Energy saving

In a country where winters are severe and summers can be unbearable, you may question how energy can be saved in your home. But simple changes can result in large savings and a reduction in your bills. We’ve compiled some of the best tips to help increase your home’s efficiency and save money on utility bills, without compromising your comfort.

Heating and cooling

Use your thermostat correctly

• By reducing your thermostat by one degree, you might be able to reduce your heating bill by 10%. Furthermore, how you use your thermostat can save you $100s on your annual energy bill.
• As example, during hot days, avoid lowering your thermostat thinking it will cool your house faster. Air conditioners work by removing humidity which takes time. Lowering your thermostat makes the AC run longer to reach the set point and until the humidity has been removed.
• Interestingly, you want a small difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures to save on your energy bills. Being as comfortable as possible, aim for a high temperature in the summer and a low temperature in the winter whilst maintaining humidity.
• A smart thermostat is also worth considering. These learn and adjust your temperature automatically based on your living patterns and sensors in rooms. It could reduce your energy consumption by 10-20% per month.

Utilize your ceiling fan

• If you have a ceiling fan, try running it counterclockwise to help cool your house. During hot days, your fan will push cool air from the HVAC system throughout your home without needing the air conditioner on full blast.
• A ceiling fan also helps with heating too. On cooler days, running it clockwise can push warm air (that rises to the ceiling) down into the home without needing the heating on full blast.

Small maintenance tasks make a world of difference

There are a couple things you can do to ensure your HVAC system works as efficiently as possible. These include:

• Clean the vents. You could do this yourself by removing the air duct covers and cleaning the grates, or using your vacuum to give the ducts a clean.
• If your filter is old, it is likely to impact the air quality in your home. It will also require your system to work harder and therefore consume more energy. Ideally clean or replace them every 3 months.
• If you hear any strange (clanging, popping) noises from your system, you may need to have it serviced or repaired. A certified HVAC technician can inspect your system and ensure it works efficiently.

Ensure your home has suitable insulation and ventilation

• Suitable insulation and ventilation can help save on both heating and cooling costs. During the winter, good ventilation keeps moist, warm air from turning into condensation. In the summer, good ventilation allows hot air out of your attic and your house cools.
• Insulation can also stop cold and hot air from escaping through your roof. It’s best to speak with a professional to understand how best to manage both the insulation and ventilation in your attic.

Cover and close windows during summer

• If you open your windows during the summer, you let in humidity. This in turn will make your air conditioner run longer to reach a cool temperature. As your AC works to remove moisture, it’s important to keep the windows closed during summer when it’s humid outside.
• Additionally, you can close window coverings when there’s direct sunlight on your windows. This can avoid heat building up in your house.

Appliances

Fill your washing machine and use a cooler setting

• A great way to save energy is to wash your clothes in a colder setting. For everyday cleaning, lower temperatures usually are fine though you may need high temperatures for tough stains.
• Try to fill up your washing machine each time too; you may even be able to reduce the number of washes a week.

Dryers are one of the most expensive appliances to run

• There’s no escaping the fact that a dryer uses a massive amount of energy. Do try to clean the filter between each load, as this can improve its efficiency and reduce the risk of fire.
• Additionally, look for opportunities to dry your clothes outside during the summer; or indoors when you have the heating on.

Fill up your dishwasher

• Whilst it’s tempting to run your dishwasher half full, it’s another appliance that uses an awful lot of energy and clean water. Waiting til it’s full, you could reduce your dishwasher run a week too.

Your fridge and freezer may be too cold

According to the government of Canada, you should keep fridges at 4C (40F) or lower and freezers at -18C (0F) or lower. You could go lower than these numbers, though it will likely increase your energy bill. Any higher than these numbers, and you risk bacteria growing very quickly; the temperature danger zone is between 4C (40F) and 60C (140F).

An air fryer may be cheaper to run than an oven

• Who doesn’t love an Air Fryer?! They are essentially a small oven, circulating hot air at high speed to help speed up the cooking time significantly. But they do use a lot of power.
• Most people will argue that because they are smaller and more powerful, and cooking times are quicker, you save energy versus using an oven.
• That can be as true, as is using a microwave or a slow cooker versus an oven. How much energy can be saved though, depends on your oven, the power your air fryer uses, and how much you cook.

Phantom power from devices left on standby

• Switching off your devices rather than leaving them on standby is a good idea. Though the amount saved is debatable.
• Hydro One says the average Canadian home has 25+ devices on standby and that wasted phantom power works out to $150 a year.
• You may be surprised to know that the devices that use the most power in standby are games consoles, cable boxes, stereo systems and desktop PCs.
• So if you’re unlikely to use a device more than once a week, it may be better to turn it off.

Using “eco” mode

• Most appliances have an “eco” mode which is advertised as being more environmentally friendly. These modes make them operate at lower speeds, temperatures and therefore use less power. So in theory you could save on your energy bills.
• It’s worth noting though, that these modes may struggle with very dirty clothes or dishes. The cycle takes longer too.

What else can I do to save on my utility bills?

There are so many hints and tips to saving energy and reducing your utility bills. Hydro one has some great information on their energy hub section of their website.