{"id":19784,"date":"2025-12-15T20:23:28","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T01:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/?p=19784"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:34:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T01:34:00","slug":"hydro-quebec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/blog\/costs-finances\/hydro-quebec\/","title":{"rendered":"Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec: How to Reduce Your Electricity Bill Without Sacrificing Comfort \u26a1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Your <strong>electricity bill<\/strong> has a funny habit of showing up at the worst possible time. And in Qu\u00e9bec, even though electricity is generally affordable and clean, our reality (long heating season, electric baseboards in many homes, larger living spaces) means a <strong>Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec bill<\/strong> can climb quickly.<\/p>\n<p>The good news? You can absolutely <strong>reduce your Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec electricity bill<\/strong> without living in the dark or wearing a winter coat indoors. The secret isn\u2019t one magic trick\u2014it\u2019s a smart combination of the right priorities, a few high-impact adjustments, and habits that stick.<\/p>\n<p>This article follows a practical, real-life approach: we start with what usually delivers the biggest savings first (the \u201cheavy hitters\u201d), then we narrow down into smaller optimizations. By the end, you\u2019ll have a clear plan to <strong>save electricity in Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong> and feel more in control of your monthly costs.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Quick Index \ud83d\udd0d<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#priorities\">Top priorities that lower your bill fast<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#q1\">How to reduce your Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec bill?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#understand\">How to understand your electricity bill (without the headache)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#q2\">How can I reduce the cost of my electricity bill?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#heating\">Heating: the real boss of your bill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#hotwater\">Hot water: the quiet budget killer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#insulation\">Insulation &amp; air sealing: where money escapes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#appliances\">Appliances &amp; hidden consumption<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#kitchen\">Kitchen, laundry, drying: easy wins<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#q3\">How to save on Hydro in Qu\u00e9bec?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#smart\">Smart thermostats &amp; simple tech that helps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#grants\">Grants &amp; financial incentives<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#q4\">How to save Hydro in Qu\u00e9bec without obsessing?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#routine\">A simple 7-day plan you can actually follow<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"priorities\">Top priorities that lower your bill fast \u26a1<\/h2>\n<p>If you want real results, you need to attack the right areas first. In most Qu\u00e9bec homes, electricity use is dominated by three major buckets:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Heating<\/strong> (often the #1 driver, especially in winter)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hot water<\/strong> (showers, laundry, dishwasher)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Heat loss<\/strong> (insulation gaps, air leaks, drafty areas)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e6f7e6; padding: 15px; border-left: 5px solid #2e7d32; margin: 20px 0;\"><strong>Green info box \ud83c\udf31<\/strong><br \/>\nYou can be \u201ccareful\u201d with lights and still pay a lot if your home leaks heat and your heating runs nonstop. Go for leverage first: heating + hot water + air leaks.<\/div>\n<p>That\u2019s why the most effective strategy is to start with: <strong>heating control<\/strong>, <strong>hot-water habits<\/strong>, and <strong>air sealing<\/strong>. Once those are in place, everything else becomes the cherry on top.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"q1\">How to reduce your Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec bill? \u2705<\/h2>\n<p>The honest answer: reduce what heats your home, reduce what heats your water, and stop paying for heat that leaks out. Then refine your daily habits and your equipment.<\/p>\n<p>Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec provides a solid breakdown of how to lower your bill and what to watch for in your account. Here\u2019s the official page (linked once, as requested) \ud83d\udc49<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hydroquebec.com\/residential\/customer-space\/account-and-billing\/understanding-bill\/reducing-your-bill.