Helpful Hints for the Homeowner
Here Are Some Energy Saving Tips
LIGHTING
- Switch off lights when leaving a room.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient compact florescent bulbs.
- Keep bulbs and fixtures free of accumulated dirt.
- Use task lighting (lights close to the point of use).
- Install motion sensors.
APPLIANCES
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions on use and servicing of appliances.
- When purchasing new appliances base your selection on energy efficiency.
REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER
- Ensure the freezer is the proper size required; an oversized unit will waste energy.
- Set thermostats to 4° C for refrigerators and -18° C for freezers.
- Allow no more than a 6 mm frost accumulation.
- Clean refrigerator coils of dust regularly to allow efficient heat dissipation.
- Ensure there is sufficient space around the unit to permit heat to escape.
- Locate the unit away from any heat source such as a radiator or stove BUT avoid cold environments such as an unheated porch or garage.
- Ensure that door seals are intact and airtight.
- Open the door only when necessary.
- Avoid overloading the unit which may prevent internal air circulation.
STOVE
- Ensure that pot sizes match the burners used.
- Place aluminum reflectors below stove elements to reflect heat.
- Keep oven and stove elements and reflectors clean.
- Ensure the oven door seals tightly.
- When baking, open the oven only when absolutely necessary; 20 percent of the heat is lost from the oven each time the door is opened.
- Use an electric kettle rather than a stove-top model.
- Use a microwave oven, pressure cooker, slow cooker or steamer.
CLOTHES DRYER
- Purchase a dryer that shuts off automatically when the clothes are dry.
- Be sure that your dryer is vented to the outdoors.
- When removing clothes from the washer, separate and shake before loading them in the dryer.
- Avoid over-drying clothes and set the air temperature as low as possible.
- Clean the lint filter after each load. Remove lint from the dryer motor, drum and pipes yearly.
- Don’t overload the dryer.
DISHWASHER
- Clean the dishwasher screen regularly.
- Use dishwashers only for full loads and eliminate the drying cycle.
GENERAL
- Use cold water when doing the wash and always do full loads.
- Use timers on devices like block heaters, supplementary electric heat and outdoor lighting. Block heaters only require a couple of hours to do their job.
- Lower the setting on your thermostat.
- If an appliance, TV, VCR or computer does not have to be on, turn it off.
Each fall have your heating system checked by a qualified technician. Check and insulate your attic, walls, ceilings and seal holes and cracks. It is especially important to caulk windows, seal outlets and weatherstrip around door frames.