Consumers can take steps to lower their electricity, natural gas, and water bills by reducing their utility usage.
|
-Turn off computers and monitor when not being used. -Watch for phantom energy users – such as electronics not in use and device chargers. Unplug these when not in use to cut back on energy use. -Turn off the heat dry setting on the dishwasher. -When preparing meals, use smaller appliances like an air fryer, toaster, microwave, or BBQ instead of the oven. -Use smart power bars. Unlike regular power bars, smart power bars reduce or eliminate standby power and cuts power to all associated devices that are plugged into the other sockets. -Use chest (top-loading) freezers, as they are 30% more efficient than upright (front-loading) freezers. -Avoid using space heaters, although they may lower natural gas costs but these will increase electricity bills. -Consumers using portable air conditioners should place the unit in the room used most often. The air conditioner can be turned on while the room is in use and turned off when moving to another room. The unit can also be moved to where cooling is needed. Portable air conditioners should be serviced regularly, just like a furnace. -Ceiling fan blades should spin counterclockwise to push air straight down during warm months and clockwise during cooler months. |
|
-While energy efficient bulbs cans cost more upfront, they often have a longer lifespan, and utilize less energy. -Use timers, dimmers, motion sensors, or task lighting to reduce the amount of power used for lighting. -Paint walls lighter colours to reflect light within rooms. |
|
-Use the cold water setting on the washing machine whenever possible. -When on vacation, set the water heater to vacation mode. -Fix leaky taps and toilets to reduce water consumption. Renters should tell their landlords about the issue as soon as possible. -Collect rainwater for watering plants. -Don’t let the water run while brushing teeth. -Long hot showers can increase water and natural gas usage. Shortening showers and not taking baths can decrease water bills. -Watch for leaky or left on sprinklers. Install timers for garden watering. -Download tip sheets to reduce water usage indoors and outdoors. |
|
-Weather stripping keeps out cold in the winter and heat in the summer. It’s important to check garage and attic entrances, electrical outlets, and vents for drafts. -Insulation is important, both in walls and attics to maintain temperatures. A sign that heat is escaping from an attic is icicles hanging from the roofline during cold weather. -Conduct a home energy audit. An audit can help determine how much energy a property uses, where it is losing energy, and how to prevent it. -Replace aging equipment with energy-efficient products. A faulty thermostat, a dirty furnace filter, a motor that needs a tune-up, or a refrigerator with a poor door seal are a few simple things that can significantly increase utility usage. -If windows are not energy efficient, consumers can consider using temporary heat shrink window covers through the colder months until windows can be replaced. This can help maintain desired temperatures. -Check furnace filters. Replace the filter going into the winter months to prevent restricting airflow. The replacement schedule for the filter will depend on the filter size. If consumers burn a lot of candles or have pets, the filter should be checked regularly. -Many natural gas distribution companies offer a free yearly furnace inspection. Set one of these up for late summer or early fall to ensure furnaces are in good working order before winter weather hits. -Utilize a programmable thermostat. Consumers can set the temperature to increase a little before they wake up in the morning, then decrease once they leave for the day. Consumers can apply these changes to happen before arriving home and going to bed. Keep the temperature fluctuations under five degrees for the best energy efficiency. -Install window blinds, which are better insulators than regular fabric curtains. |
|
-Close doors to unused rooms to maintain desired temperatures. -In warmer months, close curtains during the day to keep out the summer rays and heat. -Use an automatic car timer to save energy and money. Even on the coldest nights a block heater only needs to be turned on three hours before starting a car. -Hang clothes to dry instead of using a dryer. If doing multiple loads, hang items like shirts and pants, and combine the smaller items from multiple loads into one dryer load. Dryers work best at three quarters full. -Don’t overload fridges and freezers and keep the condenser coils clean to prevent the fridge and freezer from overworking and drawing more energy. |
