To achieve energy savings, you don't have to do without. There is an energy-efficient alternative for almost every kind of appliance or light fixture out there, so you have the power and option of changing the way you use energy. Just like at home, the dollars count at work too.

• Eliminate hidden loads. Be sure to always turn the equipment and lights off after hours.
• Unplug coffeemakers, toasters and microwaves before shutting the office down for the holidays.
• Open shades and blinds during daylight hours. Take advantage of the sun. Let the sun heat and light your space naturally; shade it when it's hot, of course. In the winter, close your blinds and drapes in the evening.
• Whenever possible, choose ENERGY STAR qualified products.
• Take the time to set the energy-saving features on all of your office equipment to put them into sleep mode when not in use.
• Shut off all "the nice to have's" such as outside advertising billboards and signage, decorative fountains, pools and waterfalls.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Dress comfortably for the weather. Adjust your layers before adjusting the thermostat.
• Use revolving doors to access entrances. It keeps cool air inside.
• Keep entrance doors closed.

• Take showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower uses only about one-half as much water as a bath.
• Install low-flow shower heads. They cut the flow of water by 40 to 60%.
• Turn your faucets all the way off. Replace worn out washers.
• Do as much household cleaning as possible with cold water rather than hot.
• Only run full loads in the dishwasher. Use the air dry (or energy saver) option if available. Heat drying is a high energy user.
• Rinse dishes in a tub of clean water instead of under hot running water.
• Ask your landlord to fix any leaky faucets. One constant drip can waste up to 181.7 litres of water a week or 364 half-litre-sized bottles of water. If it's a hot water faucet that's leaking, you're literally sending your energy dollars down the drain.

There's More Than Meets the Eye

Today appliances have two costs - the purchase price and the electricity cost of running the appliance over the course of its lifetime. Now required by law, you'll find the information rich EnerGuide label on every major appliance.

Consider the Important Information EnerGuide Provides
Prominently featured on every appliance, the EnerGuide label allows you to quickly compare the appliance you're considering with other makes and models. An EnerGuide label does not mean the appliance is energy efficient. It only indicates where the appliance falls on an energy efficient scale. Some appliances will do better than others. All will have EnerGuide labels.

1. Shows the annual energy consumption of the appliance in kilowatt hours. Look for the lowest number possible. .
2. The energy consumption indicator lets you know how this model compares to others in its class. The bar below the indicator gives the energy efficiency range for this class of appliance. The further the indicator is to the left end of the scale, the better.
3. This bar shows you the energy consumption of the most and least efficient appliances in this class. In this case, the most efficient comparable model consumes 564 kWh per year while the least efficient uses 972 kWh per year.
4. Here, the type and capacity range of similar models is compared.
   

If you would like to learn more about ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, take a moment to visit the Natural Resources Canada website.

Refrigerators.

When it comes to the large appliances in your home, refrigerators usually consume the most energy. It's worth it to select the right size for your needs today and over the next while.

• One or two people usually require about 340 litres (12 cu. ft.).
• For three or four people, 395 to 480 litres (14 to 17 cu. ft.) are needed.
• For each additional person in your household, add about 55 litres (2 cu. ft.).
• Be sure to measure the space where your refrigerator will be placed. It's important to allow for 25 mm (1") of space on all around your refrigerator to heat will be able to move away from the compressor and condensing coil.
• When considering the various makes and models, choose a refrigerator with an energy saver switch.

Freezers

Chest freezers are far and away more energy efficient than their upright counterparts and give you more usable space.

• When considering the size of freezer for your needs, about 85 to 140 litres (3 to 5 cu. ft.) per person is about right.
• As with refrigerators, be sure to allow for the appropriate airflow space needed.

Electric Stoves

• When shopping for an electric stove, consider that self-cleaning ovens can be up to 25% more efficient. That's because they are usually better insulated than other models. When it comes to normal usage, the heat is distributed more evenly so less energy is consumed.
• When considering a particular model, check to see that the oven door is well insulated and fits tightly. Having a window in the oven door is excellent because you can check on the food cooking inside without opening the door which would let heat escape. By opening the oven door instead of using the window, the oven has to work harder to get back to the desired temperature so more energy is used.

Dishwashers

There are a couple of things to watch out for when considering a new dishwasher:

• Look for an economy cycle feature which will use less hot water. Why does this matter? It's important because about 85% of a dishwasher's electricity is used just to heat the water.
• Look for an energy-saver cycle. That will give you the option of turning off the heating element to let dishes air dry - a big energy saver!

