energy saving tips

Reduce Summer Cooling

Set your air conditioner to 24 degrees Celcius (75 F) and raise it when you go out, or set your programmable thermostat to do this. For each degree set below 24 degrees Celcius (75F), you use 3% to 5% more energy. This energy saving tip will give you the most comfort at the least cost. Source: Your Guide to the One-Tonne Challenge, by the Government of Canada

Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

The existing light bulb we are used to is technology from over 100 years ago. It is inefficient and produces heat. A common energy saving tip is to use a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL). These bulbs cost more to purchase, they save you money over the life of the bulb. They last much longer than a traditional incandescent bulb, run cooler, and use almost 80% less electricity. Some people object to the colour of the light, so what you need to shop for is “Warm White”, which is much closer to the light of a traditional bulb. Remember to keep the bulbs once they burn out for disposal with hazardous waste such as batteries as they contain mercury (about 20% of the amount found in a watch battery). Check out this 3 minute YouTube video called "CFL Lightbulbs in Plain English"

Eliminate the Power Drain

Many electronic devices use power when they are plugged in and turned off. Use power bars and timers to eliminate power vampires. If you want to understand how much electricity is being used, some libraries in Ontario allow patrons to borrow a Watt Reader, which will show you how much energy is being used.

Turn Off Computer When Not in Use

A computer left on for 24 hours uses the same amount of energy as a 13w Compact Fluorescent light bulb left on for almost 10 days (Desktop with CRT monitor). Most people wouldn’t leave a light on for 10 days, so why does it make sense to not turn off a computer? Some people are concerned that this energy saving tip will wear out the hardware faster, but those are outdated thoughts. In the last decade, computer hardware has evolved and will not be adversely affected by turning the machine on and off. For additional energy savings, plug in all your computer devices to a power bar and turn off the power bar after the computer is shut down. These devices use electricity when plugged in and turned off