Conservation In Your Home
Try these simple tasks around your home and see how the savings really add up!
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. Compact fluorescents use 75% less electricity and last 8-10 times longer.
- Use your major appliances between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
- Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
- Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips and turn power strips off when equipment is not in use.
- Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater; 115° is comfortable for most uses.
- During the winter months, lower your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. During the summer months, set your thermostat to 78° or higher.
- Hang your clothes outside on the line to dry. Wash your clothes in cold or warm water.
- Clean or replace furnace and air conditioner filters regularly.
- Ensure that your home is properly insulated. Insulation helps regulate your home's temperature.
- Install a House Fan to reduce the need for air conditioning.
Shopping for Energy Efficient Appliances
When it comes to buying new appliances and electronics in your home, it is certain that you will come across the EnergyGuide, EnerGuide and Energy Star Labels. While all of these labels represent energy efficiency, have you ever wondered what they mean?
EnerGuide Label (Canada)
The Canadian black and white EnerGuide label is a tool to help consumers make an energy-wise choice when buying a new appliance. It shows how much energy an appliance consumes in a year of normal service, and makes it easy to compare the energy efficiency of each model to others of the same size and class. EnergyGuide is a similar labelling initiative in the United States, although the black and yellow EnergyGuide label also shows an appliance's estimated annual energy costs.
EnergyGuide Label (United States)
The Federal Trade Commission requires EnergyGuide labels on most home appliances (except for stove ranges and ovens), but not home electronics, such as computers, televisions, and home audio equipment. EnergyGuide labels provide an estimate of the product's energy consumption or energy efficiency. They also show the highest and lowest energy consumption or efficiency estimates of similar appliance models.
ENERGY STAR Label
The international ENERGY STAR symbol is a simple way for consumers to identify products that are among the most energy-efficient on the market. Only manufacturers and retailers whose products meet the ENERGY STAR criteria can label their products with this symbol. Choosing an ENERGY STAR-labelled product over a conventional model could save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs.
