FEATURE: 5 simple ways to save $180 a year

 

 


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  • Tired of high energy bills?
  • Fed up of cold drafts during the winter?
  • And overheated rooms in the summer?
These are great reasons to save energy. But there are even more.

We burn fossil fuels (like gasoline, coal and oil) to power our cars, toasters and lights and to heat and cool our homes. This releases pollutants that cause smog and climate change.

These are serious problems - but every little action you take to save energy can help. To learn about even more great ways to save energy, go to www.smartliving.ca.

Here are five simple things you can do that will help combat smog and climate change and save you $180 per year:

1. Reduce temperature on water heater to 54C ($60). Turn the temperature on your water heater down to 54C. If your heater doesn't have a temperature gauge, run a meat thermometer under the hot water for a reading.*

2. Setback your thermostat by 2C ($58). In winter, set the thermostat to 21C when you are awake and 17C when you are asleep. In summer, set the thermostat to 26C and use a ceiling fan to cool your place.**

When the temperature outside falls to at least two degrees lower than the temperature inside, you should "vent" your space - that is, open your windows to let cool air in.

3. Install a low-flow shower head ($45). Many municipalities sell water conservation kits (call your City government for details). Low flow showerheads can reduce the amount of water used by 50% and save you almost $45 per person, per year, on heating and water bills.

4. Install 2 compact fluorescent light bulbs ($10). Replace incandescent bulbs in high-use areas with fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescents have a longer lifetime than incandescents and use much less energy. Replacing 1 out of every 4 lights in high-use areas will reduce your lighting bill by 50 percent.

5. Install one window insulation kit ($7). Install these kits over windows that you will not open in the winter. They eliminate cold drafts and help stop the loss of heat.

* For gas water heaters only. If you rent an electric water heater, please contact your utility for help. If you own your electric water heater, you should get a contractor's to help you.
**Suggested settings only.

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