Tips

FALL

Check the caulking around your windows and doors, drafts rob you of warmth in your home. Caulking and weather stripping alone can decrease your heating bills by 5-15% and you will noitce an immediate difference in comfort from reduced drafts.  During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

AROUND THE HOUSE TID-BIT

Each year we throw out ten times our average body weight in garbage!

WINTER

Thermostats are best set at 70F (21C) in the winter for your heating evironment.  Turn down the thermostat when you are away. 

Exterior doors that have lack of or faulty weather striping wsate energy both in winter and summer. Check the seal around the door and sure it does not allow air infiltration.

Clean or replace furnace filters once as month or as needed.  This provides for better airflow, allowing your furnace to work more efficiently.

Close the damper of a wood burning fireplace when it is not being used. Try not to use the fireplace and the central heating system at the same time.

AROUND THE HOUSE TID-BIT

In one month a hot water tap dripping at the rate of one drop a second will cost you approximately $60.00. Check your plumbing fixtures daily for leaks.

REMEMBER:

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are highly recommended in homes with fuel burning appliances, such as natural gas furnaces, stoves, ovens and water heaters and fuel burning space heaters.  An alarm signals homeowners if CO levels reach potentially dangerous levels.

SPRING

If you are looking to replace your air conditioner in the spring, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER).  The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 14 SEER or more.

AROUND THE HOUSE TIB-BIT

Your washroom exhaust fan exhausts air that you have paid to cool or heat. Leaving the fan on continously will cost you over $65.00 a year to operate. Turn it off when not in use.

SUMMER

Setting your thermostat colder than required in summer and warmer than required in winter wastes a considerable amount of energy (up to 5% for every degree off set point).

Pull down shades to keep the hot sunshine out in the summer, especially when you are not home.

Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder than normal setting when you turn on your air conditioner.  It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and therefore unnecessary expense.

AROUND THE HOUSE TIB-BIT

Most vehicles burn about 20% more fuel if driven at 110km/h instead of 90 km/h.  Reduce speed and you'll save fuel, reduce wear on your vehicle and save money.

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