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Shut Off Your Lights
Many of us have the habit of leaving lights on when we leave a room. This extra lighting doesn`t benefit you and even costs you on your energy bill. Make a habit of shutting off the lights as you move between rooms.
Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs are x% more energy-efficient than incandescent light bulbs.
Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat will automatically change the temperature.
Seal off Unused Rooms
Why heat rooms that you don`t use? Close the heating vents and firmly close the windows and doors in the room. You may want to fill the cracks around the adjoining doors. You will be heating a smaller area in your house, which would naturally require smaller energy demands.
Seal Off Air Leaks
Your house may be exchanging air with the outside through cracks and improperly sealed areas around windows and doors. Find leakages in the building envelope and thoroughly caulk and seal these leaks. Maintaining your building envelope will make heating your house more efficient.
Seal your Fireplace
Your fireplace opens your house to the outside air. Sealing off your fireplace will maintain the building envelope and make heating your house more efficient.
Keep Your Air Conditioner in the Shade
An air conditioner in the sun will heat up over the day, which will have to work harder to cool the house. Shading your air conditioner will improve its efficiency.
Adjust Your Air Conditioner Thermostat
Do you run your air conditioner till the air is ice-cold? Adjust your thermostat so that temperatures in your house are comfortable, but not cool, as it needs to be. Even changing your thermostat by 2`C will make a difference in saving energy.
Turn Down Your Water Heater
Often, the thermostat on your water heater is set very high, maintaining your water at a temperature much higher than you would ever use. You can permanently set your water heater`s temperature safely as low as 55°C (130°F). Likely, you won`t notice the difference at all as you continue to use hot water. This will save energy and, therefore, save you money.
Shut Off Your Water Heater When You`re Gone
Your water heater requires a lot of energy to keep your water hot in the event you will want to use it. If you`re leaving for a vacation or a business trip, consider shutting off your water heater before you leave so that you won`t waste energy maintaining hot water in your house.
Unplug Your Electronic Devices
When your electronic devices are turned off, they still draw power from the grid. So, if you can unplug your devices when you are not using them you`ll be saving energy. Unplugging every device in your house before you go on vacation is an especially good opportunity to save energy.
Turn Off your Computer and TV
Many of us have picked up the habit of leaving the TV or computer on when we`re not using it. Make sure to shut these off when you`re done with them.
Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances and Electronics
If you`re about to purchase a new dishwasher, microwave, computer, printer, toaster, washing machine, dryer, or other appliance, consider purchasing an energy efficient one. You can spot the energy efficient choices by the accompanying EnergyStar© label. These appliances will likely save you money in the long run by saving you money on energy bills.
Lower Your Thermostat
Often you can re-adjust your thermostat to a few degrees lower without noticing a significant difference in comfort levels. This slight change, however, saves plenty of energy.
Change Your Air Conditioning Filter
Cleaning and replacing your air conditioning filter will help your air conditioner work properly. A clogged filter will make your air conditioner work harder and reduce its energy efficiency.
Insulate Your Water Heater
You can improve your water heater`s efficiency by insulating it. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket to avoid unnecessary heat loss. This is especially important for older water heaters.
Cover Your Pots While Cooking
Always make sure to cover your pots while you`re cooking. This will retain heat within the pot. Food will cook faster, shortening the time in which you`ll use power.
Don`t Pre-heat Your Oven
It isn`t necessary to pre-heat most modern ovens. Except for occasions when you may be baking, pre-heating the oven will not benefit you; rather, it will just use extra energy.
Use Cloth Diapers
Over its production and use, a cloth diaper will use less energy and resources than the production and use of disposable diapers. Consider replacing disposable diapers with cloth diapers to save energy and gain from many other benefits.
See Environment Canada for more information:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/envirozine/english/issues/45/any_questions_e.cfm