The more responsibly we use energy at home, the more we can reduce our carbon footprint, and even improve the economy.
“Conserving energy is becoming critical not only in terms of the environment, but the economy. If a consumer saves $25 on their energy bill, they will invest that money in something else, which creates jobs and keeps the economy going,” says Ken Elsey, president and CEO of the advocacy group Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance.
Making some small changes to our energy use habits and using eco-smart products—which are now all over the market—are all it takes to be a greener energy user.
Earth Day today is the perfect time to start or step up your efforts to save the environment from further damage.
Seal it up
Heating is one of the biggest energy users in a house and a home not properly insulated can waste heat.
“Any small cracks in a house create heat loss. Because of that, your heater has to work overtime,” Elsey says.
Make sure all your windows are well caulked, he says. If you’re painting a room, pry off the trim around the windows and cover them with a foam sealant to fully plug all crevices.
Keep a furnace fit
A dirty furnace filter reduces the flow of hot air, which means your furnace has to run longer to heat your house.
“A properly running furnace will use less energy and cost less to operate,” says Elsey, who recommends you have your furnace serviced once a year.
Consider investing in an Energy Star furnace, which are much more efficient and can help you save significantly on your heating bill.
Let nature do her job
Landscape your property in a way that enables you to rely less on your heating and air conditioning, Elsey says.
“You can plant a maple tree on the south side of your home, and use it effectively for shade in summer. In winter, the leaves disappear, and you have warming rays coming in. So it has a positive impact in both summer and winter.”
Power down
Plug all of your electronics, such as your TV, CD player and DVD player, into a power bar with an on/off switch, Elsey recommends.
“This helps cut out the phantom power that is being used even when these electronics are turned off.”
If you’re in the market for new electronics, he adds, think about going for Energy Star models.
Be water wise
The hot water you use in your washing machine may be the biggest water-related consumer of energy in your home, Elsey says, but other water appliances also use their fair share.
“Whenever you turn on the tap, hot or cold, that water is being pumped by the municipality, and energy is being used for that process, which is reflected in your water bill.”
Investigate low-flow shower heads and toilets, as well as tap aerators, to help reduce the amount of water you use.
And take short showers which use less water than baths.
As for your washing machine, “we’ve done studies that show clothes come out just as clean with cold water as with hot water,” Elsey says.
The way forward
He points out that technology is playing a vital role in the way we use and conserve energy, with devices and features such as programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent light bulbs, light dimmers and solar water heaters making it possible for us to be more sustainable energy users.
But the real breakthrough in energy conservation lies in being able to automate all energy-using functions of a home, he says, and it’s one that we’ll have to embrace to keep our energy costs at their current levels.
“If we keep using energy like we do today, people are going to see 25% increases in their energy bills,” Elsey says. “Home automation is really the next technology leap that’s going to make a big difference in saving energy.”
source: vancouver.24hrs.ca
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