Reliance is a leading sponsor and project manager for the Green Home Makeover project in Peel – a Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) initiative to select one home to participate in a free Green Home Makeover. The Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan (SNAP) Makeover will show residents how to save water and energy and reduce utility bills by choosing efficient products inside and outside the home.

SNAP is an innovative pilot program led by the TRCA in collaboration with regional, municipal and community partners. This program also seeks partnership and support from a range of green businesses, community groups and academic organizations.

In partnership with local stakeholders, including residents, businesses, local groups and institutions, the project seeks to develop action plans to improve the local environment on the neighbourhood scale and build resiliency against climate change by greening local infrastructure and encouraging positive behavioural changes among residents. Based on the existing conditions of each locale, the project sets neighbourhood-level targets and identifies key actions on private and public property to address environmental objectives in the context of social and economic considerations. Each plan builds a business case for implementation by measuring individual and community benefits and cost savings.

As part of the County Court SNAP, one home was selected to participate in a free Green Home Makeover! The goals of the Green Home Makeover are to:

• Showcase innovative eco-friendly home improvements and retrofits for single detached homes
• Educate homeowners and the building industry on new technology installation and maintenance
• Support monitoring and evaluation of innovative sustainable technologies
• Provide an on-the-ground illustration of retrofit benefits and connect people with how-to information

The Makeover is led by the TRCA in partnership with private sector sponsors, utilities, municipal partners, and water, landscape and green building industry associations.

Home selection

In February 2011, the TRCA and partners invited residents from across the County Court neighbourhood to attend an information session and to apply for the Makeover. Ten applications were received and reviewed by a selection jury made up of representatives from TRCA, the City of Brampton, the Region of Peel and major sponsors. The jury reviewed the results of water, energy and landscape audits as well as homeowner interviews to evaluate and select the successful candidate. The objective was to identify a home that demonstrated the greatest need of upgrade and had the greatest potential to show change, and homeowners who would be interested in sharing their experiences with others in the neighbourhood and media.

To find out more about the lucky home and homeowners, click here!

What technologies and renovations might be included?

The Green Home Makeover will consist of a suite of green home products and renovations, including a high-efficiency HVAC system, insulation and weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, Energy Star windows and doors, low-flow toilets, rain barrels, a permeable driveway, water-efficient landscaping for the front yard, and other innovative green technologies and products

Each one of the products and renovations was generously donated to the project by sponsors.

Green Home Makeover outcomes:

Green renovations and products as part of the Makeover will contribute to:

• Improved energy and water efficiency in the home
• Reduced utility bills
• Improved comfort of the home

By monitoring reductions in water and energy use, and associated financial savings for two years after the renovation, we will show homeowners why and how they should invest in similar projects at home.

Upon completion of all renovations, the home will be showcased at an official ribbon-cutting celebration, through a number of home tours and on our website. Check our website regularly for updates.

Staycations are the latest travel trend. A staycation is unique in that vacationers stay home instead of going away. Whether choosing to spend time lounging by the family pool or checking out local sites and attractions, you can still shut off and spend some time away from the daily grind.

Staycations are a great alternative to conventional travel, especially if you are tight on cash and time. With the rising price of gas and airfare, it is now very expensive for the average family to travel. For many, the cost of flying is enough to deter them from vacationing altogether. The nice thing about a staycation is that whether you decide to stay home, rent a small cottage or check into a local hotel for a few days, the cost to physically travel is substantially reduced.

It also reduces the amount of time you will spend reaching your destination. With conventional travel, you can easily lose two days going to and from your destination, and that’s before any potential travel delays. This doesn’t really leave you with much time to unwind and enjoy the full benefit of your vacation.

When planning a staycation you need to get creative and set boundaries for yourself and your family so that you reap the same benefits as taking a conventional vacation. One way to do this is to create a list of dos and don’ts. For example, you may want to completely disconnect by turning off your BlackBerry or iPhone and not answer your home phone. If you don’t want to cook every night, make a list of local restaurants you want to try. The point is that you want to deter yourself from taking on any task that reminds you of your everyday life.

Here are a few other things to consider when planning your staycation:

Choose specific times and dates. To prevent any interruptions, let your friends and family know of your plans to take a staycation. Ask them to treat your staycation as any other vacation.

