Here’s How to Save Energy throughout Your Home

Residential energy use increased 2.4% from 1990 to 2016, according to National Resources Canada. That’s a lot – but without adoption of a range of new energy-saving systems like high-efficiency furnaces and more energy-efficiency water heaters, energy use would have actually increased 53%! The bottom line is that, in 2016 alone, Canadian households actually saved over $1,000 a year¹ to more energy-efficient appliances.

Still, there’s a lot more we can do each and every day – to help save energy, save money and save the environment. Here are a few ways we can all help:

Save energy in the kitchen

• Your refrigerator and freezer are most energy-efficient when they’re completely filled, not over or under filled.
• Run your dishwasher only when it’s full.
• Turn off your oven a few minutes before the cooking time ends – this allows your food to finish cooking without using extra gas or electricity.

Save energy on laundry

• Wash all your clothes in cold water.
• Wash full loads whenever possible.
• Choose a front-loading rather than top-loading washing machine – it uses much less water.
• Don’t wash or dry during peak usage time (7am – 7pm in Ontario).

Save energy on heating and cooling

• Save up to 10% by air sealing your home’s cracks, gaps and leaks.
• Shut your blinds, shades and drapes in warm weather to reduce the work for your AC and open them during cooler months to let the sun warm your home.
• Set your thermostat to 25 degrees Celsius in summer and 20 in winter.
• Consider replacing single-pane windows with more energy-efficient ones or add solar shades or tinting film.
• Install a Smart Home or programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature.
• Clean or replace all filters regularly – dirty ones make your system work harder and run longer than necessary.

Save energy by lowering your electricity bill

• Turn off the lights when you’re not using them – lighting accounts for about 12% of your utility bill.
• Avoid placing appliances that give off heat, like lamps or TVs, near a thermostat.
• Don’t leave electronics on all day – only turn on your computer, monitor and printer when you need them.

Get advice from professionals

Whether you need repairs, an installation or upgrade, or you simply have questions, Reliance™ has a team of certified Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical technicians that can help. Call us anytime!

¹Natural Resources Canada Government of Canada, “Energy Use in the Residential Sector,” Energy Use in Canada: Trends Publications | Natural Resources Canada, November 4, 2016, https://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/statistics/trends/2016/residential.cfm.