We're all looking for ways to save energy.
Because winter is always just around the corner, and if you're like us, you feel the pain in your wallet every time you turn up your thermostat.
Unfortunately, cheap home heating doesn't just happen. How often have you known your utilities to lower prices? Thought not.
But there are simple steps you can take to pursue cheap living and lower your heating bill this winter.
Ways to Save Energy: Lower Your Thermostat
Experiment with lowering your thermostat by a few degrees and see how you get on. Most people won’t notice a difference. If you tend to feel the cold, you can try increasing the temperature slightly to a level you can live with, but that will still save you money.
Did your mother ever hit you with the “Put on a sweater!” retort when you complained about feeling cold as a youth? Well, it’s time you listened to her. Make friends with your fleeces and woollens. Pull out your cozy afghans and vintage eiderdowns. The next time you’re tempted to jack up the heat, add a layer instead.
Try lowering the thermostat on your hot water heater by a few degrees. For safety (to ensure that all bacteria and germs are killed), a dishwasher must have water heated to 49 degrees Celsius (120F). If you don’t have a dishwasher, try lowering the thermostat on your water heater, and see if you notice a difference.
Want Lower Energy Bills? Have an Energy Health Check
Get a home energy efficiency audit. Check to see if you qualify for a rebate from your local authority or government. For example, if you own a single family home in Ontario, the provincial government will rebate 50% (up to $150) of the cost of an audit by one of their approved auditors. This is part of their Home Energy Audit Program. An energy audit will point out any areas that need improvement, and make suggestions for steps you can take to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Hello, Sherlock Homes
Or become a draft detective. Check for cold air coming in through badly sealed windows and doors (and test for heated air escaping outside). The flickering flame from a lit candle will show you where air is leaking out. You can buy weather stripping and plastic sheets in most hardware stores for DIY repairs.
Saving Energy: Just Put a Sweater On
Think about adding more insulation to your home if there’s an overall chill in the air that no amount of thermostat jacking will get rid of. Some houses (particularly older homes) were not built with sufficient insulation. If your house hasn’t been renovated since it was built, it’s worth checking that it’s got enough insulation (or any at all!).
Insulate your water pipes and buy a jacket for your water heater (you can buy these in most hardware stores). This helps retain the heat inside the unit.
Energy Saving: You Dirty Thing, You!
Take shorter showers. You can be squeaky clean and energy saving at the same time. Long steamy showers can make up a bigger proportion of your heating bill than you’d think.
Minimize your use of bathroom fans and oven extractor fans in winter. They're very efficient at removing damp or smoky air, but also suck heat out at the same time. Conversely, ceiling fans can help circulate heated air, so can be a boon in winter. Warm air rises, and if you turn on a ceiling fan on its lowest setting, it can help redistribute heated air around a room.
Ways to Save Energy: Go Go Gadget
Try some energy saving gadgets. You can buy programmable thermostats that will raise and lower the temperature in your home at pre-selected times (like just before you go to bed, or get up in the morning). Hot water bottles or microwavable wheat-filled pillows can help keep your bed toasty at night (when you’ve turned the thermostat down), or when you’re snuggled on the couch watching TV.
Use energy efficient appliances. If your furnace is old and nearing the end of its life, buy the most energy efficient replacement you can afford. Clean vents and filters regularly and have your heating system maintained by a professional.
Replace your washer and dryer with energy efficient units (when they need replacing, unless you've won the lottery), and wash your clothes in cold water.
Ways to Save Energy: An Open & Shut Case
Open curtains during the day in rooms that get full sunlight to take advantage of the sun’s warmth. Use heavy draperies to keep heat in after sunset.
Close off rooms you don’t use, and lower the thermostat.
Ways to Save Energy: Why Small is Good
If it’s an option for you, consider downgrading to a smaller house or apartment. By default, if you have fewer rooms to heat, you’ll save money on your energy costs (and probably on your mortgage or rent as well).
Finding ways to save energy at first means taking little steps. Turn down the thermostat, put on your thermal underwear, and make sure you maintain your furnace so that it works efficiently. By implementing a few lifestyle changes, and learning more about how to save energy, you’ll save money on your home heating costs, and re-discover sweaters you’d forgotten you had.
Some members of the family took longer than others to adjust
to the new energy-saving regimen.
