The reasons for making your home energy-efficient are many, perhaps even obvious; saving money, helping the environment, improving indoor air quality which in turn creates a healthier living space and a healthier you, the list goes on and on! The real question is how to make your home more energy-efficient. Below you will find a few tips that you can add to your home maintenance schedule (just to make sure you don’t forget!) this spring/summer.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Properly set, it can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10%. Consider setting your central air conditioner for 25°C when you’re at home and 28°C when you’re away. Using ceiling fans are also an option as they can help to circulate the air as the blades help to move the air down.
- Clean and/or replacing your air conditioning filter monthly. Dirty filters can restrict air flow and reduce your system’s efficiency.
- Vacuum or brush refrigerator coils. This will help to make them more energy-efficient.
- Keep the heat out. Close your blinds and curtains during the day.
- Choose energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). When you need to replace light bulbs, they are much more energy-efficient.
- Turn it off! Remember to turn off the TV, computer, stereo, DVD player and lights when you’re not using them. Install a power bar with an integrated timer to shut off all your devices at the end of day.
- Using it during off-peak hours. Run your dishwasher, washer and dryer early in the morning or in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are the lowest. When you can, use a clothesline and let the sun and breeze naturally dry your clothes. With Time-of-Use pricing (TOU) in place in many parts of Ontario, and definitely in place in Toronto (click here to see the rates) the electricity prices will vary, based on when it is used. This includes by time of day, by day of week (weekdays versus weekend), and by season (winter or summer)