Decide what you want to do. Depending on how much time you have, give some thought to what you’d like to do. If you only have a week, consider dividing your time between your home and a local hotel or resort. If going to a hotel isn’t an option, there are always lots of fun things to see and do locally. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce for upcoming events and attractions in your community.

Turn off the alarm clock. You’re on staycation! Sleep is mandatory, and there really isn’t any reason to set your alarm, unless of course you’ve got something super-special planned.

Forget the household chores. When you are on a staycation, refrain from doing any of your regular household chores. Leave the laundry, banking and general cleaning until you are “back” from your staycation.

Choose activities you normally wouldn’t do. One way to do this is for each family member to pick something they’d really like to do or have always wanted to do. Plan out each activity accordingly. You will also want to allot some downtime to do things such as read, play a board game or watch a movie.

What are your ideas and tips on how to have a proper staycation?

Everyone knows that sunscreen prevents sunburns. What most people don’t know is how to choose the right sunscreen for their skin.

Effective this year, the FDA in the United States is imposing new regulations for all sunscreen manufacturers. These changes are aimed at clarifying misleading sunscreen labels and strive to ensure consumers are as protected as possible. Some of the changes include the type of sunscreen, a water-resistant claim accompanied by a number indicating how long protection lasts while in water, removal of all marketing claims (i.e., sweatproof, waterproof, all-day protection, etc.), a mandatory drug facts box accompanied by a statement about how often the sunscreen needs to be reapplied, and finally, a skin cancer prevention claim.

Although these changes have yet to be formally adopted in Canada, Health Canada said it is reviewing its sunscreen rules in the wake of the FDA’s move. These changes will likely find their way to Canadian store shelves in the near future.

Over the last several years, the efficacy of sunscreen has been called into question by numerous health agencies, some going as far as suggesting that sunscreen may not prevent skin cancer but actually increase the risk. While the jury is still out on these and numerous other claims, most agencies will agree that anyone over six months of age should be using sunscreen to prevent their skin from being burned.

Selecting the right sunscreen can be a challenging and confusing task, so here are a few things to consider when purchasing sunscreen for you and your family, as suggested by WebMD:

• Ideally, you want a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
• Select a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher for UVB protection. To determine which SPF to choose, take the amount of time in which you’d normally burn and multiply that number by your sunscreen’s factor number. This will give you the number of minutes you have until your skin starts to burn.
• For children, look for kid-friendly sunscreens with an SPF 15 or higher for UVB protection. Children under six months of age are advised to stay out of the sun altogether.
• Check the expiration date.
• Be sure to apply it properly. Most health experts suggest applying sunscreen daily to get the best results. A minimum of two tablespoons should be applied to the whole body 15-30 minutes before you go outside. Be sure to consult the label on your sunscreen to determine how often it needs to be reapplied and aim to wear it every time you go outside.

While sunscreen can prevent sunburn when used as directed, there are additional things you can do to protect you and your family from the sun’s harmful rays, including staying in the shade as much as possible, staying indoors during peak hours, and wearing sunglasses and hats.

For more tips on how to protect you and your family from the sun this summer, check out:
http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/top-sun-safety-tips/

For more information regarding the FDA’s new sunscreen regulations, click here.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingOver-the-CounterMedicines/ucm258468.htm

Additional sources:
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/skincareproducts/l/blsunscreen.htm
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/whats-best-sunscreen
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/conditions/health-skin-care/uva-v-uvb-health-canada-reviewing-sunscreen-rules/article2065432/

The warm weather is upon us and it brings the return of our favourite summer pastimes. Whether you are planning a family vacation, swapping your winter boots for flip-flops or preparing your vegetable garden, we all have something we really look forward to in the summer months.  

For many, the month of May signals the start of farmers’ market season, and as markets across the country prepare to greet the public, we thought we’d take this opportunity to share a few reasons why you should consider buying from your local farmers’ market this summer:

Fresher produce and lots of it. Most of the produce available at your local farmers’ market will have just been picked, retaining much of its nutrients and flavour. You will also get a lot more variety than what is available at your local grocery store.

It’s less expensive. Fresh and organic produce when purchased in a grocery store comes at a premium, and your local farmers’ market typically offers a better price point.

Support your local economy. When you buy from local businesses and farmers, you are helping stimulate your local economy.

Reduce your carbon footprint. Grocery store produce typically travels thousands of kilometres before reaching its destination, while farmers’ market goods typically travel 100 kilometres or less. There is also no excess packaging for goods found at your local market.

