Small Changes Around the Home Can Save You Money

Easy energy-saving habits can reduce your monthly bill

Do you wish you could reduce your monthly energy costs? It’s easier than you think. Making a few small changes to your energy use around your home will show up on your monthly bill. Even little changes can make a difference.

To help you decide which energy saving habits will be simplest to implement, look at the opportunities room by room.

Kitchen

When you combine appliances and hot water use, the kitchen can account for up to 20 percent of your household energy use. Using your dishwasher is more efficient than handwashing. If you are washing dishes by hand, fill the sink with the least amount of hot soapy water necessary to get the job done. Your fridge uses more energy than any other appliance in your home because it runs 24 hours a day! Help it work more efficiently by not overfilling it. And, be quick when you open and close the doors, including the freezer. Use ice cube trays instead of an ice maker function and check your temperature settings. Your fridge can be set to between 2.5°C and 5°C. Freezers can be kept around -17°C

When it's time to upgrade appliances, choose ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances to lower your energy use and save money on your energy bills.

Bathroom

Because hot water accounts for up to 20% of your household energy use, there are great energy savings to be found in the bathroom. Install efficient showerheads and you’ll use less hot water during your shower. Try knocking a minute off your shower time and you’ll save even more. An energy-efficient showerhead will pay for itself in six months. Keep in mind that showers are more efficient than baths because they use less hot water.

Livingroom/Family Room

The living room is often the electronics hub of the home, where you have your main TV, gaming consoles and other electronics. Much of the total energy used by your electronics is when they’re in standby mode.

In the average Canadian household that amounts to five to 10% of the energy bill. To avoid this waste, plug electronics into power bars that can easily be turned off when the device isn’t in use.

Unplug chargers as soon as a device is fully charged or when the charger is not in use. A charger still draws power even when the device it is charging has been removed. (This electricity is wasted as heat which you can feel by touching the charger when it is plugged in.)

Dining Room

Although the dining room is used less than other rooms in the house, there are still efficiency opportunities. Replace chandeliers or light fixtures containing multiple bulbs with energy-efficient ones. Light-fixtures with multiple lightbulbs use a significant amount of energy. If you can't replace the fixture, choose ENERGY STAR®-rated lightbulbs (they use 90% less energy than standard lightbulbs).

You can also install a dimmer switch. Mood lighting sets the ambiance and can use up to 40% less energy. Don't forget to turn your thermostat down when you're not using the dining room.

Office

Our home offices are in use more than ever before. Try to work in one consistent space in your home. That limits energy usage in the other rooms of the house. Take advantage of the daylight instead of turning on the lights.

Laptops are more energy-efficient than desktops. Unplug your laptop after it charges to save its battery life and reduce its energy draw. Use a power bar when you need to plug in your devices. Keep devices unplugged when you're not using them. Standby power or phantom power can add five - 10% to your energy bill.

You can find easy ways to save money on your energy bill by making small changes around your home. If you’re in search of deeper energy savings, the Total Home Energy Savings Program is there to help you make your home more energy-efficient.

FAQs

How can I save money around the house?

There are many ways to save money around your house. Changing HVAC system filters increases the system's efficiency by up to 15%. Always wash your clothes in cold water. Washing in cold water saves you from heating the water.

How can I make my house more energy efficient for free?

The best way to make your home more energy efficient for free is to conserve energy. Turn electronics off when they’re not in use. (Plug them into a power bar to make it easier to turn them off.) Inspect your sump pump to keep water out of your basement and make sure it's running efficiently. Inspect the outlets in your home for air leaks. Install foam gaskets behind face plates and use child safety outlet covers to plug drafts.  Try limiting the amount of time you use space heaters. Space heaters use a significant amount of energy and are fire risks.

How do I improve the energy efficiency of my home?

To improve your home's energy efficiency, start by ensuring all the warm air stays in the house. Check all of the seals on the windows and doors for drafts. Use weather stripping and caulking to keep cold air from coming in and warm air from escaping. Replace all incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR®-rated light bulbs. Don't forget to turn off the lights when you leave the room.

Programmable thermostats make saving energy more convenient. You can easily program thermostats to turn down the heat automatically when you're not home and during the night.

How can I lower my energy bill?

The best energy saving tips are effortless. Remember to unplug anything you're not using and turn off the lights. Turn down the thermostats at night and when you’re not home. Throw a dry towel in with your next load of laundry. The towel soaks up extra water and reduces drying times.