Energy Efficiency In Your Household - Keep Cool And Save Money

I'm sure a lot of us remember the Great Blackout of 2003. It was an event that we will keep telling our children about for many many years - how we went upwards of 24 hours with no electricity, in sweltering heat. "Regular civilians had to direct the traffic" we'll say, "and we had to use candles to see and ice cubes to keep our food from rotting." I'm sure they'll roll their eyes and ask if we also had to walk 10 miles barefoot in the snow to get to school, just like in the well-known cliche. But all jokes aside: we managed to get through a difficult situation and learned a valuable lesson in how truly essential and fragile electrical power is. Just because the power is restored doesn't mean we should use it frivolously. Cutting down our energy consumption may prevent rolling blackouts in the future - and save money right here, right now.

Here are some energy savers to keep your home comfortable:

Make sure you turn off all tools, lights, appliances, computers and electrical equipment when not in use. Standby modes can consume up to 2-4% of your power.
Close curtains and blinds to keep the hot sun out during summer.
Use full loads when using your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer.
Install ceiling fans. They're efficient, inexpensive and effective.
Consider using compact fluorescent lamps and a timer for security lighting. When you're not at home, set your air conditioner thermostat at 25 C or in the winter keep it at 21 C and wear a sweater.
Use your microwave to cook where it doesn't count. It reduces heat output and uses less than half the energy of a conventional oven.
Take advantage of cooler temperatures - open windows and use fans before turning on your air conditioner.
Invest in reflective foil insulation, which deflects intense summer heat from ceilings and walls.
If considering replacing an appliance look for the energy efficient star, and do so sooner, as you will save $ on your hydro bill.
Use free sun and wind to dry clothes outdoors.
Clean your furnace filter regularly and keep your furnace properly tuned.
Consider using solar panels as a part of your energy source. When there's no sun, the regular circuit will help in.
A well-maintained unit uses 10-15 percent less energy.

By: Julie Kinnear

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Toronto realtor Julie Kinnear has been helping people sell and buy their homes for the last 13 years. She is known for her added value service and can help you with many tips in regards to improving your household, saving money and recycling. To find out more about her and her team, visit the fabulous website full of neighbourhood specific reviews, interesting stories and many tips - www.juliekinnear.com