Sun over a home. Woman popping out of the home with a snowflake in the background.

Spring checkup

10 ways to cool your home efficiently

Book a spring tune-up
Annual servicing can reduce your cooling costs by up to 10 per cent and extend the life of your system.

Change or clean furnace filters
Clogged filters restrict airflow and make your system work overtime. Refer to your owner's manual to see how often you should do this.

Deal with your ducts
About 20 per cent of airflow is lost to leaks. Seal cracks and holes with mastic sealant or foil tape – this will also help control humidity.

Clear away clutter
Keep weeds and debris away from your outdoor condenser unit to allow the air to circulate freely. Prune foliage at least 24 cm back.

Set to save
Set your thermostat to 25°C when you are at home. Raise it to 28°C (or, better yet, off) when you are away.

Shade to save
Plant trees or shrubs to shade your outdoor condenser and improve efficiency by up to 10%. Keep your thermostat out of direct sunlight as well.

Let your attic breathe
Proper attic ventilation can reduce the strain on your central air conditioner by moving hot air out.

Switch on the fans
Remove heat and humidity by using your bathroom fan during and after a shower and your range hood while cooking.

Seal the leaks
Caulk, seal or weatherstrip around doors and windows to keep hot air out and cool air in.

Close the blinds
Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day to block out the sunlight and naturally cool your home.

Shopping for a central air conditioner?

Man standing beside a new air conditioning unit

An ENERGY STAR® certified high-efficiency model can cut cooling costs as much as 30 per cent*. While you may pay a little more up front, you will save on energy costs over time.

Added benefits:

✔ Proven reliability
✔ Quiet performance
✔ Better warranty protection
✔ Improved air quality
✔ Use less energy

* Assumes replacement of a model 12 years or older.

Look for the labels

The official Canadian EnerGuide label displays the model type and seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER. The SEER measures how efficiently the system runs over the entire cooling season. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. You can use this rating to compare the energy efficiency of different models.

The most energy-efficient units will also be ENERGY STAR® certified.

Illustration of a sun with a high thermometer

Rooms served by your air conditioner are too hot

Your system is more than 10 years old

It’s unusually noisy

Your home’s air is too humid

You need major parts replaced

Did you know?

Central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners.

How to choose

Choosing a contractor:

Start with our list of participating contractors near you
Read online reviews
Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations (check to ensure they are on the list of participating contractors)
Get at least three quotes and compare estimates
Ask for an inspection of your current system
Get everything in writing
Ask about rebates for high-efficiency systems
Ensure your contractor has general liability insurance to protect yourself
Ask about services post-installation, including annual servicing, maintenance, etc.

What to look for

What to look for in an agreement:

Detailed list of all work to be completed
Itemized list of all equipment to be installed, including name, quantity, model number and energy rating
Proof of warranty for both the equipment and installation
Documentation of sizing calculations or results of any tests performed
Liability insurance information (minimum of $2 million)
Proof of licences and certification to install an ENERGY STAR® certified CAC system :
313A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Licence or
313D Residential Air Conditioning Licence
Payment terms and schedule
Start and completion date

What to expect

Annual servicing: Your contractor should:

Check refrigerant levels and test for leaks
Clean condenser coils
Replace or clean air filters
Inspect ductwork for air leaks
Measure airflow through the evaporator coil
Inspect, clean and tighten electrical connections
Lubricate motors and inspect belts
Check thermostat and controls for accuracy

Cool tip: Double up and save

Your central air conditioner and furnace share a blower motor to push air through your ducts. If it's about time to replace both your heating and cooling systems, your new AC will perform at maximum efficiency if you do it at the same time.

More than $4,000* in heating and cooling rebates

Get a $600 cooling rebate

when you install a new high-efficiency central air conditioner

Newer models are more reliable and less prone to breakdowns.

Must be ENERGY STAR^® certified, minimum 18+ SEER/13 EER rating.

Get a $250 heating rebate

when you replace your furnace with a new high-efficiency model

Reduces home heating costs by 25% per year^†

Must be equipped with ECM motor. Offer ends December 31, 2018.

Electrically-heated home?

Get up to $4,000

when you install an air source heat pump (ASHP)

Save up to 50% on heating costs^†. Also works for cooling!

BONUS!

Get $50 when you install a new adaptive thermostat. Reduce energy costs up to 15%

Hydronic heating system?

Get $30

when you install a new ECM circulator pump for your hydronic heating system

Significantly increases energy savings and is easy to install

Must have a variable-speed ECM motor

See program details

*Incentives are available for installation of eligible equipment completed between January 1 and December 31, and submitted no later than February 1. Subject to additional terms and conditions found here. Equipment must be purchased from and installed by a participating contractor. ^†Estimated annual electricity cost savings are based on past program experience. Actual savings may vary. Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. TM Trademark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. Used under license.

Your Essential Home Cooling Guide

Save your energy dollars with these simple tips and tricks.

Most of your energy dollars go towards controlling the temperature of your home. Instead of blasting the air conditioner, check out these ideas to help cool your home as efficiently as possible.

Stay comfortable all while controlling your costs.

In addition to the tips below, visit the Energy Hub for additional tips and tricks and explore energy saving resources for your home.

Visit Energy Hub

Home cooling tips & tricks

10 Ways to Cool Your Home Efficiently

Close Your Blinds

Keep your windows covered during the hottest summer days to block the sun and naturally cool your home.

Set to Save

By raising your thermostat a degree or two, you can save a lot over the course of the year. Set it to 25⁰C when you are home, and 28⁰C when you're gone.

Seal the Leaks

Caulk, seal or weatherstrip around doors and windows to keep hot air out and cool air in.

Switch on the Fans

Remove heat and humidity by using your bathroom fan during and after a shower and your range hood while cooking.

Clear Away Clutter

Keep weeds and debris clear of your outdoor air conditioning unit, to allow air to circulate freely. Cut foliage at least 24cm back of the unit.

Change or Clean Furnace Filters

Clogged filters restrict airflow and make system work harder than it should. Refer to your owner's manual, or Google your system specs to see how often you should do this.

Book a Tune-Up

Annual furnace and air conditioning servicing can reduce your costs by up to 10 per cent and extend the life of your system.

Deal with Your Ducts

About 20 per cent of airflow is lost to leaks. Seal cracks and holes with mastic sealant or foil tape – this will also help control humidity.

Shade to Save

Plant trees or shrubs around your outdoor air conditioning unit (at least 24cm away) to improve efficiency by up to 10%. Keep your thermostat out of the sunlight as well.

Let Your Attic Breathe

Proper attic ventilation can reduce the strain on your central air conditioner by moving hot air out.

Is it time for a new central air conditioner?

An ENERGY STAR®-certified high-efficiency model can cut cooling costs as much as 30 per cent*. While you may pay a little more up front, you will save on energy costs over time.

Proven reliability

Quiet performance

Better warranty protection

Improved air quality

Use less energy

* Assumes replacement of a model 12 years or older.

Think about upgrading if:

Some rooms in your house are always too hot

Your system is more than 10 years old

It’s unusually noisy

Your home’s air is too humid

You need major parts replaced or repaired

Look for the labels

The most energy-efficient units will also be ENERGY STAR®-certified.

Au naturel: home ventilation

Of all the ways to cool your home, ventilation is the least costly and most energy efficient

Install Ceiling Fans

A ceiling fan allows you to raise your thermostat by 4°C without affecting your comfort. Set blades to run in a counter-clockwise direction to circulate cool air downwards.

Create a Cross Breeze

Open a few windows to create cross ventilation. For the best results, open a lower window on one side of your home and an upper window on the opposite side.