In August, Power Down

It’s August. This month, Living Green Barrie’s 12 Actions for Climate focuses on conserving energy.

The David Suzuki Foundation says that “the most important thing you can do to make your home more climate-friendly is to get fossil fuels out of it. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we need to swap those for clean electricity.”

1. Improve insulation and sealing.

Windows and doors can account for up to 25 per cent of total home heat loss. If they aren’t properly sealed, warm air can escape and cool air can enter. Repair improperly sealed windows with caulking and weatherstripping or by fixing hardware like latches and locks. The same applies to doors — if they don’t fit snugly, consider caulking, weatherstripping or replacing the doors and/or frames.

2. Get a smart thermostat.

A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi enabled device that automatically adjusts temperature settings. Many can detect whether people are in the house, either via motion sensors or by checking smartphone location. When the house is empty, it switches to energy-saving mode until you return. This can save you at least eight per cent in energy use.

3. Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

Replacing old appliances like a clothes washer with energy-efficient models can save 25% energy and use 33% less water than a standard model. Energy-efficient ceiling fans use 60% less energy than standard models. An induction stove is far more energy efficient than a traditional electric or gas stove. It transfers heat to your food with 85% efficiency, compared to 32% for a gas stove.

4. Wash laundry in cold water and hang to dry.

Most laundry washing energy consumption comes from heating the water, so wash in cold. Dryers are notoriously energy inefficient. The older your model, the longer it may take to dry your stuff, increasing the amount of energy used. Air dry whenever possible. If you must use the dryer, keep the lint screen and dryer duct clean, and toss in a few wool dryer balls to help agitate heavier items. Consider upgrading to a heat pump dryer which can reduce your energy use by at least 28% compared to a standard dryer.

5. Swap incandescent lightbulbs for LEDs.

Swap your incandescent lightbulbs for energy-efficient light-emitting diode bulbs that create a lot of light using little energy. LEDs are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last at least 15 times longer. Look for the lumens value to determine the brightness of a bulb—the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.

6. Unplug rarely used devices.

Unplug computers, TVs and other electronics when you’re not using them. And before you go away on vacation, unplug all the devices you can.

Kitchen

• Use the microwave to reheat food; it’s the most energy-efficient.
• After meals, scrape the dishes, don’t rinse: let the dishwasher do the rest; Use the air-dry feature; use the dishwasher setting with the best cleaning function in the shortest amount of time.
• For the fridge, allow air to flow: don’t overfill your fridge; keep the fridge away from heat sources (vent, oven, sunlight, etc.).
• For kitchen faucets, install an aerator with a low flow rate.

Bathroom

• Install a water-saving shower head that uses less hot water. Look for one with a low flow rate. Take a shower instead of a bath to save on hot water costs.
• Use a low-flow toilet.
• Install a timer on the fans.
• Buy a faucet aerator to use less hot water and choose an aerator with a low flow rate

Living room

• Buy energy-efficient TVs, phones, audio and video products, and lighting fixtures like pot lights. These use up to 90% less energy than traditional models with incandescent bulbs.
• Use LED bulbs. They last 15 times longer than incandescent ones.
• Use a smart power strip to turn off the power to devices not in use.

Dining room

• Choose energy efficient light fixtures. 
• Use awnings, blinds or drapes to keep direct sunshine from overheating the room in the summer.
• Use compatible dimmer switches with energy efficient bulbs to reduce light use.
• On thermostats, set higher temperatures in summer and lower temperatures in winter.

Office

• Enable low power settings on your computer to save energy and help your battery last longer. 
• Use a smart power strip to reduce energy waste when equipment is on standby or off.
• Seal areas of air leakage around all window and door casings, mouldings, and baseboards to stop cool air from escaping in summer and warm air from escaping in winter

Bedrooms

• Install triple-glazed windows with a high insulation rating especially in walls that receive little direct sunlight.
• Use energy efficient computers, monitors, and TVs to stream movies.
• Use energy efficient ceiling fans to use 60% less energy. Set the ceiling fan to run counter-clockwise in summer for maximum comfort.
• Choose energy efficient windows. They are up to 55% more energy-efficient than standard windows.
• Install foam insulation gaskets behind electrical outlet faceplates on exterior walls. 
• Keep air flowing by not obstructing vents or return air grills with furniture.
• Seal cracks and openings around penetrations (vents, pipes, etc.) in the walls, ceilings or floors to prevent air from escaping into the walls and roof.

Laundry room

• Washer: an energy efficient washer saves 25% more energy and uses 33% less water than a standard model. Choose high-speed or extended spin. Wash with warm or cold water and pre-soak stained clothes.
• Dryer: an energy efficient dryer saves 20% more energy. Clean the lint trap after every load. Use the sensor dryer setting. Don’t overfill the dryer. Air dry delicate clothing.

Hallway

• Choose an energy-efficient door.
• Install a smart thermostat.
• Apply weatherstripping around older exterior doors.
• Turn off lights when they are not in use.

If you want to make bigger investments in home energy conservation, here are some options:

• Energy audit: get a professional audit to pinpoint major energy losses.
• Windows and doors: replace old, single-pane windows.
• HVAC: Upgrade to energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.
• Renewables: Explore solar panels and battery storage. 

Outdoors

• Weatherstrip doors to keep cooled or warmed air inside.
• Use awnings or deciduous trees to help keep direct sunlight from overheating your home in the summer and to allow the sunlight to help warm your house in the winter.
• Seal the joints of window casings with flexible caulking if you suspect air is leaking.
• Upgrading the insulation and air seal your home are among the most cost-effective home improvements.

• Look into an air source heat pump (ASHP).
• Look into installing a solar energy system. It is a safe, reliable, low-maintenance source of electricity that helps reduce your electrical costs and produces no pollution or emissions.

Garage

• Install a motion sensor to turn off the lights to use less energy.
• Walk, bike or take public transit to work to save costs.
• Drive in a fuel-efficient manner to save fuel and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Buy the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs.