Beat the heat: Five summer energy-saving tips
Our electricity bills are some of the most misunderstood and complicated documents that we encounter on a regular basis. Nearly everything we do on a day-to-day basis is reliant on electrical energy, yet we tend to give energy consumption little regard when when we plan our daily routines.
If we really want to save a good buck on our energy bills we need to make major behavioural changes that might seem somewhat inconvenient. In Ontario, we must contend with dramatic seasonal changes that impact our consumption habits. This summer, we wanted to give you a few tips and tricks that will save you some dollars without throwing a wrench into your busy schedule.
1. Plant a Tree: This is not a green thumb joke! If you run a central air conditioner to cool your home, planting a tree or shrub near the unit to cast some shade can improve efficiency by up to 10 per cent. Larger trees on the south side of your home will work to keep the hot summer sun out, reducing the solar gain caused by your windows.
2. Draw the Shades: Close your blinds and curtains during the day. This can help naturally cool your home by blocking up to 65 per cent of the heat that would have otherwise come in through your windows.
3. Get with the Program: Install a programmable thermostat that you can set to reduce the cooling load when you are not home. By raising the thermostat by 1C you can lower your electricity bill by up to five per cent. When set properly, a programmable thermostat can reduce yearly heating and cooling costs by up to 10 per cent. In the summer, set your AC to 25C when you are home and 28C when away. In the winter, set your thermostat to 20C when you are home and 18C overnight or when away.
4. Hang ‘Em Up: Hanging your clothes to dry on the line can save you 5 per cent on electricity costs. When your dishwasher is done cleaning, skip the dry cycle by opening up the door to let everything drip dry. This can save you another 1 per cent.
5. Home Weatherization: Your home may be full of holes! Small gaps around windows, doors and outlets can create major air leaks. Use weatherstripping and gaskets to reduce your home’s heating and cooling needs by up to 20 per cent!
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