Helpful Tips

During the day, keep your curtains open to draw in sunlight. Solar energy can help naturally warm your home and it’s free!


Be sure to unplug electronic items not in use. Things like computers, TVs, and cell phone chargers continue to consume small amounts of electricity unless they are unplugged. Try plugging these items into a power bar with a switch or timer, so you can easily turn them off when they are not needed.


If you have forced air heating in your home, give your furnace a break by having ducts cleaned regularly and checked for leaks. Leaky air ducts can cause distribution losses of up to 30 per cent.


Use electric kettles to boil water which consume half the energy needed to boil water on the stove.


Use weatherstrip around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and air conditioners. Reducing drafts can save up to 30 per cent a year on heating costs. Also put plastic up to bedroom windows, keeping the cold out and the heat in.


Take advantage of lower energy prices during off-peak hours. Run your dishwasher, washer and dryer early in the morning, in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are lowest.


Put on an extra layer of clothing, if you get cold, rather than turning up the thermostat, to reduce energy output and costs.


You can also control the intensity of your incandescent bulbs with dimmer switches to save money. A bulb dimmed by 25 per cent uses 10 per cent less energy.


Plan ahead when driving by combining trips and errands to reduce cost on gas and emissions in our environment.


Consider a home energy audit to find out how energy efficient your home is and the best way to spend your home-improvement dollars.