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec: How to reduce the amount of your bill<\/a><\/p>\n<p>From there, it\u2019s about one simple principle: <strong>don\u2019t pay to heat the outdoors<\/strong>. Because heating a leaky home is basically like filling a bathtub without the plug \ud83d\udec1.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"understand\">How to understand your electricity bill (without the headache) \ud83d\udcca<\/h2>\n<p>Before you buy anything or start changing everything, do a quick \u201cdiagnostic.\u201d You don\u2019t need to be an expert\u2014you just need clarity:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Does my usage spike in certain periods?<\/strong> (heating season, vacations, cold snaps)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Did the bill jump without an obvious reason?<\/strong> (a new appliance, more time at home, a water heater issue)<\/li>\n<li><strong>What type of heating do I have?<\/strong> (baseboards, heat pump, central system)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Many \u201cmystery increases\u201d come from normal life: more work-from-home, a basement kept warmer, a longer shower routine, a water heater working harder, or air leaks you don\u2019t feel\u2014but your bill definitely does.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e6f7e6; padding: 15px; border-left: 5px solid #2e7d32; margin: 20px 0;\"><strong>Green mini-test \ud83e\uddea<\/strong><br \/>\nLower your thermostat by 1\u00b0C for a week. If comfort barely changes, you\u2019ve found a sustainable saving that won\u2019t feel like \u201csacrifice.\u201d<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"q2\">How can I reduce the cost of my electricity bill? \ud83d\udcb8<\/h2>\n<p>There are two real ways to lower your <strong>electricity bill<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use less electricity<\/strong> (without losing comfort)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stop paying for waste<\/strong> (heat loss, air leaks, inefficient equipment)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In practice, that means making the right \u201cset-and-forget\u201d decisions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Program temperature changes (instead of reacting randomly)<\/li>\n<li>Reduce hot-water waste (showers + water temperature + laundry habits)<\/li>\n<li>Seal air leaks (doors, windows, attic access, rim joists)<\/li>\n<li>Cut phantom loads (devices that draw power even when \u201coff\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A classic trap is doing only \u201csmall eco gestures\u201d while ignoring heating and air leaks. Those small steps help\u2014but they rarely move the needle as much as the big three priorities in Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19778\" src=\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-4752984-min-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"home heating\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-4752984-min-scaled.jpg 1707w, https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-4752984-min-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-4752984-min-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-4752984-min-1365x2048.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"heating\">Heating: the real boss of your bill \u2744\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<p>For most Qu\u00e9bec households, heating is the largest driver of the <strong>Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec bill<\/strong>. The winning strategy is not to freeze\u2014it\u2019s to heat smarter:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Stability:<\/strong> avoid constant up\/down temperature swings<\/li>\n<li><strong>Zoning:<\/strong> heat the rooms you use, not the ones you rarely enter<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scheduling:<\/strong> lower temps while sleeping or away<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- TABLE PLUS \u00c9PAISSE + EN-T\u00caTE MARQU\u00c9E --><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; width: 100%; border: 2px solid #000;\">\n<thead style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;\">\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #000; padding: 10px; text-align: left; font-weight: bold;\">Simple move<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #000; padding: 10px; text-align: left; font-weight: bold;\">Why it works<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #000; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Lower temperature by 1\u00b0C<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #000; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Reduces heating demand across the entire day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #000; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Night \/ away scheduling<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #000; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Stops full heating when nobody benefits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Here\u2019s a practical truth: many people \u201coverheat by default.\u201d If you bump the thermostat the second you feel cold, check this instead: drafts near doors\/windows, cold floors, low humidity, or air leaks. Often it\u2019s not that the home \u201cneeds more heat\u201d\u2014it\u2019s that the heat is escaping.