When you make small energy efficiency changes around the house, you use less electricity. Visit the Save on Energy website to learn about new Save on Energy programs and even more tips to help you save energy.

Seasonal Tips

  • Plant leafy trees on south side of home and evergreen trees on north side – for shade in summer and wind protection in winter.
  • Use the most energy efficient type of lawn mower. Consider a push mower – its good exercise too.
  • Install solar-powered LED garden landscape lights to increase outdoor visibility.
  • Use motion sensors with outdoor lighting that doesn`t always need to be on.

Appliances

  • Use your dishwasher and dryer early in the morning, in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are lower.
  • Only run full loads in the dishwasher.
  • Use an outdoor clothesline during summer to save electricity.
  • When buying a new washing machine, look for an ENERGY STAR qualified front-load model to reduce water use by almost 45% and energy use by about 65%.
  • Do laundry only when you have a full load.
  • Refrigerators are one of the biggest electricity users in the home, so it pays to consider an ENERGY STAR qualified model.

  • The ENERGY STAR symbol on a new fridge means:

    • It is at least 15% more energy-efficient than the minimum standards set federally.
    • Uses half as much electricity as a fridge that's 10 years old.

Heating and Cooling 

  • Install a programmable thermostat to set temperatures for different times of the day, for example, when you are sleeping and when you are not at home.
  • In the summer, set your central air conditioner (CAC) for 25°C when you are home, and 28°C when away. Or, if you can, turn it off.
  • Caulk, seal and weather-strip windows, attic hatches and air conditioners. Install a seal sweep on doors to keep the heat in during the winter and the cool in during the summer. If windows are not airtight, use plastic window film during the winter.
  • Close curtains/blinds during the day in summer, open them during the day in winter.
  • Use fans instead of air conditioners.
  • On summer nights, open windows and curtains/blinds to allow cooler air in.
  • Set ceiling fans to force air down in summer and up in winter.
  • Keep lamps, televisions, and other heat- producing appliances away from thermostats – they make air conditioners work overtime.
  • Locate air conditioning units on the north side of home or in shaded area if possible. Service your central air system annually.
  • Keep doors and windows closed when heat or air conditioning is on.
  • Clear away anything blocking heating and cooling vents.
  • Clean or replace furnace filters regularly.
  • Is your attic insulated? Insulate or top up existing insulation - it could reduce your annual energy costs by 5 – 30%.

Lighting

  • Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs - they use up to 90% less electricity  and can last over 20 years.
  • Choose the right LED: warm or soft white for bedrooms and living rooms; bright white or daylight for kitchens and work areas.
  • Use LED holiday light strings instead of incandescent light strings.
  • Dust bulbs regularly. A clean bulb is brighter.
  • Not in that room? Turn the lights off.
  • Use timers and motion sensors for indoor and outdoor lighting so lights come on when you need them, where you need them.
  • Consider task lighting where needed instead of lighting an entire room.

Phantom Power

  • Create a “charging enter” using a power bar with a timer to charge cell phones, mP3 players and other mobile devices at night. Set the timer to turn off during the day. (Did you know that electronics that are turned off but still plugged in continue to draw power?).
  • Use a power bar for all computers, entertainment and peripheral devices to shut down and power off all equipment when not in use.