Tips for saving energy
Small changes can lead to significant energy savings. Here are some tips to make your home more energy efficient.
Heating and cooling systems
Thermostat management:
- In summer, raise your thermostat by two or three degrees when you’re away.
- In winter, lower your thermostat by two or three degrees before bed.
- Avoid placing electronics near the thermostat, as they can cause inaccurate readings.
Pre-heating/cooling:
- On extremely hot or cold days, pre-heat or pre-cool your home before on-peak periods to reduce energy use during peak times.
System maintenance:
- Regularly clean or replace furnace and AC filters.
- Clean your outdoor AC unit before summer.
- Ensure air vents are unobstructed to improve efficiency by up to 40 per cent.
Ceiling fans:
- In summer, run fans counter-clockwise for a cooling breeze.
- In winter, run fans clockwise to circulate warm air.
Fireplace:
- Close the fireplace flue when not in use to prevent heat loss.
Insulation:
- Improve insulation and weatherstripping to reduce heating and cooling costs by 20 to 60 per cent.
Kitchen
Refrigerator and freezer:
- Ensure proper airflow around fridge coils.
- Vacuum the fridge coils regularly (every three months, or more if you have pets).
- Set ideal temperatures: 1°C to 4°C for the fridge, -15°C to -18°C for the freezer.
Dishwasher:
- Use the economy cycle to reduce water and energy use (because 85 per cent of dishwasher electricity goes to heating water).
Oven:
- Use the oven light to check food instead of opening the door.
ENERGY STAR appliances:
- Choose ENERGY STAR-certified appliances for up to 50 per cent greater energy efficiency.
Lighting
LEDs:
- Switch to LED bulbs, which are up to 90 per cent more efficient and last longer. Keep the bulbs clean for optimal brightness.
Dimmer switches:
- Use dimmer switches to save energy and extend bulb life.
Task lighting:
- Use targeted lighting instead of lighting entire rooms.
Light temperature:
- Select appropriate light temperatures: warm light for bedrooms/living rooms, bright white for work areas.
Turn off lights:
- Always turn off lights when not needed.
Laundry room
Off-peak hours:
- Do laundry during off-peak hours to save on electricity costs.
Water level:
- Select the appropriate water level for the load size.
Cold water:
- Wash clothes in cold water to reduce energy use by up to 90 per cent per load.
Dryer loads:
- Dry full loads whenever possible, but don’t overfill your dryer. Clean the dryer filter before each load.
ENERGY STAR appliances:
- Use ENERGY STAR-certified washers and dryers for significant energy and water savings.
Water heaters
Insulation:
- Insulate your electric hot water tank with a blanket if it’s in a cool area.
Tankless water heater:
- Consider replacing an old water heater with a tankless model.
Electronic devices
Charging centre:
- Use a power bar with a timer to charge devices overnight and set it to turn off during the day. Unplug chargers when not in use.
Unplug electronics:
- Unplug infrequently used electronics like personal video recorders (PVRs) and stereos, or use a power bar with a timer.
Outdoors
Solar lighting:
- Install solar-powered LED garden landscape lights rather than lights that need to be plugged in.
Plant trees:
- Plant leafy trees on the south side of your home for shade and evergreens on the north side for wind protection.
Clothesline:
- Use an outdoor clothesline, rather than your dryer, to save energy.
Pools
LED lights:
- Use LED underwater pool and spa lights instead of incandescent or halogen lights.
Variable-speed pump:
- Use a variable-speed pump to reduce energy costs by up to 90 per cent.
Filter maintenance:
- Clean your pool filters regularly.
Clear drains:
- Keep the intake grates clear of debris for better pump performance.
Pool cover:
- Use a pool cover to reduce the heat loss caused by evaporation.
Chemical balance:
- Keep your pool chemicals properly balanced for better pump performance.