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e6f7e6; padding: 15px; border-left: 5px solid #2e7d32; margin: 20px 0;\"><strong>Green comfort tip \ud83e\udde6<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you lower the temperature slightly, compensate with comfort fixes: heavier curtains at night, better door sweeps, and reasonable humidity (not tropical\u2014just healthy).<\/div>\n<h3>Baseboards: small habits that matter<\/h3>\n<p>If you heat with baseboards, avoid blocking them with furniture or long curtains\u2014airflow matters. Also, don\u2019t crank one room to \u201ccatch up\u201d while another room stays cold. A more balanced approach typically gives better comfort and lower consumption.<\/p>\n<h3>Heat pumps: use them smart<\/h3>\n<p>If you have a heat pump, keep setpoints stable. Frequent large adjustments can reduce efficiency. Use the heat pump as your primary system when possible, and keep filters clean so the unit doesn\u2019t work harder than it needs to.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"hotwater\">Hot water: the quiet budget killer \ud83d\udebf<\/h2>\n<p>Heating gets the spotlight\u2014but hot water can quietly drain your budget. Long showers, water that\u2019s hotter than needed, warm laundry cycles, and repeated small dishwasher loads can add up fast on the <strong>electricity bill<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Easy, real-life actions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shorten showers slightly (even 2 minutes less per shower adds up massively over a year)<\/li>\n<li>Install an efficient showerhead<\/li>\n<li>Use cold water for most laundry loads<\/li>\n<li>Run the dishwasher only when full (and use eco mode when available)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your water heater is older, it may consume more just to maintain temperature. You don\u2019t need to panic, but if the bill keeps creeping up with no lifestyle change, it\u2019s a realistic suspect.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e6f7e6; padding: 15px; border-left: 5px solid #2e7d32; margin: 20px 0;\"><strong>Green reminder \ud83d\udd25<\/strong><br \/>\nHot water costs twice: you pay to heat the water, and you often pay again through humidity\/ventilation losses if bathrooms aren\u2019t ventilated properly.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"insulation\">Insulation &amp; air sealing: where money escapes \ud83c\udfe0<\/h2>\n<p>You can do everything \u201cright\u201d day-to-day, but if your home leaks air, you\u2019re still paying for waste. Insulation and air sealing are often the biggest long-term drivers of a lower <strong>Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec electricity bill<\/strong>, especially in older homes.<\/p>\n<p>Common heat-loss zones:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Attic \/ loft space<\/strong> (often the #1 area)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rim joists<\/strong> in the basement<\/li>\n<li><strong>Door and window frames<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Attic hatches<\/strong>, pipe penetrations, exterior outlets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re considering improvements, Qu\u00e9bec offers support for insulation through the provincial program (linked once, as requested) \ud83d\udc49<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.quebec.ca\/en\/housing-territory\/heating-energy-consumption\/financial-assistance-retrofits\/renoclimat\/financial-assistance\/insulation-grant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Provincial insulation grant (R\u00e9noclimat)<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e6f7e6; padding: 15px; border-left: 5px solid #2e7d32; margin: 20px 0;\"><strong>Green \u201cdouble win\u201d \ud83e\uddf1<\/strong><br \/>\nFixing an air leak reduces your bill AND improves comfort. Drafts make people crank heating. Seal the leak, and you often need less heat to feel warm.<\/div>\n<h3>Quick DIY air-leak checks<\/h3>\n<p>On a windy day, you can often feel drafts around doors, windows, and basement rim areas. Weatherstripping and door sweeps are inexpensive and can reduce \u201ccold spots\u201d dramatically. For bigger issues, a proper energy assessment helps you prioritize the highest-impact upgrades.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"appliances\">Appliances &amp; hidden consumption \u2699\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<p>Some electricity use is obvious (cooking, laundry). Some is sneaky: devices that draw power even when \u201coff.\u201d TVs, consoles, sound systems, printers, chargers, cable boxes\u2026 phantom loads can nibble at your bill nonstop.<\/p>\n<p>Three solid habits:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use power bars with switches to cut power to a group of devices<\/li>\n<li>Unplug unused chargers (yes, it really adds up)<\/li>\n<li>Watch out for old \u201csecondary\u201d appliances\u2014especially extra fridges\/freezers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That old basement fridge \u201cjust in case\u201d can cost more than people expect because it runs all year. If you want one big, satisfying saving, removing or replacing a very inefficient appliance can beat a hundred tiny gestures.