REDUCING ENERGY COSTS DURING THE DEEP FREEZE
The winter season can be prime time for sky-high energy bills. As pointed out by Dave Walton, Director of Home Ideas for Direct Energy, “the furnace is the heart of the home and determines whether heating bills will be high or low.” And with frigid temperatures hitting parts of Canada this winter, consumers will be looking for ways to warm up while keeping energy costs down.
Direct Energy has several suggestions on how to keep electrical and natural gas costs down when the thermometer drops, helping to save money on heating bills while being mindful of the environment.
The following are some energy saving tips from Direct Energy:
- Turn the thermostat down and layer up: Turning down the temperature on your thermostat and throwing on an extra sweater at home will save money on your heating bill and help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases
- Control your heat: More Canadians are conserving energy in the home by installing a programmable thermostat lowering the temperature during the night and while the family is out during the day could save another 10 per cent on heating bills.
- If you don’t use it, don’t heat it. Make sure you’re not heating uninsulated spaces like garages and crawl spaces. Also, keep your garage door closed as much as possible, and close doors and warm-air registers in rooms you don’t use. This will keep the warm air in and the heating bills down.
- Poorly fitted windows are going to cost you: Up to 30 per cent of the heating in your home can be lost through poorly fitted windows and doors. Seal all leaks with caulking and weather stripping - caulking one window that’s over 10 years old can save 5-10 per cent in heating costs and is more energy efficient. Also, add clear plastic sheeting to windows to cut down on drafts.
- Clean your furnace filters: Clean or replace your furnace’s filter every 2–3 months and save as much as 10 per cent on your heating bill. Having trouble remembering? A good rule of thumb is to clean or change your filter each time you pay your bill.
For more tips on how to reduce energy costs this winter, click here.
