Energy Efficiency; 21 no cost ways to save on electricity

Thursday, Nov 05, 2015

I went through a trainin session a few days ago on what is available for us here in the Cowichan Valley can do to help home buyers and sellers do to take advantage of programs to make their homes more energy efficient. So I would like to put some of the informatioon on my website to help share what I learned to everyone I can. I will start with what BC Hydro has put on their website and I hope they don't mind if I share it out too!

21 Tips: No-Cost Ways To Save Electricity

21 small changes can add up to big savings on your bills

The best way to start saving on your electricity costs is to get smart with how you use electricity. Make these 21 no-cost changes in your home in the next 21 days and you could save $500 or more a year, depending on a number of factors including the size of your home.

Now's the time to also join Team Power Smart and start a Reduction Challenge. If you can deliver on most of the 21 changes below, you could reduce your electricity use by 10% over the year and earn a $50 reward.

1. Turn off unnecessary lights

Two 100-watt incandescent bulbs switched off for an average of two hours per day could save you $12 over a year.

Save $12

Image of bright sunlight shining into empty office space

2. Use natural light

A single south-facing window can illuminate 20 to 100 times its area. Even if it means turning off one 60-watt bulb for four hours a day, that’s a $9 saving over a year.

Save $9

3. Use task lighting

Turn off ceiling lights and use table lamps, track lighting and under-counter lights in work and hobby areas as well as in kitchens.

Save $6

4. Take shorter showers

Hot water is expensive. If two people in your home cut their shower time by a minute each, you could save $30 over a year.

Save $30

5. Turn water off when shaving, washing hands, brushing teeth

Stop wasting hot water in your daily routine and cut your hot water usage down by up to 5%, saving another $21 (based on use of an electric hot water heater).

Save $21

Woman installing tap aerator on the kitchen sink faucet

5. Fix that leaky faucet

Fixing a hot water leak in your faucet can save up to $33 per year in energy costs. Learn how to fix that leak.

Save $33

Tankless hot water heating thermostat with hand

6. Adjust your hot water heater

The hot water temperature in many homes is too hot. Turning down your water heater thermostat (no lower than 55ºC and no higher than 60ºC) can pay off in savings of up to 5% for every 6ºC.

Save $21

7. Unplug unused electronics

Standby power can account for 10% of an average household's annual electricity use. Unplug chargers, TVs, audio and video equipment to cut standby electricity use and you could save $50 over a year.

Save $50

8. Ditch the desktop computer

If you’re still using that old desktop, recycle it and switch to your laptop. Even at an average of two hours per day, your laptop will save you $11 in energy use over a year.

Save $11

9. Not recording? Unplug the PVR

If you have a non-ENERGY STAR PVR and you haven’t scheduled any recordings, turn it off when you’re on vacation or away for the weekend. Do that for a combined two months a year and you’ll save about $4.

Save $4

10. Recycle or donate that old TV

Perhaps when you got that 50-inch LED TV you moved the old one into your bedroom or basement. Recycle or donate it, even if you're just using it an hour a day, that 42-inch LCD is costing you eight bucks a year.

Save $8

11. Manage your thermostat

If you have electric heat, lower your thermostat by two degrees to save 5% on your heating bill. Lower it by five degrees while you sleep, and you could save another 10 per cent.

Save $72

12. Be strategic with windows, window coverings

Promote airflow through your home and block the afternoon sun. Even if you’re only cooling your house three months a year, you could save you up to $10 (2 fans) or $45 (1 window unit AC) over those three months.

Save $45

13. Reduce heat in the kitchen

Avoid using the oven or stovetop in summer – try salads, smoothies or the barbecue on the hottest days. You'll reduce the heat in your home and be more comfortable, and save on your home cooling costs, too.

Save $5

Young girl carrying the dirty clothes to the laundry room

14. Run full loads

Cut one load of wash per week, even if you’re already using cold water only, and you could save $30 a year on your laundry costs.

Save $30

Woman doing laundry using an energy efficient washer dryer

15. Wash laundry in cold

By switching from hot to cold water for an average of three loads per week, you could save up to $27 per year on your energy bill.

Save $27

16. Hang dry your laundry

If you do eight loads of laundry a week and use your clothesline for 50% of those clothes, you could save $47 a year.

Save $47

17. Toss a towel in the dryer

A dry towel added to your dryer load can significantly reduce drying times. If you’re doing seven loads a week, cutting drying time by 10% could save you $27 a year.

Save $27

18. Be efficient with refrigeration

Keep the freezer department full, and defrost it regularly. Unplug and clean your fridge’s coils twice a year, and set temperatures between 2°C and 3°C (fridge) and -18°C (freezer). It all adds up and could save you $25 a year.

Save $25

19. Unplug your second fridge

Unplug that second fridge and save up to $90 a year. Need to keep drinks or snacks cold for a party? Freeze plastic jugs of water – remember, a full freezer is more efficient than a near-empty one – and use them in a cooler when you need them.

Save $90

20. Skip the heat-dry setting for the dishwasher

That heat-dry setting is expensive. De-select it and, based on one load of dishes a day, save up to $37 for the year.

Save $37

21. Use the microwave, crock pot or toaster oven

A microwave takes 15 minutes to do the same job as an hour of cooking in an electric oven. Using a microwave instead of your oven four times a week could save you more than $20 per year on your electricity bill.

Save $20

BC Hydro offers information on how to take advantage of using electricity smartly around your home https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential.html