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e6f7e6; padding: 15px; border-left: 5px solid #2e7d32; margin: 20px 0;\"><strong>Green reality check \u2705<\/strong><br \/>\nIf your home has one major energy waster, finding it is often more profitable than trying to be perfect everywhere.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"kitchen\">Kitchen, laundry, drying: easy wins \ud83c\udf73\ud83e\uddfa<\/h2>\n<p>Kitchen and laundry are perfect areas to save electricity without discomfort:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Oven:<\/strong> avoid long preheats \u201cout of habit\u201d (often unnecessary)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Microwave \/ air fryer:<\/strong> for small portions, they typically use less than a full-size oven<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dishwasher:<\/strong> eco mode + full loads = strong combo<\/li>\n<li><strong>Washer:<\/strong> cold water for most loads<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dryer:<\/strong> clean the lint filter every cycle to shorten drying time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your dryer takes forever, the issue might not be the dryer\u2014it might be the vent. A partially clogged vent increases drying time and electricity use (and it\u2019s also a safety concern).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"q3\">How to save on Hydro in Qu\u00e9bec? \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\u26a1<\/h2>\n<p>If we summarize it \u201cQu\u00e9bec-style,\u201d the most valuable levers to <strong>save on Hydro<\/strong> are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Heating:<\/strong> lower a bit + schedule + zone your rooms<\/li>\n<li><strong>Air sealing:<\/strong> weatherstripping, door sweeps, draft fixes<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hot water:<\/strong> shorter showers, reasonable water temperature, cold laundry<\/li>\n<li><strong>Appliances:<\/strong> cut phantom loads and deal with one major energy hog<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don\u2019t chase perfection. Chase <strong>consistency<\/strong>. If you save 5% here, 5% there, 5% elsewhere\u2014suddenly the yearly savings are real, and you don\u2019t feel like you\u2019re constantly \u201ctrying to be eco.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19782\" src=\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-introspectivedsgn-7616651-min-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"smart thermostat\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-introspectivedsgn-7616651-min-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-introspectivedsgn-7616651-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-introspectivedsgn-7616651-min-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-introspectivedsgn-7616651-min-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"smart\">Smart thermostats &amp; simple tech that helps \ud83e\udd16<\/h2>\n<p>Smart thermostats aren\u2019t mandatory, but they can be a game-changer if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>you often forget to lower temperatures<\/li>\n<li>your schedule changes a lot<\/li>\n<li>you want better room-by-room control<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The real benefit is that they remove the \u201chuman factor.\u201d Less forgetting, less unnecessary heating, more control with less effort. And honestly, that\u2019s where most people lose money\u2014not because they don\u2019t care, but because life is busy and nobody wants to micromanage thermostats every day.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e6f7e6; padding: 15px; border-left: 5px solid #2e7d32; margin: 20px 0;\"><strong>Green truth \ud83c\udfaf<\/strong><br \/>\nSmart thermostats don\u2019t save money by magic. They save money because they consistently do what you would do if you remembered every time.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"grants\">Grants &amp; financial incentives \ud83d\udcb0<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re planning upgrades (insulation, efficiency improvements, certain eligible renovations), it\u2019s worth checking available programs. At the federal level, you can review eligible renovations and grant amounts here (linked once, as requested) \ud83d\udc49<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/natural-resources.canada.ca\/energy-efficiency\/home-energy-efficiency\/canada-greener-homes-initiative\/eligible-retrofits-grant-amounts?_gl=1*s0b8hn*_ga*NTUyNzYwMjYuMTc2NTg0ODQzMw..*_ga_C2N57Y7DX5*czE3NjU4NDg0MzMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjU4NDg0MzMkajYwJGwwJGgw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Canada: Greener Homes (eligible renovations and grant amounts)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The goal isn\u2019t to renovate \u201cjust to renovate.\u201d Choose work that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>improves comfort (fewer drafts, more stable indoor temperature)<\/li>\n<li>reduces real electricity use<\/li>\n<li>adds to your home\u2019s perceived value<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A home that\u2019s comfortable and cheaper to heat is simply more attractive\u2014and it\u2019s a practical selling point, not just \u201cwe did renovations.