It’s fun! Make your visit to the local market one of your summer pastimes by getting the whole family involved.

Before you visit your local farmers’ market be sure to bring cash, small change and reusable shopping bags. You may even want to invest in a personal shopping buggy to carry your goods. You should also plan to get there right when it opens (to get the best produce) or just before it closes (when you can get good deals).

No matter where you are in this great country, there is a farmers’ market pretty much everywhere. If you ever find yourself on a cross-country tour, here are a few places you should be sure to check out:

Halifax Farmers’ Market, NS. It has been operating since 1750, so you will enjoy the history. If you are the adventurous kind, try the blue cheese called Dragon’s Breath.

Saint John City Market, NB. Fresh lobster! Need we say more?

Marche du Vieux-Port de Quebec City, QC. There are plenty of great finds here, but for a true slice of the old city you should try the tourtieres (traditional Quebec meat pies).

St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, ON. National Geographic recently listed this beautiful market as the best food market in the world. You’ll find all sorts of fresh produce, meat and fish. Peameal bacon sandwiches are a staple for the regulars.

St. Norbert’s Farmers’ Market, MB. Where else are you going to find fresh Asian specialties like bok choy?

Regina’s Farmers’ Market, SK. Although Saskatoon also has a great farmers’ market, in Regina you can grab bannock and pierogi to fill your tummy and give you the energy to explore this beautiful capital city.

Calgary Farmers’ Market, AB. You’ll find exactly what you expect from a farmers’ market in Alberta: bison, pork and ever-famous Alberta beef.

Granville Island Public Market, Vancouver, BC. The locals take their food seriously, and like it fresh and healthy. You will find pretty much everything here, and unlike the markets in some other regions, it is open year-round. As this is the end of our Canadian tour, you should finish off with some chocolate for dessert.

To find a market in your area, visit Farmers’ Markets Canada at www.farmersmarketscanada.ca

If your home has an air conditioner that is more than a few years old, it most likely uses a refrigerant called R-22, which is more commonly called Freon. This once-common refrigerant is rapidly becoming quite rare. 

Freon is a chemical known as an HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon). HCFCs work well for cooling the inside of your home, but when released into the atmosphere they can contribute to global warming. Freon’s impact on global warming is 1,800 times as large as that of the same quantity of carbon dioxide, and it is also known to damage the ozone layer. So, as part of the Montreal Protocol, Freon and other HCFCs are being discontinued as air conditioning refrigerants.

The first step in that process was to stop making air conditioners that use Freon. New A/C units today use more environmentally friendly refrigerants. However, most existing air conditioners still use Freon, which means they are impacted by the current phase-out process of reducing and eventually stopping the production of Freon. In the past few months alone, these heavy cuts in production have led to Freon shortages, and there hasn’t always been enough R-22 to service all the air conditioners that still use it. These Freon shortages have also caused the price of Freon to go through the roof, and it now costs two to three times what it did in 2011.

Homeowners with R-22 air conditioners are left with three options:

• pay much, much more for Freon as it becomes a rarer and rarer commodity.
• convert their A/C units to run on a different refrigerant such as R-410A.
• replace their A/C with a new system that does not use Freon.

Because R-410A is much cheaper than R-22 and because new air conditioners are usually more energy efficient, the long-term costs of a new system can often be cheaper than repairing an outdated A/C.

For more information about your air conditioner options, please feel free to contact us.

And so ends another event brought to you by your friends at Reliance Home Comfort. The Raindrop Challenge has been a huge success and we wish to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone one of you for your participation in this month’s contest. We sincerely appreciate your support.

April’s weather certainly has been strange hasn’t it? We’ve seen warm days, cold days, rain, snow, sleet, hail and just about everything else that Mother Nature could throw at us. The good news is, we’re almost in the clear and hopefully May brings us the weather we deserve as we emerge from the cold weather season. Let’s keep our fingers crossed ; )

And now….the final daily draw winner in the Reliance Raindrop Challenge is Wendy Wood. Congratulations! You’ve won a $30.00 3V Visa Prepaid Voucher! Please contact me at rmassingham@reliancecomfort.com to claim your prize.

As you know, we’ll be back in no time with more tips, discussions and great giveaways but in the meantime be sure to keep checking in on the Reliance Facebook page for great conversation and helpful hints to assist you with all of your home comfort needs. Congratulations to all of our winners and once again, thanks for joining us this month! Have a wonderful weekend.