Washers

There have been many energy savings advances made to today's washers. Consider:

• A front-loading washer. They are so much more energy efficient because they use significantly less hot water.
• A washer that offers cold water wash and rinse cycles which would significantly reduce your energy costs.
• A washer with a water level option and a choice of shorter, gentle cycles so you can do small loads and fine fabrics without wasting the energy needed to run a full cycle.
• If your laundry loads are usually small then consider a compact model.

Dryers

Another home energy thief! Consider the value of these features when shopping for your dryer:

• A cool-down "perma press" cycle will tumble clothes in cooler air for the last 5 to 10 minutes which saves energy and reduces wrinkling.
• A time control that lets you set the temperature and drying time helps avoid over-drying, which not only wastes energy but can also tough on fabrics.
• Look for a dryer with an energy-wise electronic moisture or temperature sensor that shuts the dryer off when it senses that the clothes are dry. A terrific energy savings feature!
• The choice of using the permanent press or delicate cycles which use less energy than the regular cycle.
• If you find that the majority of your laundry is made up of small loads, think about a compact model.
• Always explore the ENERGY STAR® qualified products which are at least 25% more efficient.

 

To get an idea of the energy being used throughout your home, have a look at some of these common household items here:

*This data is based on Ontario consumption.

When you go on vacation, take your energy conservation tips with you.

1. Remember to turn off the lights, radios and TVs when you leave your hotel room.
2. If your room has a coffeemaker with a timer or clock, unplug it after use. Phantom power still looms in hotel rooms.
3. Conserve the use of towels. Do you really need fresh towels every day? Instead leave the towels to be washed in the bath tub and hang the towels you wish to reuse on the rack and leave a note for housekeeping.
4. To conserve water and electricity, let your hotel know they don’t need to change your bed linen every day. Instead have housekeeping change bed linen every two days during your stay.
5. If you have control of the heat, turn it down when you leave the room. Why heat an empty room?
6. Just like home, raise the thermostat setting on the room air conditioner.
7. In the summer, to keep the heat out, close your blinds and curtains during the day. In the winter, keep the blinds and curtains open and let the sun heat and light your room naturally.
8. Take a quick shower instead of a bath. Did you know a typical occupied hotel room soaks up 218 gallons (825 liters) of water a day?
9. Make sure faucets and taps are not dripping. One constant drip can waste up to 181.7 litres of water a week or 364 half-litre-sized bottles of water. If it’s hot water that’s leaking, you’re literally sending energy dollars down the drain. Let the front desk know if you have dripping faucets or taps.
10. If you’re booking a meeting or convention, ask the hotel if it has environmental policy. And don’t forget to ask to see it. You might even be able to ask hotel management if there is one further energy conservation measure they could offer to secure your business. For instance, suggest that bed sheets can be changed every two days for your delegates.
11. Many hotels are committed to environmental measures that include energy conservation. Look for these “green” properties in your vacation choices.
12. Remember, everybody is a partner in energy conservation. Don’t forget your energy conservation manners when you’re on vacation.
13. To search for a green-rated hotel check out these sites.
    
    http://www.hacgreenhotels.com/home/default.asp
    http://environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com

There are appliances and electronic equipment that continue to gobble up electricity, whether they're being used or not. Since your home is going to be unoccupied for awhile, why not take some steps to save on energy use and cost?

Vacation Checklist

1. For increased security, use timers on light fixtures inside and outside your home. Using timers is much less costly in the long run than leaving your lights on all day. Fluorescent lighting requires special dimmers or timers, so make sure you use the correct ones for your fluorescent fixtures.
2. Your refrigerator is an electricity hog. If you are going to be away for a long period of time, consider emptying and unplugging your refrigerator.
3. If you spend a long time away from home during the coldest months of the year, set your thermostat down. In the winter set it at 18°C and if you’re away in the summer set it at 28°C. A programmable thermostat is a great way to change settings automatically. There are programmable thermostats for central heating and baseboard heating.
4. If you have a pool, make sure it’s covered and that the timer on the pool pump is set.
5. Ghost bust those phantom loads. Phantom loads, sometimes referred as “standby power,” is electricity consumed by electronic devices even when turned off, such as TVs, phone chargers, DVDs, even coffeemakers with clocks and timers. Unplug your electronics when you’re away from home for an extended period of time.
   

• For central or window air conditioning, consider the newer ENERGY STAR® qualified models, which are up to 70% more efficient than older models.
• Install a programmable thermostat. A properly set programmable thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10%. In the summer set your central air conditioner for 25°C when you are home and 28°C when you are away. In the winter set your thermostat at 20°C when you are home and 18°C when sleeping or away.
• Set the thermostat at 25°C or higher. For every degree your air conditioner is set below 24°C, you will use 3 to 5 % more energy.
• Turn your air conditioner up whenever possible to help reduce the strain on the electricity system during peak demand periods (noon to 8pm)
• During the day, draw your blinds to block the warming effect of direct sunlight.
• Using a ceiling or tabletop fan to circulate cooled air means you can set your thermostat higher and it will still leave your home feeling cool and comfortable.
• Use fans as a cool alternative to air conditioning. Ceiling fan blades should rotate to move the air downward in the summer to help produce a cooling breeze. In the winter, air should be moved upwards towards the ceiling to disperse the warm air that tends to accumulate there and distribute more evenly in the room.
• Shade central air conditioning outdoor units with trees or shrubs to use up to 10% less electricity. Make sure you don't block air flow around the unit.
• Choose a north-facing or shaded window for your window air conditioner to save electricity.
• Close your heating duct dampers so that more cooled air will circulate up through the house.
• Close your fireplace damper tightly to keep cooled air from leaking out.
• Clean or replace your air conditioning filter monthly. Dirty filters can restrict air flow and reduce your system's efficiency.
• Service your central air system annually.
• Set the fan switch on "automatic" instead of "on" or "continuous" to save electricity.
• Check your outside air conditioning unit for clogs. Air should flow freely around and through the vent(s).

• Wring out or spin dry clothes as much as possible before drying.
• Sort clothes into heavy, medium and lightweight loads since the lighter loads will dry more quickly than mixed loads.
• To avoid wasting heat, dry loads one right after another.
• After every load, be sure to clean the lint filter since a clogged one could use up to 30% more electricity.
• Using a clothesline to dry items instead of a dryer will greatly reduce your electricity costs - and will make your clothes smell great.
• When purchasing a dryer, look for a model with an energy-wise electronic moisture or temperature sensor that shuts the dryer off when it senses that the clothes are dry.
• An ENERGY STAR qualified dryer is at least 25% more efficient.
• Whenever possible to help reduce the strain on the electricity system, use your dyer after 8 p.m., when electricity usage is not at its peak.

• Choose the energy-saver cycle. That will give you the option of turning off the heating element to let dishes air dry - a big energy saver!
• Run the dishwasher only when it's full.
• There is no need to pre-rinse your dishes in the sink before placing them in the dishwasher.
• Use the air-dry setting or open the door to dry the dishes to save energy.
• Help the dishwasher work efficiently by regularly cleaning drains and filters.
• Since 85% of a dishwasher's electricity is used to heat the water, look for a short-cycle or econowash feature.
• Whenever possible to help reduce the strain on the electricity system, use your dishwasher after 8 p.m., when electricity usage is not at its peak.

• Defrost and clean your freezer annually or when the ice build up on the insides of the unit is more than 1/4 inch.
• Regularly vacuum up the dust on the back and underneath your freezer.
• Keep a space of at least five centimeters all around your freezer so heat will be able to move away from the compressor and condensing coil.
• The ideal temperature for your freezer is -18°C. It will use almost 2 % more electricity for each degree below -18°C.
• Chest freezers are more energy efficient than their upright counterparts.

After home heating, water heaters use the most energy in the home. Take advantage of the small things you can do to maximize your savings.

• To save hot water, take a shower instead of a bath. A typical bath will use about 75 litres of hot water. On the other hand, a shower with an efficient showerhead will use about half of that.
• Fix any leaky faucets. One constant drip can waste up to 181.7 litres of water a week or 364 half-litre-sized bottles of water. If it's a hot water faucet that's leaking, you're literally sending your energy dollars down the drain.
• To save water and energy, install aerators on your kitchen faucets.
• Wrap your electric water heater with a blanket made for that purpose to help reduce heat loss.
• Insulate your hot water pipes.

• Use the oven window to check foods as they cook. Opening the door releases at least 20% of the heat.
• Instead of using your oven to reheat food, use a toaster or microwave oven to save energy.
• It's not necessary to preheat your oven unless you're baking bread or pastry.
• Use the self-cleaning option when you finish cooking and while the oven is still hot.
• Consider a better insulated, self-cleaning oven, which can be up to 25% more efficient.

• Refrigerators are one of the biggest electricity users in the home, so it pays to consider an ENERGY STAR qualified model.
• Look for a model that has an energy saver switch.
• To keep refrigerators working well, defrost regularly.
• Get rid of that old, inefficient fridge in the basement you are using, but don't pass it along to a friend. Instead consider having it picked up for disposal with The Great Refrigerator Roundup. You could see electricity savings of about $120-$150 a year.
• Every three months, dust or vacuum your refrigerator's coils and air intake grill.
• Keep a space of at least five centimetres all around your refrigerator so heat will be able to move away from the compressor and condensing coil.
• Close your refrigerator door on a five dollar bill or piece of paper. If you can pull it our easily, you may need to replace the door gasket. Tight sealing gaskets keep cold air in and lower energy costs.
• Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator.

• Choose pots that match the size of the element.
• Avoid using bent or deformed pots and pans because they use more energy to get to the desired temperature.
• When cooking, use lids that fit snugly and keep them on while you cook to achieve an energy savings of up 20%.
• Save energy by boiling water with an electric kettle. Only boil what you need.
• Check the kitchen range filter and change when they get dirty. A dirty filter will slow down airflow and make appliances work harder.

• Wash and rinse clothes in cold water - 85 to 90 % of the energy for washing is to heat the water.
• Do laundry only when you have a full load.
• Consider an ENERGY STAR qualified washing machine because it will use 35 to 50 % less water and 50% less energy per load than the average conventional washing machine.
• Consider a compact model if your usual laundry loads are small.
• Whenever possible to help reduce the strain on the electricity system, use your washing machine after 8 p.m., when electricity usage is not at its peak.

• Thaw frozen food items in the refrigerator instead of on the counter top. When you transfer the items to be thawed from the freezer to the refrigerator the day before using them, the frozen items will help cool the refrigerator as they defrost, cutting down on the energy the refrigerator uses.
• Frost build-up increases the amount of energy needed to cool refrigerators, so defrost regularly. Never allow your freezer to build up frost more than 1/4 inch thick.
• Turn appliances off when you are not using them.
• Leave seldom-used appliances-such as extra televisions and video tape players - unplugged when not in use. They draw as much as 10 watts (7 kWh/month) even when they're turned off.
• Keep appliances in good working order. They will last longer and operate more efficiently. Talk to your superintendent if they are not working properly.
• Buy energy-efficient appliances.
• Preheat your oven only when absolutely necessary (ie for pastry or bread). Try not to preheat for more than 10 minutes.
• Whenever you can, use the range top instead of the oven. The range uses far less energy.
• When cooking or baking in your oven, do not open the oven door any more than absolutely necessary. The oven loses about 20% of its heat every time you open the door.
• Use a microwave or toaster oven to cook or heat food instead of an oven.
• If you're renting, check the refrigerator. An older model can use up to twice the power of a newer, energy-efficient model. If the landlord owns the appliance and you pay the power bill, it might be worthwhile to speak to your landlord to see if a newer, more energy-efficient model could be installed.

• When leaving a room for even a short time, turn off the lights.
• Use natural sunlight in place of electric lighting as much as possible.
• Dirty windows let in less light, and dirty light bulbs, fixtures and shades emit less light, so keep them clean.
• Position lamps to make the most of their light. For instance, you won't need to light up the whole room if you have a lamp by your reading chair or at your desk.
• Consider light-coloured furnishings, curtains, and rugs, rather than dark, because they reflect light and reduce the amount of artificial light needed in a room.
• Replace incandescent lights with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs in fixtures that you leave on for long periods of time (kitchens, study lamps, hallways, bathrooms). They use up to 75 % less electricity and last up to 10 times longer. Styles are available that fit into most common incandescent fixtures. They cost more to buy than incandescents, but you can always take them with you when you move.
• If you do use incandescent lights, use low-wattage light bulbs when you need only a small amount of light.
• Control your lighting with dimmers or timers. Dimmers save energy by allowing you to reduce the amount of energy needed. Using timers is much less costly in the long run than leaving your lights on all day. If you want the added protection of leaving lights on when nobody is at home, consider lighting timers. These turn the lights on and off automatically at pre-set times. Fluorescent lighting requires special dimmers or timers, so only use in fluorescent fixtures that are approved for such use.

