Home Tips

Here are just a few energy savings tips you can use to keep the warm air in, the cold air out, and your energy costs low.

Thermostat

Quick-tip: You can lower your thermostat by 4 – 5 degrees Celsius (7 – 9 degrees Fahrenheit) while you’re sleeping at night and when no one is at home.

Long-term tip: Consider buying a programmable thermostat.

Drapes and Blinds

Quick-tip: On sunny days open south facing drapes and let the sun in, a natural source of heat. If you have large windows that don’t receive direct sun, keep the drapes closed. Close your drapes and blinds during the night.

Pipes, ducts, fans and vents

Quick-tip: Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents that go through walls, ceilings and floors from heated to unheated spaces.

Windows, door frames, sills and joints

Quick-tip: Apply a sealant or caulk around windows, doorframes, sills and joints. On a windy day feel for leaks or use a couple of incense sticks to help identify leaks around windows, electrical outlets, vents and exterior doors. As well look for spider webs – if there is a web there is a draft.

To help prevent heat loss around windows use plastic window covers and make sure return air grills and heating vents are clear of furniture, rugs and drapes, as they will interfere with the flow of heat through your home.

Weather-stripping

Quick-tip: Weather-stripping provides a barrier between the fixed and movable sections of doors and windows. Apply weather-stripping to operable windows, exterior doors, garage doors, and doors that lead to the attic.

Long-term Tip: consider upgrading the windows in your home. Select high efficiency windows with low-e coatings, argon gas fill and insulated spacers.

Heating System

Quick-tip: Keep your heating equipment clean, lubricated and properly adjusted with annual maintenance. An improperly working heating system wastes fuel. Clean or replace the filter regularly – a dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to run longer to heat your home. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency, it will use less energy and cost you less to operate.

Long-term tip: Consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR qualified heating system which offers an efficiency of 90% or higher. If you plan to replace your furnace, try to do so before the winter.

Basement

Quick-tip: If you have an unfinished basement or crawlspace, check for leaks by looking for spider webs. If there is a web, there is a draft. A large amount of heat is also lost from an un-insulated basement.

Long-term tip: Consider adding insulation to basement walls.

Wood fireplace

Quick-tip: Not using your wood fireplace? Close the damper to prevent warm air from escaping through the chimney, and ensure the damper fits properly.

Long-term tip: Consider installing a natural gas fireplace. They’re economical and burn cleaner than wood-burning units.

Showerhead and faucets

Quick-tip: Install low-flow shower heads and faucets.

Clothes Drying

Quick-tip: Whenever it’s practical, use cold water when washing your clothes, and remember to wash full loads. Also make sure your clothes dryer vents directly outside.

Long-term tip: Consider installing a natural gas clothes dryer, which is more economical than electric.

Dishwasher

Quick-tip: Always wash a full load in your dishwasher and air-dry your dishes on the “energy saver” setting.

Cooking

Quick-tip: Try not to preheat your oven, and cook complete meals of several dishes simultaneously in the oven. Cook on range top burners when practical instead of in the oven.

Long-term tip: Consider buying a natural gas range. It’s less expensive to operate than an electric stove, and it also provides moist heat and greater temperature control.

Garage

Quick-tip: Turn on the heat just prior to use; save by not heating continuously.

To order your copy of “Keeping the Heat In” or for further information visit the Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada.

For more energy savings tips visit the Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada website.