This is an exciting new area and is changing

monthly!! 

We are researching solar power, wind power and water reclaimation. 

Stay posted to our website for further information!

For some interesting facts on Okanagan Real Estate scroll to the bottom of this page....

 

Energy Efficiency & Upgrade Options

Energy effiency through insulation, geothermal heating and cooling and window type

 

 

Geothermal Fast Facts:

             

• Geothermal heat pumps tap into the solar energy stored in the earth and are a renewable energy technology

• Installing a geothermal heating and cooling system can reduce green house gas emissions by two-thirds or more compared with conventional heating and cooling systems

• Heating and cooling costs can be reduced by 30% to 60%, providing a substantial return on investment

• There are financial grants and rebates offered by local utilities and Government departments

• Geothermal heat pump tax rebates (2009):  Approximately: 

• Federal $ 3500

• Provincial $1250

• Renovation up to $1350 (Home renovation tax credit)

Air Source Heat Pumps:

• Air source heat pumps are very efficient using about 1/3 of the electricity of a  forced-air furnace

• Used to heat and cool the home

• Low energy, sustainable technology

• Can be added to an existing furnace

• Air Source heat pump tax rebates (2009):  Approximately: 

• Federal $ 400

• Provincial  $1450

• Renovation $1350 (Home renovation tax credit)

Insulation Fast Facts and Benefits:

• Blow-in-blanket insulation blows easily into any configuration, fills the space completely which controls sound and reduces air infiltration in the wall cavity

• Lasts for the life of your home

• Contains no formaldehyde

• Will not support mold growth

• Highest installed R-Values

• Seamless installation, no gaps or voids

• Highest density, will not settle or shrink

• Superior Sound deadening

• Helps to qualify your home for an Energy Efficient Mortgage

 

Low-E Argon Windows Compared to Clear Glass Windows:

 

• Most homes built before the mid 1990's have clear glass window

• Low E windows have a low emissivity coating and are argon gas filled keeping the level of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer to a minimum

• In winter in the Okanagan, heat transfers from the indoors out.  Clear glass loses 34 BTU/hr/sq ft while Low E windows only lose 17 - 20 BTU/hr/sq ft.  You can lose up to double the amount of heat from your home!

• In the summer in the Okanagan, we gain heat from the outdoors.  By reflecting the sun and heat, our heat gain can be reduced up to 65% by using Low E windows

• Annual energy costs can decrease from 25 - 50% using the various forms of Low-E argon filled windows

• Visit www.cardinalcorp.com for more information and complete an energy analysis report on your home to see the potential saving using Low-E windows

 

Dual Flush Toilets:

 

• Dual force technology allows the choice of .8 gallon flush for liquid or light waste and 1.6 gallon flush for bulk or solid waste

• Savings of up to 24,000 gallons of water per year for the average family of 4

• Two-button actuator provides easy-to-use flushing options

• Savings functionality that's light on the environment without sacrificing performance

 

 

 

Good Real Estate Lasts!

The Chinese have used real estate holdings for wealth creation for 2000 years.  All huge fortunes were either started or extended with real estate.  In North America, home ownership has been the single largest factor in accumulation of wealth. Put into perspective, if you place a good portion of your assets into real estate today, you won’t have to worry about tomorrow. 

In the last 3 decades, stock markets have surged up and down. Through all of this, the average folk watched their savings get chewed away by insidious inflation. One asset that has weathered the changes is real estate!

One thing is for certain – over the years, the base values of real estate have been steadily increasing.  For example, in Vancouver in 1960, the average home sold for $13,105. In 1988 it was up to $310,000 - up almost 2300% and then in 2008 the average home sold for $895,000,  a return of almost 6830%.

In the Okanagan, waterfront real estate has also shown a dramatic increase.  In 1995, the average price of a lakefront property was $293,400 and then in 1998 it was up 14% to $334,500.  In December 2008, the average waterfront property sold for $1,403,450 – a dramatic increase of almost 479%.