• During the heating season, dress appropriately and consider setting your thermostat lower at night.
• Keep your radiators clean. Dirt and dust absorb heat and reduce heat output. Since radiator covers block air flow, you need to remove them when the radiators are in use.
• Arrange your furniture and drapes so they do not block or get in the way of the vents, radiators or baseboard heaters. If heated air from a forced air system enters your apartment through an inconveniently located register (for example, under a piece of furniture), direct the air out into the room with an air deflector. This inexpensive scoop-shaped device attaches over the register, typically with magnets.
• If your main door opens to either an unheated hallway or directly to the outdoors, make your door airtight. Warm air can escape between the door frame and the wall. If this is the case in your apartment, caulk between the frame and the wall. The loss of warm air is frequently greatest under the bottom of the door. Installing a door sweep on the bottom edge of your door will prevent this. A low-cost alternative to a door sweep is a draft guard, a closed tube of cloth filled with sand that is laid against the bottom of your door.
• Weatherproof your windows to decrease heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Caulk around the window to decrease heat loss or gain. In the winter, use plastic sheeting over your windows to act as temporary storm windows. Reasonably priced commercial mounting kits are available. For greater savings, you may want to invest in moveable insulation such as insulated curtains.
• Winterize your room air conditioner. It can let in drafts if left in place or uncovered during the winter. You should use an inside cover in addition to (or, if you cannot safely reach the outside of your unit, in place of) an outdoor cover.
• If you use a room air conditioner, check the filter at least once at the beginning of the cooling season. If it is clogged, your unit will operate inefficiently. Clean the filter or replace it. If you can do so safely, check and clean the condenser coils and the grills on the outdoor side of the unit.
• When the temperature outside is comfortable, use a window or ceiling fan instead of the air conditioner to feel cooler. A fan only requires a tenth of the electricity needed to run an air conditioner.
• If you have a fireplace without glass doors, consider plugging it when it is not in use. Even a closed damper leaks a large amount of heated air to the outdoors.

• Microwave Ovens
• Use your microwave or toaster oven to cook or warm small portions of food instead of using the oven, especially during the summer.
• Electric Kettles
• Your electric kettle is the most energy-efficient method for heating water.
• Make sure your kettle has an auto shut-off and an insulated handle.
• To keep it operating efficiently, regularly rid your kettle of mineral build-up.

Your pool is likely the second highest electricity hog in your house, just behind your air conditioner. But it doesn't have to be this way.

• To keep your pool sparkling clean and chemically balanced, run your pump for just 12 hours, instead of around the clock. If you’re interested in saving a boatload of energy and cash, install a heavy-duty timer that’ll run your pump from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. only. This way, your pool will stay clean without cleaning out your wallet. This also works for spas and hot tubs.
• Take note that timers are not recommended for use with pools or spas that use gas heaters. To help ensure your safety, your pool must be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet located a minimum of 3 metres (10 feet) from your pool. If you have an under-ground pool, please contact your pool technician or the Pool Council of Canada at (800) 879-7066 or www.poolcouncil.ca for more information.
• If you’re going to be away, make sure your pool is covered and that the timer on the pool pump is set.

GENERAL LIGHTING

• If a room or area is not being used, shut off the lights.
• Install automatic, occupancy sensor room-lighting controls to turn lights on or off, depending on occupancy or time of day.
• Use task lighting instead of overhead lighting. The right lighting for the task could result in a 15% savings.
• Use natural sunlight in place of electric lighting as much as possible.
• Position lamps to make the most of their light. For instance, you won't need to light up the whole room if you have a lamp by your reading chair or at your desk.
• In overly lit under-used areas, reduce the lighting. Reduce number of fixtures or wattage of bulbs.
• Replace your high-use incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs. They use up to 75 % less electricity and last up to 10 times longer.
• Make sure that bulbs, fixtures, lenses, lamps and reflective surfaces are cleaned regularly. By removing grease, dust and other dirt, you can increase the output of your lights.
• If you do use incandescent lights, use low-wattage light bulbs when you need only a small amount of light.
• Control your lighting with dimmers or timers. Dimmers save energy by allowing you to reduce the amount of energy needed. Using timers is much less costly in the long run than leaving your lights on all day. If you want the added protection of leaving lights on when nobody is at home, consider lighting timers. These turn the lights on and off automatically at pre-set times. Fluorescent lighting requires special dimmers or timers, so only use in fluorescent fixtures that are approved for such use.
• Change out incandescent or fluorescent exit signs with LED exit signs. Turn off any signage and systems not necessary for operations, security or safety.
• Upgrade fluorescent fixtures with the newer T8 (T8 tubes are 1 inch in diameter) fluorescent tube fixture that uses a electronic ballast, and has many advantages over the T12 fixture and magnetic ballasts. They use 35% less electricity; maintain their light level much better (only 8% lifetime light reduction instead of 40%; are quieter. The electronic ballast does not 'hum' like a magnetic ballast; light up much more quickly. The ballast does not have to warm up like a magnetic ballast.

