ludicrousity

Well, I finally got the final energy audit on my house done. A year ago, we had an energyStar rating of 66. Since then, we've fully sealed all our windows and random other exterior holes with caulking, insulated the attic, installed a 4.8L flush toilet, and replaced the furnace and water heater with super high-efficiency models.

HOW WE DID IT

Energy Audit
We went with Enwise for the audit and the equipment. Thay are a 2 year old company that are in direct competition with Reliance and Union Energy. If you ever use them, say I recommended you and I think we both get discounts.
http://www.enwisepower.com/

High Efficiency Furnace
We ended up with the Amana high efficiency 96%, DC motor. It's high end, and manufactured by Goodman. The online ratings are great and it's recommended by other suppliers. Supposedly the spark plugs fail after about 7 years, or sooner if the installer touches them with dirty hands. However, the furance comes with a 10 yr standard warranty for parts and labour. Enwise, however, gives a 15 yr warranty through Amana.

Furance specs can be found here:
http://www.amana-hac.com/Home/Products/HighEfficiencyGasFurnacesupto96AFUE/AMV996AFUE/tabid/325/Default.aspx

High Efficiency Water Heater
We got a State Premier condensing water furnace through Enwise, which was the only place that offered it. It actually condenses the water vapour from the combustion exhaust and vents at 30C, so it's collects most of the energy. The spec sheet says it 90% efficient, which is fabulous compared with the 60% efficient normal ones. It also claims that it has the performance of a 75L tank, so you'll never run out of hot water. It has a standard 6 yr warantee, but that can be upped to 15 yrs for relatively cheap.
Water heater specs can be found here:
http://www.statewaterheaters.com/lit/spec/res-gas/SRGSS01306.pdf

We opted not to get a tankless water heater because 1) they aren't always reliable 2) the water needs time to heat, so it takes about 10 seconds longer to get the hot water. If you're washing hands, that can be a long time to wait. 3) if you're washing dishes, you turn the water on-off-on-off... that can't be good for the ignition.

High Efficiency Toilet
Rona offers a 4.8L flush high-effiency toilet by Foremost. According to the box it has a 900g MaP score (check it out!), which is one of the best, and uses 20% less water than most new 'efficient' 6L toilets. It has only standard parts, except the flapper is 3" instead of 2" to get the high power, but do flappers ever break? On installation, we found the hardware (screws and seat) broke on us, but Rona replaced them with better stuff for free. Best of all... it was cheap!! And the rebates made it nearly free...
Calculate yearly savings here.
Find rebate for your region here. Halton. Peel. Toronto. Waterloo. Other regions.

ENERGY REBATES
http://www.homeenergyontario.ca/ (ontario and ferderal rebates)
http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca/grantsrebates-subventionsremises/consumers-consommateurs-eng.cfm (other federal rebates)
http://www.ec.gc.ca/incitatifs-incentives/index_eng.asp (other rebates)