Power Conservation Tips

Power Conservation Tips

We’ve put together a list of energy saving tips. Many of these came from Hydro One. We hope you will find these informative and use them to discover ways to save both money and resources in your home!

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HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES:

When purchasing appliances, consider both price and operating cost. Look for the ENERGUIDE label. The lower the kWh displayed, the less electricity the appliance will use.
It’s also important to choose the right size appliance for your household. One that is too large will waste energy, while one that is too small will be overworked.
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FREEZERS:

For better performance, the temperature of your freezer should be -18° C (0° F) It works best when it is full. If there is not enough food to fill your freezer try putting in heavy plastic bags full of water.
It is best to keep your freezer in a dry, heated and insulated area. Temperature fluctuations caused by keeping the unit in an unheated area (such as a garage) can damage the compressor.
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REFRIGERATORS:

For best performance the temperature in your fridge should be kept between 2° C and 5° C (36° to 41° F), and the freezer compartment should be kept at -18° C (0° F). If possible place the refrigerator away from direct sunlight or other heat sources such as a stove or dishwasher.
Every few months, clean the coils on the back of the unit with the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner.
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ELECTRIC RANGES:

Preheating your oven is not always necessary unless you are baking. But be aware that it only takes 10 minutes to reach 180° C (350°F).
Also remember that microwave ovens, toaster ovens and slow cookers are more energy-efficient options for many types of cooking.
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MICROWAVE OVENS:

Using a microwave whenever possible will save money as they consume up to 50% less energy than a conventional electric oven. However, they are only half as efficient as a stovetop element, so it is better to boil large quantities of water on the stove. Of course, your electric kettle is the most efficient way to boil water for a cup of tea!
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DISHWASHERS:

Your dishwasher works best when it is full but not overloaded. Wait for a full load… two small loads use twice as much energy! If your machine does not have an energy saver feature, turn the dishwasher off at the end of the wash cycle and open the door to let the dishes air dry.
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CLOTHES WASHERS:

To save on hot water use, wait until you have a full load and when possible wash in warm or cold water with a cold rinse. Use the small load setting for light loads.
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CLOTHES DRYERS:

Do not overload your dryer but remember that drying a full load will take less energy than drying two small loads. Use a dryer setting that will not over-dry clothes. Over-drying wastes energy and is not good for your clothes! Also, when possible, do several loads of wash in the same day. The dryer will work better when it is already warm!
If you have space outdoors, consider drying your clothes on an outdoor line. In unfavourable weather try setting up an indoor clothes drying area in a spare room or basement. You will save a lot on your energy bill, and your clothes will last longer too! (Line-dried sheets smell wonderful, too!)
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SMALL APPLIANCES:

These can be great energy savers, Use these small appliances instead of your stove whenever possible:
/ Toaster ovens use less energy than electric stoves and are ideal for cooking small quantities of food.
/ Electric frying pans use less energy than electric stoves when cooking small amounts of food.
/ Slow cookers are great for foods that require long cooking times. They use less electricity and can make less tender cuts of meat delicious.
/ Using an electric coffee maker is more energy efficient than making your coffee on your electric stove.
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LIGHTING:

You can save energy by lowering the level of lighting with a dimmer switch, when this is practical. You can also turn off lights when not needed.
Dust-free bulbs and fixtures are more energy efficient than dirty ones! Even a thin layer of dust can lower lighting levels.
Sometimes people use a high wattage bulb where a lower wattage bulb would suffice. Consider using a lower wattage bulb in areas where a b light source is not required. Why not look for the new energy saving bulbs that come in slightly lower wattages: 32, 52 and 90W, which replace the 40, 60 and 100W bulbs. You’ll save energy and won’t mind the slight difference in light output
The new compact fluorescent bulbs use up to 70% less energy. The old-style long fluorescent tubes have been compacted to fit into many standard sized lighting fixtures. Some of the new bulbs come with special adapters, while others have adapters already built in. they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and provide the same light as higher wattage incandescent bulbs but use just a fraction of the energy. For example, a 15W fluorescent bulb provides the same amount light as a 60W incandescent bulb at one quarter the energy cost!
Though they cost more to buy, they will give you about 5 to 9 years of heavy use and over that life span more than pay for themselves in energy dollars saved. During that time you would have used about 10 incandescent bulbs.
The new fluorescent bulbs are generally larger in size. If you are replacing an incandescent bulb with a fluorescent, check to see that your fixture has enough clearance.
Halogen bulbs are efficient too. They produce a whiter light and last two to four times longer than standard incandescents. Most are spot or flood types. While they are initially more expensive to buy they use 40% less energy because of their quartz crystal and halogen gas components.
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HOME HEATING:

Investigate ways to save energy in your home heating. Start by finding out what kind of thermostat you have: line voltage, low-voltage or electronic. If your home has baseboard electric heaters or other unitary systems, you should have a low voltage or electronic thermostats in the main living areas. If line voltage thermostats are already installed, consider upgrading them to electronic units at least in these main areas.
If it’s practical, use a timed programmable thermostat to raise and lower the temperature of your house during the times of the day when you require less heat: for example, lower the heat to 16°C (61° F) during the day when no-one is at home and set the timer to raise the temperature to 21° C (70° F) a half hour or so before the family returns from work and school. Also, keep the heat at about 18° C (64° F) overnight and put an extra blanket on the bed to save energy!
When considering your home heating and cooling needs, make sure you consider all the options. Alternative fuels and alternative heating and cooling systems may be available to you. Consider costs of alternative fuels and fuel delivery, plus the cost of converting your equipment. Be sure to get all the facts to make the best choice.
Some sources of information are fuel suppliers, Ontario Ministry of Energy, Festival Hydro, and Hydro One.