 

DECORATIVE LIGHTING

• Replacing your old holiday incandescent lights with LED lights can bring holiday cheer to your electricity bill. They use up to 90 % less electricity. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified light strings.

 

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

• The outdoor porch lamp is one of the most used light fixtures in any home, making it the perfect place to install highly efficient ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products. Many compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will fit easily into existing porch lights. Be sure to use bulbs approved for use outdoors.
• ENERGY STAR qualified lighting fixtures are bright and warm but use about 75% less electricity than standard lighting and last up to 10 times longer.
• Whether welcoming visitors, searching for your keys or ensuring safety, motion sensors are an electricity-saving option for lighting your way, because they only operate when they detect movement.
• Consider photocell timers, which react to sunlight.

 

Spring and Summer

Spring cleaning includes making your home energy efficient. Make an impact on your electricity costs and make a difference to the environment.

Install a programmable thermostat. Properly set, it can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10%. Set your central air conditioner for 25°C when you’re at home and 28°C when you’re away. Better still, use ceiling fans to circulate air.  The blades should rotate to move the air down to help produce a cooling breeze.
• Clean or replace your air conditioning filter monthly.  Dirty filters can restrict air flow and reduce your system’s efficiency.
• Vacuum or brush refrigerator coils to make them more energy efficient.
• Keep the heat out.  Close your blinds and curtains during the day.
• Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). 
• Turn it off. Remember to turn off the TV, computer, stereo, DVD and lights when you’re not using them. Install a power bar with an integrated timer to shut off all your devices at the end of day.
• Use it in off hours. Run your dishwasher, washer and dryer early in the morning or after 8 p.m. when the demand for electricity is reduced. When you can, let the sun and breezes naturally dry your clothes.

Save more money! Visit www.everykilowattcounts.com for energy-efficient programs and rebates.

Fall and Winter

Get your home ready for the change in temperature, and impact your electricity costs and make a difference to the environment.

• Install a programmable thermostat. Properly set, it can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10%.  Set your thermostat at 20°C when you’re at home and 18°C when sleeping or away.
• Check for gaps in weather-stripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and air conditioners. By reducing drafts, you could save up to 30% a year in heating costs.
• Change your furnace air filter monthly so your unit won’t have to work so hard.  And don’t forget to schedule an appointment to have your heating system inspected by a licensed HVAC professional at least once a year.
• Vacuum refrigerator coils to make them more energy efficient.
• Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). 
• Don’t waste heat. Close off heat to unused rooms by closing doors. Keep closets doors shut too.
• Turn it off. Remember to turn off the TV, computer, stereo, DVD and lights when you’re not using them. Install a power bar with an integrated timer to shut off all your devices at the end of day.
• Use it in off hours. Run your dishwasher, washer and dryer early in the morning or after 8 p.m., when the demand for electricity is reduced.

Save more money! Visit www.everykilowattcounts.com for energy-efficient residential programs and rebates.

• Install a programmable thermostat. A properly set programmable thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10%. In the summer set your central air conditioner for 25°C when you are home and 28°C when you are away. In the winter set your thermostat at 20°C when you are home and 18°C when sleeping or away.
• In the winter open drapes on sunny days to let the warming rays in. At night, close your drapes and blinds to keep the heat in.
• Use weather-stripping and door sweeps to seal doors and reduce drafts. Comprehensive draft proofing can reduce your heating bill by 20 %. Apply caulking and weatherstripping around drafty doors and windows to keep the cold out. No drafts mean a more comfortable home.
• Maintain your heating and central air conditioning year round. A properly running furnace and air conditioner will save energy.
• Install the thermostat in the room you spend the most time in.
• Installing and setting a programmable thermostat in each room for electric baseboard heaters puts you in control and can produce significant electricity savings.
• Close off air registers in any unused areas or rooms.
• Clean or replace furnace filters monthly.
• Keep warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators clean and make sure they're not blocked.
• If you have hot-water radiators, bleed trapped air from them once or twice a season.
• When purchasing new heating equipment, select the most energy-efficient models possible. Check out the rebates available through the COOL SAVINGS REBATE Program
• All homes can become more energy efficient. You can save money and be more comfortable. However, many people don't know where to start. A comprehensive home energy evaluation is an excellent way to get an action plan for saving energy and money.

