Person using electric drill on a piece of wood for their home improvement project

If you’ve been thinking of starting a home improvement project this summer, don’t delay! The cold weather will be back before you know it. There’s no better time than during the warmer summer months to work on outdoor projects (or indoor projects that require a well-ventilated workspace). Summer home improvements can range from small repairs to major remodelling projects. All of these projects require that you invest varying amounts of money to complete them but will ultimately enhance the overall value of your home. Here are just a few home improvement projects that we think are perfect for summer.

Replacing Windows

Old windows can be a significant cause of heat loss during winter. The longer you wait to replace them, the more you will be paying in heating costs. When you replace your windows, you can also find a new window style that uniquely suits your home and budget by choosing a more energy efficient option. Some more energy efficient styles include windows with multiple panes of glass for better insulation and low-E glass windows which have special coatings to reflect infrared light and keep the heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer.

Re-Siding Your Exterior

Old siding often develops rot, mould and mildew over time which make a new paint job insufficient for addressing the problem. Also, if your siding has loose or missing boards your home is likely less weather resistant and (like old windows) this can contribute to higher heating costs in the winter. The consistently warm weather that comes with summer makes it the best time to take on this outdoor project. When you decide to re-side your home, not only will it make your home look brand new but it will offer structural benefits as well.

Replacing Your Roof

A roof in the middle of a home improvement project where the shingles are being replaced.

With the heavy snowfalls we get in Alberta your roof has probably endured a lot over the winter. The average roof last 15-20 years before it needs to be replaced, if you’re in that window of time or over, we suggest you consider replacing your roof this summer. Some other indicators that your home needs a new roof are: if your shingles are curling, missing, cracked or covered with moss, if you notice your roof is sagging at all, or if you can see any sunlight from your attic.

Installing New Countertops

As an indoor project, a kitchen renovation like replacing your countertops might seem like something you could do any time of the year. However, because the old countertops need to be moved out and the new ones moved in this can be an extremely difficult task to complete during the winter when sidewalks are icy and the air is frigid. The best signs that it is time to replace your countertops are when your countertops no longer match the design of your kitchen, are too difficult to maintain and/or are damaged beyond repair. However, before you go shopping for new countertops, do some research and have a good idea of what countertop best suits your kitchen work habits, the care involved for the material and proper measurements so you can estimate material costs.

Paint Your House (Interior and/or Exterior)

open paint cans with brushes.

Painting a house is one of the fastest ways to increase both its value and aesthetic appeal. This is probably the easiest way to update the look of your home in the least amount of time. Aside from picking the perfect colour, the next hardest decision is whether to hire a professional painter or do it yourself. If you do it yourself you will eliminate the labour costs but don’t underestimate the time commitment and amount of work involved.

Summer home improvement projects are all about updating the look of your home and preparing it structurally for the fall and winter months. If you put the time and money into any of these projects, they will likely add significant value to your home, and some will help you save on energy in the long run. Not all of these projects will apply to you, and you don’t need to worry about all of them! We hope our list of ideas has inspired you for your summer home improvement project and helped you become more aware of ways you can increase the value of your home this season.

Check out some of our home improvement projects in our gallery.

Have a home improvement project in mind for this summer? Contact us!


Energy Efficient Alberta logo

Almost 20% of the energy consumed in Canada is used to run our homes. With this in mind, the amount of energy your home needs to function, energy efficiency is more relevant than ever! Energy-efficient homes can be linked to increased comfort and healthier living. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cost of owning and maintaining your home.

If you’re an Albertan homeowner and would like to improve the efficiency of your home these rebates can help you spend less to achieve that goal. We know keeping track of all the tax deductions and energy efficiency rebates available can be overwhelming. That’s why we compiled a list of available rebates for Albertans looking to do energy-conserving home improvement projects and save big in the process.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Green Home

With CMHC’s Green Home Program, you can save when you invest in an energy-efficient home. If you buy, build, or renovate for energy efficiency using CMHC-insured financing, you could receive a 15% rebate for building a home to ENERGY STAR® standards or up to 25% for building a home to R-2000 building standards.

Energy Efficiency Alberta (EEA) Home Improvement Rebate Program

EEA’s Home Improvement Rebates are performance-based. Meaning, the more energy your home improvement project saves, the more money you’ll get back in rebate. When you work with a participating Alberta contractor to increase the energy efficiency of your home, you have the opportunity to save big!

Drain Water Heat Recovery

Drain water heat recovery (DWHR) devices capture heat destined for the sewer and transfer it to cold water coming into your hot water heater. This results in less energy being required to heat your water to the desired temperature. You can receive up to $500 from EEA, for the installation of a new DWHR device.

Insulation

By improving the insulation in your home, you can reduce your energy expenses and increase your home’s value! Energy Efficiency Alberta’s rebates available for insulation are based on where the insulation is applied, how much insulation is added and how many square feet receive the upgrade. Rebates of up to $3500 are available for the installation of new insulation in your home.

Windows

When you upgrade your windows to new ENERGY STAR® triple pane, argon windows you increase your home’s value and increase air tightness. Further, they can reduce energy loss and road noise. Rebates of up to $1500 are available for the installation of new, energy-efficient windows.

Tankless Hot Water Heater

An ENERGY STAR® approved tankless water heater takes up less space in your home and wastes less energy. Additionally, tankless water heaters provide hot water faster than traditional hot water heaters. With rebates of up to $1000 available for installing a tankless hot water heater, it’s the most cost-effective way to heat your water!

Red Deer Toilet Rebate Program

With Red Deer’s Toilet Rebate Program, you can save money, save water and save energy! Replace your high-flow toilet with a dual-flush toilet and receive a $50 rebate. Or, replace it with a low-flow toilet (6 L or less) and receive a $25 rebate.

If you want some more information on how you can save on energy, check out Energy Efficiency Alberta’s Home Efficiency Tool. This tool will help you discover how much power and money you can save by upgrading appliances, lighting and more in your home.

Check out some of our home improvement projects in our gallery.

Considering a home renovation project? Want to learn more about how we can help you improve the energy efficiency of your home? Contact us!