Welcome back! The Reliance Raindrop Challenge is drawing to a close and hopefully you have enjoyed this month’s event and have learned a few things along the way while sharing your thoughts with our community. Thanks to everyone for telling your stories about the worst rainstorms you’ve experienced; some very scary tales but so glad to hear that everyone got through them in one piece.

Haven’t been to our facebook page? Make sure to do so and while you’re there, don’t forget to enter for your chance at our iPad Grand Prize – just click on the Raindrop Challenge tab. The big draw is tomorrow, April 27th and we still have one more 3V Visa Voucher to give away. Click here for complete Contest Rules & Regulations.

And now….today’s winner in the Reliance Raindrop Challenge is Justin Bradley. Congratulations! You’ve won a $30.00 3V Visa Prepaid Voucher! Please contact me at rmassingham@reliancecomfort.com to claim your prize.

To qualify for our final daily draw, we want to know – Do you make a habit of ‘saving for a rainy day’? If so, what do you take into consideration when doing so? Share your stories now and as always, please share, like or tweet this post. Thanks and good luck to all!

Welcome back! We are into the home stretch in the Reliance Raindrop Challenge and hopefully you are joining us daily in an effort to share ways to stay positive, energized and occupied during the rainy days of April. Thanks to everyone for sharing your list of outdoor activities that you won’t allow to be hampered by rain, seems as though a nice walk is a go for most either rain or shine!

Haven’t been to our facebook page? Make sure to do so and while you’re there, don’t forget to enter for your chance at our iPad Grand Prize – just click on the Raindrop Challenge tab. The big draw is this Friday, April 27th but between now and then we still have a few more 3V Visa Vouchers to give away. Click here for complete Contest Rules & Regulations.

And now….today’s winner in the Reliance Raindrop Challenge is Diane King. Congratulations! You’ve won a $30.00 3V Visa Prepaid Voucher! Please contact me at rmassingham@reliancecomfort.com to claim your prize.

To qualify for tomorrow’s draw – Tell us about the worst rainstorm that you have ever experienced? Share your stories now and as always, please share, like or tweet this post. Thanks and good luck to all!

Welcome back everyone! We are into the final few days of the Reliance Raindrop Challenge and hopefully you are joining us daily in an effort to share ways to stay positive, energized and occupied during the rainy (or snowy) days of April. Thanks to everyone for sharing your list of books, movies and games that you turn to when you need help keeping busy during those ugly days – a great list of old and new favourites.

Haven’t been to our facebook page? Make sure to do so and while you’re there, don’t forget to enter for your chance at our iPad Grand Prize – just click on the Raindrop Challenge tab. The big draw is this Friday, April 27th but between now and then we still have a few more 3V Visa Vouchers to give away. Click here for complete Contest Rules & Regulations.

And now….today’s winner in the Reliance Raindrop Challenge is Ryan Rumball. Congratulations! You’ve won a $30.00 3V Visa Prepaid Voucher! Please contact me at rmassingham@reliancecomfort.com to claim your prize.

To qualify for tomorrow’s draw, we want to know – What outdoor activity will you participate in regardless of the weather? Share now and as always, please share, like or tweet this post. Thanks and good luck to all!

Welcome back everyone! We are into the final week of the Reliance Raindrop Challenge and hopefully you are joining us daily in an effort to share ways to stay positive, energized and occupied during the rainy days of April. This month we are seeing our highest participation levels to date and we would like to thank everyone for taking the time to join us. We greatly appreciate it!

Haven’t been to our facebook page? Make sure to do so and while you’re there, don’t forget to enter for your chance at our iPad Grand Prize – just click on the Raindrop Challenge tab. The big draw is this Friday, April 27th but between now and then we still have more 3V Visa Vouchers to give away. Click here for complete Contest Rules & Regulations.

And now….today’s winner in the Reliance Raindrop Challenge is Angel Lidsay. Congratulations! You’ve won a $30.00 3V Visa Prepaid Voucher! Please contact me at rmassingham@reliancecomfort.com to claim your prize.

To qualify for tomorrow’s draw, we want to know – With a storm system moving in, what games, movies or books do you break out to help pass the time? Share now and as always, please share, like or tweet this post. Thanks and good luck to all!