• Avoid having your furnace thermostat in a room with a fireplace.
• Plug and seal the chimney flue if you never use your fireplace.
• Unless you have a fire going, be sure to keep your fireplace damper closed so the warm air won't escape up the chimney.
• Consider installing tempered glass fireplace doors and a heat-air exchange system so warmed air could be blown back into the room.
• Make sure the seal on the flue damper is as snug as possible.

• Install a programmable thermostat. A properly set programmable thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10 %. In the summer set your central air conditioner (CAC) for 25°C when you are home and 28°C when you are away. In the winter set your thermostat at 20°C when you are home and 18°C when sleeping or away.
• Shade south- and west-facing windows with awnings, solar screens, reflective window film or leaf bearing trees.
• Use fans as a cool alternative to air conditioners. Install ceiling fans to help rooms feel cooler, instead of using an air conditioner. In the summer the blades should rotate to move the air down to help produce a cooling breeze. In the winter, air should be moved upwards towards the ceiling to disperse the warm air that tends to accumulate there and distribute more evenly in the room.
• Replace your older model room air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR qualified model and save at least 10% on your cooling bill.

One of the easiest, most cost-effective improvements you can make in your home is to insulate electrical outlets and light switches located in the house on exterior walls with a foam gasket. It's simple to do and only takes about 2 minutes.

How does it work?

• Electrical outlets and light switch boxes often cover leaky cavities in your walls.
• Insulating the space between the wall cavity and the faceplate will eliminate any small drafts.
  

What type of gaskets can I choose from?

• For standard electrical outlets choose an outlet gasket.
• For standard light switch faceplates choose a flip switch gasket.
• Each gasket can be easily trimmed to size.
  

What are the benefits?

• Consider your home has 5, 10, 25 or more outlets.
• If all the outlets in your house lets in a small breeze 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - that's a lot of wasted energy!
• These recurring small leaks add up to the equivalent to leaving a window open, all day, all night, and in all seasons.
• Making this simple improvement is especially beneficial, saving you on additional heating and air conditioning costs.

• If your basement is muggy in the summer or to reduce condensation on foundation walls and floors, consider purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified dehumidifier. It will help to lessen the humidity that could travel through your whole home.
• On a hot, muggy day, humidifiers can collect as much as 50 litres of water a day! Just set the humidity level and the unit will start and shut off automatically.
• If you’re currently using a dehumidifier and an exhaust fan to reduce the condensation on your foundation walls and floors, consider replacing your aging dehumidifier with a newer ENERGY STAR® model. It will consume much less electricity over the course of a year than an older one. Newer ENERGY STAR qualified dehumidifiers use 10% to 20% less energy than conventional models but offer the same features – effective moisture removal, quiet operation and durability. The energy saved by an ENERGY STAR qualified dehumidifier could power your refrigerator for 6 months!
• High-capacity dehumidifiers (i.e., that have a water removal capacity greater than 35.5 to 87.5 litres per day) must have an energy factor of 2.50 or higher. Normally, the higher the capacity of the dehumidifier, the more energy efficient it is – just make sure it is ENERGY STAR qualified.

