Conservation tips

10 easy ways to conserve energy around
the home, courtesy of Bullfrog Power

1.  Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights

• Compact fluorescent bulbs last longer, use much less energy, and can cut your lighting bill in half. Because CFL bulbs contain a minute amount of mercury, however, they should not be thrown in the garbage. CFL bulbs must be disposed of appropriately as hazardous waste. Check with your local municipality for disposal options.

2.  Install low-flow showerheads

• Heating water is energy intensive. In a typical household, showers account for up to 40% of hot water usage. A low-flow showerhead can reduce water consumption by as much as 50%.

3.  Lower the temperature on your hot water heater

• Lower the temperature on your hot water heater to 54ºC. At this temperature, your water will be hot enough to prevent bacteria buildup, but not unnecessarily hot.

4.  Insulate your hot water heater

• Prevent costly heat loss by adding an insulating cover to your hot water heater. You can buy a hot water heater jacket at your hardware store - and it will be worth the trip, saving you up to 15% on your water heating costs. While you're at it, add insulating covers to any exposed pipes for even more savings.

5.  Seal cracks and gaps around windows and doors

• Invest in insulation kits and weather stripping for windows and doors, and get the caulking gun out to seal any cracks and gaps in your walls. Home heating is the single largest energy draw in your home, and those drafts around the house are among the worst culprits.

6.  Install a programmable thermostat

• Sleeping in a cooler house is much more comfortable – for you and your pocketbook. In winter, set your thermostat to 21ºC during the day, and 17ºC at night. In summer, rather than cranking the air conditioning on hot days, install a ceiling fan to cool you off, and leave your thermostat a little higher - around 26ºC.

7.  Install motion detectors

• Motion detectors are easy solutions for reducing unnecessary lighting.

8.  Choose Energy Star certified appliances

• Buy Energy Star certified appliances, which meet or exceed the government of Canada's standards for energy efficiency. These appliances use less energy over their lifetime, saving you money.

9.  Retire that second fridge

• Older refrigerators are much less energy efficient than newer ones. If you've moved the old fridge down to the basement, consider retiring it completely to save energy.

10.  Make energy saving a family affair

• A little dinner table education can go a long way to saving energy around the home. Get the kids involved by challenging them to name 3 things they've done today to save energy, from turning off the TV set sooner to shutting off lights when they leave the room.