Power Smart

The following Power Smart tips will help you save energy, money and the environment.
 
Laundry
1.  For consumers that wash clothes in warm cycles, by switching to cold water washing, savings are up to $52/year.  For consumers that wash in hot, switching to cold could save up to $217/year.
2.  Put a dry towel in the dryer to help clothes dry faster; this cuts down on drying time which cuts down on energy costs.
3.  Always wash a full load of laundry.
4.  Hang clothes to dry whenever possible.
5.  When purchasing a new washing machine, look for the ENERGY STAR label.
 
Computer and Home Office
1.  Turn equipment off when not in use. A PC and monitor left on continuously consume between $75 and $120 worth of electricity a year. In standby mode, this can be reduced to $15.
2.  There are many energy saving or "power management" features available on all types of computers and home office equipment.
3.  Monitors use up to 75% of the energy powering your computer.
4.  It is a myth that computers use large amounts of energy when starting up or that frequent start-ups damage components or lead to electrical surges. It is much more cost-efficient to shut the computer down when you have finished using it – it actually reduces wear on your system.
5.  ENERGY STAR labelled computers use 70% less electricity than computers without enabled power management features.
6.  ENERGY STAR labelled fax machines have a power management feature to cut the energy costs associated with fax machines by almost 50%.
 
Household Lighting
1.  Lighting accounts for up to 10% of the electricity used in your home. Making your lighting system more energy-efficient can put real savings in your pocket.
2.  Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use approximately 75% less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs to produce the same amount of light.
3.  CFLs last approximately 8 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs. They only need to be replaced every five to six years with regular use.
4.  To maximize savings, use CFLs in high-use areas where the lights are left on for the longest periods of time (2-3 hours).
5.  To benefit from their long life use CFLs in hard to reach places
 
ENERGY STAR Labelled Appliances
1.  Look for the ENERGY STAR label on the most energy efficient appliances. Manufacturers add the ENERGY STAR label to the EnerGuide label to single out energy efficient appliances. It's Power Smart to buy ENERGY STAR.
2.  ENERGY STAR labelled refrigerators use half of the electricity of a standard 10-year-old fridge. 
3.  ENERGY STAR labelled dishwashers can save up to 25% on water heating costs by heating incoming water.
4.  ENERGY STAR labelled washing machines use 35 to 50 % less water than standard models, saving 14,000 to 22,000 litres of water per year.
5.  Although energy-efficient appliances may cost more initially, the energy savings on your electricity bill can often make up for the high initial cost.
 
Water Works
1.  Water heating is the second-largest energy user in your home, representing about 20% of your energy bill.
2.  Insulate your hot water pipes with pipe wrap or foam to prevent heat loss and keep the savings flowing. 
3.  A water saving showerhead can reduce your home's hot water use by up to 15%.
4.  Faucet aerators can reduce the rate of flow through a faucet by up to 40%, saving water and energy.
5.  Fix leaky faucets. They can waste 11,350 litres or more of water per year.
6.  Run your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads.
 
Thermostats
1.  Nearly half of every dollar you spend on household energy goes to heating your home.
2.  Replace manual thermostats with programmable or electronic ones.  Both offer better temperature control, convenience, and savings. 
3.  When selecting a programmable thermostat, make sure its functions match your day-to-day schedule. Recommended temperatures are:
4.  Sitting, reading or watching TV--21°C (70°F)
5.  Working around the house--20°C (68°F)
6.  Sleeping--18°C (64°F)
7.  Away from home --16°C (61°F)
8.  Different heating systems require different types of thermostats. Check manufacturer labels to ensure you're purchasing the right thermostat for your heating system.
 
Insulation / Draftproofing
1.  Proper insulation prevents the money you spend on heating your home from escaping into thin air. You can insulate various places in your home, such as the attic, floors, walls, crawlspace and basement. Proper insulation helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
2.  Draftproofing can reduce your home's heat loss by 5~10%. 
3.  Use weatherstripping around door openings and windows. Caulking can seal gaps and holes around non-opening windows, electrical outlets and openings around water pipes and vents.
4.  When draftproofing, ensure that your home's fresh air intake and ventilation system are operating correctly.
5.  The average family produces 10~15 litres of moisture a day from cooking, baking and other activities. Excessive condensation could indicate the need for more ventilation.
6.  An exhaust fan, controlled by a simple timer switch, can help control moisture and prevent excessive ventilation.

Winter Power Smart Tips
Insulation:
1.  Thermal insulation, correctly installed, forms a complete blanket around the heated area of a building
2.  It is one of the easiest, most efficient methods of minimizing heating and cooling energy requirements
 
Draftproofing:
1.  Sealing the drafty holes in a home will increase the comfort level, save money and provide a quiter indoor environment
2.  Draftproofing is the most cost-effective home improvement measure (can reduce a home’s heat loss by 5-10%)
3.  Seal all cracks where air can leak in or out: around windows and doors, electrical outlets, mail chutes, baseboards, attic openings, around water pipes
4.  The 2 main types of draftproofing are weatherstripping and caulking.  Weatherstripping is used to seal around opening doors and windows.  Caulking is used to seal gaps and holes around fixed, non-moving joints and fixtures
 
Thermostats:
1.  Nearly half of every dollar you spend goes to heat your home
2.  Replace manual thermostats with programmable or electronic ones.  Both offer better temperature control, convenience, and savings
3.  When selecting a programmable thermostat, make sure its functions match your day-to-day schedule
4.  Different heating systems require different types of thermostats.  Check manufacturer labels to ensure you’re purchasing the right thermostat for your heating system
5.  Always look for ENERGY STAR label.  It’s Power Smart to buy ENERGY STAR.
 
Holiday Lighting:
1.  Household lighting accounts for up to 10% of the electricity used in your home.  Making your lighting system more energy-efficient can put real savings in your pocket
2.  Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are an energy efficient alternative to traditional incandescent holiday lights
3.  LEDs use up to 95% less energy and last at least 10 times longer than standard light bulbs
4.  Holiday LEDs are a safer technology as they are very durable, there are no filaments or glass bulbs to break, and they generate very little heat.

Contact:Simi Heer, Media and Communications Coordinator, Power Smart Outreach, Phone 604 623-3963
More information at Power Smart at Home