energy saving tips
Even the smallest change can have an impact!
Lighting & Electronics
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Did you know that electronics left on standby mode still use electricity and phantoms power from devices? (This is known as vampire power). Clamp down on "vampire" power usage by turning off electronics when they are not in use. Another option is to plug electronics into a power bar, and switch off the power bar when they are not in use.
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Turn off computer, lights, TVs and other appliances when they are not in use.
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Use motion sensors for lights that don't need to be on all the time. Outdoor lights are a great place to uses sensors.
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Installing dimmer switches indoor can also help reduce indoor lighting costs.
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Additionally something as simple as turning a light off when you leave the room can be a great way to reduce your overall consumption.
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Appliances
The more appliances, the more you use.
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Fridges: Your fridge should have a good seal on it to ensure it keeps the items in it cold. You should be able to hold a five dollar bill within your seal without it falling out. If the bill does not stay in place, it may be time to replace the seal around your fridge.
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Microwaves & Ovens: Match the task with the appliance you are using. If you are reheating something, it makes more sense to use the microwave for thirty seconds than pre-heating the oven and taking a longer time to warm up a small item.
Additionally, preheating your oven is only necessary for baking. Items such as toasts and casseroles can skip this step, ultimately reducing your overall consumption.
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Freezer: Freezers work best when they are 2/3 full. If your freezer is jam packed, it does not allow airflow and could cause uneven freezing temperatures.
Heating & Cooling
You can see significant increases in your energy consumption if you are heating or cooling a space that is not retaining the heat or cooling.
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Test for Air Tightness:
If you hold a lit candle next to a door seal or a window seal, a strong air leak will blow the flame.
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Caulking and weather-stripping can reduce drafts due to improperly sealed doors and windows.
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Wall outlets are also a big source of air leaks and drafts. Caulking can help reduce air leaks and if the air leak is bad enough, foam can be installed behind outlets to further prevent drafts.
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Programable Thermostats:
You can reduce your consumption by using a programable thermostat to adjust your temperature during different times of the day when you are not at home or while you are sleeping. Use the mentality of set it and forget it!
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high consumption
The cold weather during the winter season and extreme heat during the summer typically contributes to higher energy consumption.
In the winter, people spend more time indoors using appliances, lights and electronics but your furnace also runs more frequently to keep your home warm. In addition to this, items such as space heaters and block heaters draw high amounts of consumption while in use.
In the summer, people may spend more time running their AC units, fans and appliances such as refrigerators run more often to keep items cold.
If you have concerns regarding high consumption, during any time of the year, we encourage you to look at the items you have in use around your home which may be contributing to higher energy consumption.
By using this simple formula, you can calculate the approximate consumption with each device you have running.
Watts / 1000 x Hours x Days in Month= kWh —> 1500 / 1000 x 24 x 31 = 1,116.00 KWH
