4 Tips to Become an Energy Efficient Super Saver

As the days become noticeably shorter; you may see your electricity bill begin to go up. Yes, it is good to turn off lights when you are not home, but there are many more ways to reduce your electricity bill beyond light switches.

Take an inventory

Do you know how many electrical outlets are in your home? Consider doing a home inventory of your electrical outlets, and what appliances, lights and chargers are plugged into each one. Electricity is being transmitted to devices even when they are turned off. It is only by unplugging them that you will truly see the savings. Microwaves with clocks, alarm clocks, computers that are constantly on, video game consoles on sleep mode and baby monitors left on are all energy suckers. You can control you and your family’s electricity usage. A simple solution is to use power bars that have an on and off switch. Set a reminder in your phone to go off each night before bed to remind you to walk around and shut off the power bars. Standby power is no longer your enemy and your savings have begun!

Appliances

Do you use your oven every single night? Try and cook larger meals that will last for 2 or 3 days instead of using all your appliances every night. Use the microwave to heat food instead of the oven. Similarly, washing larger loads of laundry will reduce your energy usage and costs. Furthermore, try and cook and do washing later in the evening when electricity prices are lower and the temperature is cooler. Using a hot oven for hours in the day may tempt you to turn up your air conditioning, therefore cooking at night makes sense. If you have purchased energy efficient Energy Star certified appliances, it is necessary to ensure they are well-maintained for max efficiency.

Weather

Although Canadians may be friendly, Canada will become a cold country soon. The weather is very unpredictable and it can get cold at night all year round. Proper insulation around your windows will cut your heating costs and keep your home evenly temperate. Sometimes condominium hallways are colder than your suite, and that air can easily sweep inside your suite causing a continuous cold blast. A draft stopper is a quick and stylish solution to prevent cold air coming into your suite. Take a look at some of the draft stoppers available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KhteHM. Draft stoppers can be used at the base of your door or windows. Another do-it-yourself window fix is to make a plastic cover. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you insulate correctly. The cost of the materials is minimal and you are sure to save more than that amount on your winter bills.

Fall Cleaning

You have probably heard of spring cleaning, but fall cleaning is just as important. Focus on cleaning the vents, radiators or baseboard heat vents in your home. Summer dust collects easily in these hidden places and can create obstacles when your heat is turned on. This will ensure the air can flow freely into all rooms and promotes equal heat radiation. Check the placement of your furniture and rugs too. If your vents are blocked by couches or beds you are not going to get the full benefit of the warm air. Additionally, remember to shut the doors in your home. There is no point heating a room if you are not going to be in it for a long time. When you are inside a room, it is still beneficial to shut the door; it can increase the room’s temperature by keeping in your body heat in and the heat produced by lights or other electronics such as your computer.

There are many ways to save on electricity bills as we approach the fall season. Focus on changing your daily habits to accommodate energy saving behaviours. Soon you will be an expert in saving energy and saving money.