Here are some helpful tips to save money on your
monthly energy
bills this season.
- Do a home energy audit. This survey analyzes your home's structure, appliances and insulation, as well as your family's lifestyle. Various companies throughout the GTA can provide home energy audits, with a full report and recommendations about how your family can save energy.
- Have your heating system inspected regularly - especially if it's
natural gas. A preventative maintenance annual tune-up, can help reduce
your heating costs by up to five percent.
The cleaner and more efficient your heating and air conditioning equipment are, the more you'll enjoy energy savings. - Install a Programmable Thermostat. Why heat the house when nobody's home? A programmable thermostat can automatically lower and raise your home's air temperature when you're at work or heading to bed for a good nights sleep. For every 1°C (2°F) you lower your thermostat, you save two per cent on your heating bill. A reduction of 3°C (5°F) at night and when you’re away during the day provides optimal savings. If you don’t have a programmable thermostats (source: www.climatechange.gc.ca)
- Turn on the Humidifier during the heating season. Adding moisture to the air in your home will make it feel warmer. If your furnace doesn't have a built-in humidifier, you can place a portable unit in frequently used areas. Make sure the humidistat settings are appropriate for outdoor temperatures so that condensation doesn’t build up on windows.
- Close Vents to Guest Rooms. By closing the vents to just one spare bedroom in your house, you'll likely see a difference in your heating bills. But don't put away your welcome mat; you can open the vents when guests stay over. Be sure to monitor closed-off rooms to ensure that moisture doesn't build up in corners or closets.
- Change or clean your furnace filter once a month. Dust and dirt can quickly clog vital parts, making your furnace run harder and eventually break down.
- Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to keep cold air out, but open them during the day to let the sun warm the room.
- Set the fan on your central air conditioner to "on" rather than "auto." This will circulate air continuously, keeping the temperature more even throughout the house and aiding in dehumidification.
- Don't set the thermostat higher than you actually want it. It won't heat your home any faster, and it will keep your furnace running longer than necessary.
- Upgrade your heating and air conditioning products to energy star rated units. Units such as [LINK] Carriers Infinity 21 Series [LINK] can help reduce your energy bills (on A/C) by up to 52%.
