With the bloom of spring finally breaking through the doldrums of winter, it’s time for homeowners to begin thinking about exterior projects around the home. For many of us, that includes replacing drafty, inefficient windows with newer, high efficiency models.
With the massive window rebate program recently launched here in Ontario, there is no better time to consider a window upgrade than right now. In accordance with this new window upgrade rebate program, homeowners can receive a rebate of up to $500 per window, to a maximum rebate of $5,000 for the entire project. What’s more, is that this “extra cash” will make it easier to make additional updates to your home.
Here are a few fantastic ways to consider reinvesting your rebate money.
Update Your Windows Screens
While you’re in the process of updating your windows, you may as well update the screens as well.
Studies show that old-style frames prevent around 38 per cent of the natural light from entering your home. What’s worse, is they block your view and may contribute to increased condensation too. With less sun filtration and the dampness of condensation in the room, the natural reaction is to turn up your heat to maintain the home’s comfort. That is where opting for next generation screens can help.
“Phantom window screens are superior alternatives to old-style framed screens in a number of important areas.” Explains Holly Attfield of Ontario Screen Systems Inc, Ontario’s distributor of Phantom Screens.
Since these screens are retractable, either manually or via remote control, they allow 100 per cent of the light into your home when not in use.
Add a New Garage Door
With a maximum $5,000 rebate, you can afford to pay for the purchase and installation of a new garage door (depending on the style and size). Since your garage door plays such a prominent part in your home’s curb appeal and also provides essential security, updating a door that’s old or broken is something that shouldn’t be put off.
Bring Life to Your Backyard
Invest your window rebate in improved backyard living. $5,000 can go long way toward turning your backyard into the family’s favourite place to be. Improve your deck, re-sod, invest in professional landscaping, or install a new patio.
Invest in Home Comfort
While upgrades behind the walls may bot feel as exciting as those you can see, improving your home’s insulation is one of the most important upgrades you can make. Once you’ve upgraded to higher efficiency windows, it only makes sense to tackle your home’s insulation with the rebate money. With $5,000 you can consider spray foam as an option. Some benefits of spray foam insulation included energy costs of approximately 30 – 50% each year, noise reduction, reduction of pollen and dust in the home.
To learn more about exterior home projects, landscape, windows and other home improvement topics, visit eieihome.com.
