With Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park being hit by a downburst, climate experts are urging people to climate-proof their homes. With thousands of trees down, experts report that if the storm, which occurred on June 21st, had hit an urban area, the high winds could have caused significant damage to buildings and homes. From high-wind storms to wildfires blazing across Canada, many people are curious about how they can prevent considerable weather damage to their homes. What does climate proofing entail? How much does it cost? Let’s examine climate-proofing your home and explore why experts recommend it.
Climate Proofing Can Be Inexpensive
As mentioned above, it is impossible to predict the extent of damage that would be done to homes if the June 21st storm in Mattawa, Ontario, were to hit an urban area.
Connell Miller, the acting director of Western University’s Northern Tornadoes Project, states that destructive storms are becoming more common due to climate change. However, small changes in Ontario’s Building Code could help protect homes from dangers such as powerful winds. “We think for about $200 to $300 in parts and labour on a new house construction, we can prevent these roofs from being ripped off,” Miller told CBC News. “Once a roof gets ripped off a house, the house is essentially a write-off at that point.”
According to Miller, all that needs to change is for 12-inch screws to be used in wall-to-roof connections. Today, most houses use nails. When reinforcing these connections, you allow homes to withstand 95 per cent of the tornadoes that touch down in Canada.
Flooding and Wildfires Pose the Greatest Risk
Although strong winds are a significant concern for threatened homes, heavy rainfall and wildfires remain the primary causes of climate change-related damage in Canada.
Blair Feltmate, leader of the University of Waterloo’s Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, examines ways to mitigate these risks. He stated that from 1983 to 2009, home insurance claims in Canada typically totalled $250 million to $450 million annually. However, with fewer people climate-proofing their homes, this has increased to $2.8 billion in insurance claims over the last 15 years.
“Things are getting worse faster,” Feltmate told CBC. There are now 1.5 billion homes in Canada that don’t qualify for basement flooding insurance. This is because they are located in floodplains. By climate-proofing your home, you may be eligible for this insurance if you are located in a floodplain.
Many of these climate-proofing techniques prove to be low-cost and in some cases, free. For example, adding a sump pump to your basement or planting a rain garden in your yard. It’s important to note that sump pumps should be connected to battery power or a generator in the event of a power outage.
Wildfire Risk
Wildfires are another risk that can be minimized by climate-proofing your home. Protecting your home from wildfires includes keeping shrubs at least 1.5 metres from the outside of your home. Additionally, consider replacing wooden fences with more fire-resistant materials.
“Over the last, I would say five to eight years, we’ve developed excellent guidance that’s practical, meaningful, and cost-effective that gives direction on how to prepare homes and communities for flooding and wildfire,” Feltmate told CBC.
Building More Efficient, Climate-Proof Homes
Extreme heat is another risk that many people should be climate-proofing their homes for. According to Statistics Canada, extreme heat events during the period of 2000 to 2020 were found to be associated with approximately 670 excess non-accidental deaths. On top of this, 230 deaths were due to cardiovascular and respiratory causes.
Rob Fleury, the owner of HP Home Design in Sudbury, Ontario, is certified in passive home design. This is standard for more energy-efficient and climate-proof homes. Fleury says it’s possible to reduce reliance on air conditioning and cut energy costs by a significant margin. This is achieved through improved insulation, strategic window placement, and the use of overhangs over exterior walls. In Northern Ontario, passive homes are 20-25 per cent more expensive to build than homes that don’t exceed the requirements of Ontario’s Building Code.
“You’re putting upfront costs in the beginning and recouping those costs over time,” Fleury told CBC. These higher upfront costs have meant lower demand for passive houses.
Climate Proofing Your Home: Conclusion
Ultimately, climate-proofing your home is essential for protecting your property. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and unpredictable. So, climate-proofing your home can significantly reduce your stress and costs, while giving you peace of mind.
Remember, a crucial step in protecting your home is making sure you have the proper insurance. If you’re in the market, don’t hesitate to reach out to isure today! Contact us or request a quote today!
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