• If a room or area is not being used, shut off the lights.
• Install automatic, occupancy sensor room-lighting controls to turn lights on or off, depending on occupancy or time of day.
• Use task lighting instead of overhead lighting. The right lighting for the task could result in a 15% savings.
• Use natural sunlight in place of electric lighting as much as possible.
• Position lamps to make the most of their light. For instance, you won't need to light up the whole room if you have a lamp by your reading chair or at your desk.
• In overly lit under-used areas, reduce the lighting. Reduce number of fixtures or wattage of bulbs.
• Replace your high-use incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. They use up to 75 % less electricity and last up to 10 times longer.
• Make sure that bulbs, fixtures, lenses, lamps and reflective surfaces are cleaned regularly. By removing grease, dust and other dirt, you can increase the output of your lights.
• If you do use incandescent lights, use low-wattage light bulbs when you need only a small amount of light.
• Control your lighting with dimmers or timers. Dimmers save energy by allowing you to reduce the amount of energy needed. Using timers is much less costly in the long run than leaving your lights on all day. If you want the added protection of leaving lights on when nobody is at home, consider lighting timers. These turn the lights on and off automatically at pre-set times. Fluorescent lighting requires special dimmers or timers, so only use in fluorescent fixtures that are approved for such use.
• Change out incandescent or fluorescent exit signs with LED exit signs. Turn off any signage and systems not necessary for operations, security or safety.
• Upgrade fluorescent fixtures with the newer T8 (T8 tubes are 1 inch in diameter) fluorescent tube fixture that uses a electronic ballast, and has many advantages over the T12 fixture and magnetic ballasts. They use 35% less electricity, maintain their light level much better (only 8% lifetime light reduction instead of 40%), and light up more quickly because the balast does not have to warm up like a magnetic ballast. As well, the electronic ballast does not 'hum' like a magnetic ballast - it is much quieter.

• Ensure all equipment (monitor, printer, speakers etc.,) are shut off at the end the day.
• Ghost bust those phantom loads. Sometimes referred to as "standby power", phantom load is electricity consumed by electronic devices even when turned off, such as a TVs, phone chargers, DVDs, VCRs, even coffeemakers with clocks and timers. Use a power bar with an integrated timer to shut off all your devices at the end of the day, or unplug your electronics when you're away from home for an extended period of time.
• Turn off your computers and any other office equipment when you're not using them, especially overnight and weekends. This practice costs nothing and can deliver significant energy and money savings.
• When the time comes to replace any of your electronic equipment, take the time to explore the savings that an ENERGY STAR model would deliver. In fact, ENERGY STAR rated electronics are 15 to 40% more efficient than older models, which would bring you savings for years to come. Choose settings that automatically switch the computer monitor into sleep or "power-down" mode when it hasn't been used for a preset amount of time. Shorten the delay time before your monitor automatically goes into sleep mode.
• At the office check with your Information Technology staff to see what can be done.
• Choose a flat-panel LCD computer monitor rather than a regular cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor. Flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors use less electricity than comparably sized CRT models. Remember, the bigger the monitor, the more energy it uses.
• Consider a laptop computer over a desktop PC because it uses less energy.
• Make sure any computer you purchase has an automatic power-down function that will automatically switch the monitor into sleep mode (preferably a deep sleep mode) after a preset period of inactivity. (A feature mandatory to bear the ENERGY STAR symbol)
• Make sure your entertainment systems are on a powerbar that can be turned off when not in use (applies to components without memories and clocks and timers).
• Be sure to unplug the TVs you use infrequently because they continue to draw power even when you've turned them off.
• Print only what is necessary
• Ink-jet printers use 90% less energy than laser printers
• Choose the proper-sized copier for your business needs.
• A screen-saver doesn't save energy.

Replacing old windows with energy-efficient ones is a significant step towards energy conservation.

• Look for windows that carry the ENERGY STAR label. This tells you that the windows are performance certified.
• Install quality doors, storm doors and windows.
• The lower the U-value, the better the insulation. If you live in a colder climate, a U-value of 0.35 or below is recommended.
• Look for windows with an air leakage rating of 0.3 cubic feet per minute or less.
• If you have heating and cooling requirements, choose windows with low U-values and low solar heat gain co-efficiency (SHGC) to maximize your energy benefits.

• Caulk your windows and doors to prevent air leaks.
• Install exterior or interior storm windows to reduce heat loss by 25 to 50%. Make sure your storm windows have weatherstripping at all of the moveable joints. To save even more energy, consider low-e storm windows.
• Be sure to weatherize your storm windows and keep them in good repair.
• By reducing the air leaks in your home, you'll realize a savings of at least 10% on your electricity bill.
• If you feel a draft on weatherized windows, install tight-fitting window shades.
• Open your curtains and shades during the day and close them at night.

• Use white window shades, drapes or blinds to help reflect heat away from the house.
• Keep curtains on south- and west-facing windows closed during the day.
• Shade south- and west-facing windows with awnings, solar screens, reflective window film or leaf bearing trees.