Have you ever met someone that seemed like they might be a great match? At first glance, they checked all the right boxes, so you decide to give it a chance and go on a date.
But as the date wears on, that first impression unravels and reveals some major red flags — like how they angrily cut people off in the bike lane en route to your destination, or laughed and called it a hoax when you mentioned climate change.
Second date? Not a chance! After those red flags, you wish you’d swiped left. You want green flags. You want someone who cares about the environment and other people!
The dating game can be tricky. But when we avoid red flags and pursue green flags, we can do our best to steer in the right direction — just like how we need to make smarter choices regarding climate change. After all, no one wants to get stuck in a bad relationship, just as no one wants to get stuck living with the impacts of climate change.
It’s a trend that influencers have picked up on social media: listing #MyGreenFlags in their current relationship or future partner: not just for love, but for a healthy planet.
Breaking up with fossil fuels
80 per cent of Ontarians agree that going electric is in our best interests, making Canada’s 2050 net-zero emissions a shared goal.
From record-breaking heat waves and out-of-control wildfires to floods that take communities months to recover from, the earth is waving a giant red flag at all of us. It’s telling us to make better choices now — like breaking our toxic relationship with fossil fuels and committing to eco-friendly solutions. And it all starts at home with clean energy and energy-efficient retrofit choices.
If you aren’t sure what clean energy means in practical terms, don’t worry — getting acquainted is easier than you might think. Let’s start with some home basics.
Electric heat pumps: Even better than they sound
If you haven’t heard of an Electric heat pump, you’re not alone. According to a recent Abacus Poll, nearly 70 per cent of Ontarians don’t know what they are. Of those in the know, only 2 per cent of the province’s population have retrofitted their homes with one. In Europe, however, electric heat pumps are steadily trending upwards — which is no wonder considering the cost of gas nowadays!
So, what is it exactly? In short, it’s an energy-efficient option for your home heating and cooling system that replaces your typical gas or oil-based furnace or water heater. Extracting heat from outside your home in the winter and working in reverse during the summer, the electric heat pump, which operates on electricity, keeps your home at a comfortable temperature all year — regardless of Canada’s extreme temperatures.
Though installation costs are higher than simply replacing your furnace, the long-term savings make heat pumps an alluring alternative. When you switch your home to electric, not only do you save on monthly bills, but you could save more than $10,320 over the lifetime of the equipment.
What’s more, electric heat pumps help reduce up to 35 percent of carbon emissions produced by the average home. That’s equivalent to taking 1.4 gas-powered cars off the road every year (a 4.7-ton reduction of greenhouse gas).
Solar panels: Harness the power of the sun
Other green choices include solar panels. Available in various sizes, these nifty devices capture energy from the sun and transform it into electricity for your entire home, giving sunny-side-up eggs cooked on your electric stove a whole new meaning. Installing solar battery systems alongside panels can also help capture excess energy for later use.
Goodbye gas appliances
If you’re considering switching from gas to electric throughout your home, it helps to do it gradually. Starting with the small stuff — like swapping gas stoves, barbecues and fireplaces to high-performing electric options is an easy first step. Further, replacing dryers and other appliances with modern energy- saving versions can help you save on monthly bills and limit your carbon footprint over time. When you strategically taper off gas consumption, moving towards a fully electric home becomes more manageable.
Embarking on a new electric romance
It’s fair to say most of us want to have a healthy relationship with our environment and encourage others to do the same. No one wants to be a red flag. But sticker shock is a thing — especially when so many of us are trying to keep up with inflation. As the adage goes, money doesn’t grow on trees.
That’s why various levels of the Canadian government are working together to offer grants and loans that help you get the funds you need to go green.
From municipal low-interest loans for energy-efficient home upgrades or green roof initiatives to federal grants that help homes and businesses transition to heat pumps, solar panels and more, breaking up with fossil fuel is more doable than you think.
Let’s all do our part where we can. Visit GreenFlags.ca for information on eco-friendly solutions for your home.