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"q4\">How to save Hydro in Qu\u00e9bec without obsessing? \ud83d\ude04<\/h2>\n<p>If you want savings without making your life complicated, follow this simple rule:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1) Set your temperature<\/strong> (and schedule it)<\/li>\n<li><strong>2) Stop air leaks<\/strong> (doors, windows, rim joists)<\/li>\n<li><strong>3) Reduce hot water waste<\/strong> (showers + cold laundry)<\/li>\n<li><strong>4) Remove one major energy waster<\/strong> (old appliance, constant standby loads)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once those foundations are in place, you don\u2019t have to \u201cthink about saving electricity\u201d all day. Your home does the work for you. That\u2019s the best kind of saving: simple, automatic, and sustainable.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"routine\">A simple 7-day plan you can actually follow \u2705<\/h2>\n<p>If you like practical plans, here\u2019s a simple 7-day approach. You don\u2019t need to do everything\u2014just start and build momentum:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Day 1:<\/strong> Lower temperature by 1\u00b0C and notice comfort<\/li>\n<li><strong>Day 2:<\/strong> Add night\/away scheduling<\/li>\n<li><strong>Day 3:<\/strong> Cut phantom loads (power bars)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Day 4:<\/strong> Check drafts (door sweeps, weatherstripping)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Day 5:<\/strong> Adjust hot-water habits (shorter showers + cold laundry)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Day 6:<\/strong> Clean dryer filter + check venting if needed<\/li>\n<li><strong>Day 7:<\/strong> Identify your \u201cbig waste\u201d (often an old appliance)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e6f7e6; padding: 15px; border-left: 5px solid #2e7d32; margin: 20px 0;\"><strong>Green encouragement \ud83e\udde0<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you do only 3 out of 7 steps, you\u2019re still ahead. The goal is progress you can maintain, not a perfect week.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">FAQ \u2753<\/h2>\n<h3>How can I reduce my Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec bill quickly?<\/h3>\n<p>Start with heating (lower and schedule), reduce hot water waste, and seal drafts. Those three often deliver the biggest impact on the <strong>electricity bill<\/strong> in Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n<h3>How can I reduce the cost of my electricity bill without renovations?<\/h3>\n<p>Schedule your thermostats, cut standby loads, wash mostly in cold water, shorten showers slightly, and improve air sealing (door sweeps \/ weatherstripping). These are simple, high-value actions.<\/p>\n<h3>How do I save on Hydro in Qu\u00e9bec if I have an older home?<\/h3>\n<p>Prioritize air sealing and insulation (attic and rim joists). Older homes can become noticeably more comfortable and cheaper to heat once you stop heat loss and drafts.<\/p>\n<h3>Are efficiency renovations worth it?<\/h3>\n<p>They can be, especially if they target the biggest losses (insulation\/air sealing) or replace a very inefficient system. Grants can also improve the return on investment.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 For more articles (sometimes with a little humour when it fits \ud83d\ude04), visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">My blog<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 If you want to see how monthly savings can affect your overall budget, use my mortgage calculator: <a href=\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/tools\/mortgage-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mortgage calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 Want to reach me directly? Here\u2019s my contact page: <a href=\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact me<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your electricity bill has a funny habit of showing up at the worst possible time. And in Qu\u00e9bec, even though electricity is generally affordable and clean, our reality (long heating season, electric baseboards in many homes, larger living spaces) means a Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec bill can climb quickly. The good news? You can absolutely reduce your Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":19776,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19784","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-costs-finances"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19784","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19784"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19784\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19785,"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19784\/revisions\/19785"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19784"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19784"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19784"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}