February 28, 2014

1. Lower your temperature – Switch to programmable thermostats, for the whole space if possible or at least for the main rooms. A programmable thermostat works automatically: you set it once for example, to turn down to 16ºC at night and back up to 21ºC in the morning and it will continue to automatically adjust the room temperature for you. The result: you could save as much as 10 percent on your energy bills.
2. Become an ENERGY STAR^® – Replace old or drafty windows and doors with ENERGY STAR windows and doors. These will keep more heat inside during the winter (and keep more heat out during the summer), plus they’ll decrease outside noise and protect your belongings from sun damage.
3. Adjust your appliances – Proper appliance maintenance is essential. Damaged or misaligned door seals, for example, can cause major energy leaks, especially for ovens, fridges, freezers and clothes washers.
4. Cook smarter – Self-clean your oven while it’s still hot. You’ll use less energy than starting with a cold oven.
5. Clean better – Use the right amount of laundry detergent. Too much detergent makes your machine work harder and use more energy, so check your machine’s manual to find out how much you should use for your type of water (water is considered either “hard” or “soft” contact your town or city council to find out what kind of water you have).