.newscanada.com

Canadian real estate in the “middle of the pack” globally: Report

A report from Scotiabank Group says average house prices in Canada continue to rise, although Edmonton was the only city listed that prices actually fell from 2010 to 2011.

Of the major Canadian cities listed in the report, Edmonton was the only city to experience a real estate price drop between 2010 and 2011.

Read more: http://www.canada.com/business/Canadian+real+estate+middle+pack+globally+Report/5888983/story.html#ixzz1hC7fE8TL

Housing affordability improves slightly

RBC has put out a new report indicating low interest rates are keeping house prices in Canada affordable.

A new report finds low interest rates are keeping Canadian house prices within reach of homebuyers in many markets.

Read the full article...

Winter Grilling Tips & Tricks

(NC)—Barbecuing isn't just for the lazy days of summer. Delicious grilled meals are easy to prepare year-round. Here are a few tips for winter barbecuing that are important to remember before you get the snow shovel out.
• Always pre-heat your barbecue. Pre-heat to 400º f – 450º f at minimum, and adjust the temperature from there. Remember, if food doesn't sizzle when you put it on the grill, your barbecue is not hot enough.
• If you are grilling with charcoal, include more charcoal for increased pre-heating time and extra heat while grilling.
• Cooking times may change with extreme cold; always use an instant read thermometer to ensure that foods are cooked thoroughly.
• Grill with the lid down – heat loss on a cold day is significantly greater than a warm summer day – keeping your barbecue at a consistent temperature will be very difficult with the lid open.
• When grilling on a windy day, try to reduce your exposure to the wind – if grilling at lower temperatures, keep an eye on your barbecue to ensure that it does not blow out. If you do need to move your barbecue out of the wind, keep minimum clearances in mind to avoid damaging your deck or home.
• Clear a work area around your barbecue – this won't impact cooking time, but having enough room to work without filling your boots with snow makes for a much more enjoyable barbecue experience and avoids any untimely slips or falls.
• Lighting – several lighting options are available – some barbecues have built in lighting, and add-on handle lights are available so you're not grilling in the dark. Broil King offers a variety of lighting options for their barbecues.
• Never use your barbecue indoors, in your garage, or in an enclosed area. Carbon Monoxide accumulation, accidental fire damage, and smoke damage are all possible – it's not worth the risk.
More information on grilling and great recipe ideas is available at www.broilkingbbq.com
Clear off that barbecue and get grilling!
www.newscanada.com