100 Ways to Save Energy in Your Home

1. Turn off both incandescent and fluorescent lights when they aren't needed, even for a short time.
2. Fluorescent tubes use 60% to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 10 to 20 times longer.
3. Compact fluorescents are designed to fit most standard light fixtures, last 10 times longer, and use 70% less energy.
4. Halogen bulbs (spots or floods) use 50% less energy than incandescent bulbs, last two to four times longer, and are compatible with dimmer switches.
5. Energy efficient incandescent bulbs are the same as "regular" light bulbs, but with slightly less light output. They are available in 34, 52, 90, and 135 watts to replace 40, 60, 100, and 150 watt standard bulbs.
6. Low voltage outdoor lighting used for landscaping is an energy efficient choice.
7. Dimmer switches can replace standard on/off switches. They reduce light level, save energy and extend bulb life. (Do not use with fluorescent lights.)
8. Programmable timers turn selected lights on and off at specified times, and make your house look occupied.
9. Motion sensor lights turn lights on automatically when movement is detected in a certain zone. Useful as security lighting, and to light your way when you come home in the evening.
10. Avoid multiple-light fixtures. Four 25 watt light bulbs give off only two-thirds the light of one 100 watt bulb, yet use the same 100 watts of energy.
11. Avoid long-life incandescent bulbs. They put out up to 30% less light, while using the same amount of energy.
12. Use a reading lamp where you're seated, instead of lighting the whole room.
13. Dust your light bulbs and fixtures. Even a thin layer of dust lowers lighting levels.
14. Walls painted a light colour reflect more light. Less energy is required to brighten the room.
15. Avoid dark-coloured lampshades.
16. Compare "Energuide" labels when purchasing appliances.
17. Set your refrigerator to 3°C (37°F) and your freezer to -18°C (0°F).
18. Vacuum the condenser coils on your refrigerator and freezer every six months.
19. Don't overload your refrigerator.
20. Don't open the refrigerator door more than necessary.
21. Cool leftovers before refrigerating.
22. Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator, rather than the microwave.
23. Locate your refrigerator and freezer away from heat sources.
24. If you're away for more than 10 days, you can empty and clean the refrigerator and freezer compartment, unplug it, and prop doors open.
25. Purchasing an old refrigerator may not be the bargain you hoped for. New refrigerators use up to 40% less then one built in 1972.
26. Replace worn door seals on refrigerators and freezers.
27. Select the best size fridge for your needs; 13 cu. ft. for one or two people; 14 - 17 cu. ft. for three or four people and additional 2 cu. ft. for each extra person.
28. Two refrigerators use a lot more electricity than one larger one. Think about whether you really need that second fridge.
29. Leave cold drinks out in thermos bottles rather than in the refrigerator on hot days.
30. Keep your freezer 2/3 to 3/4 full.
31. Defrost your freezer before ice deposit reaches 1/4 inch.
32. Locate your freezer in a dry, heated area. Fluctuating temperatures will cause it to operate inefficiently, and could damage the compressor.
33. Wait until your dishwasher is full before you wash. Two half loads use twice as much energy as one full load.
34. Use the short cycle on your dishwasher when you have easy to clean dishes.
35. If your dishwasher does not have and energy-saver feature, turn it off at the end of the rinse cycle and open the door to let the dishes air-dry.
36. If used with full loads, dishwashers are actually more efficient than washing by hand.
37. Self-cleaning ranges are more energy efficient than regular models because they have more oven insulation.
38. Use the self-cleaning feature right after cooking, when the oven is already hot.
39. Pre-heat your oven for only 10 minutes, when baking.
40. Pre-heating is not necessary for most roasts and casseroles.
41. Cooking more than one thing at a time in your oven saves energy.
42. Use glass or ceramic cookware in the oven and lower your temperature by 25°F.
43. About 20% of an oven's heat is lost when you open the door. An oven with a window allows you to look in without opening it.
44. Consider using the broiler. It saves energy and requires no pre-heating.
45. Cook two different foods on one stove top element by using a double boiler.
46. Use pots and pans that are the same size as the element to reduce heat loss.
47. Energy efficient pans have flat, clean bottoms and tight fitting lids. Cook with the lid on.
48. Use a thermos, not the stove, for keeping coffee warm.
49. A microwave uses up to 50% less then a conventional electric oven.
50. Since a microwave heats only the food, and not the oven, use it on especially hot summer days.
51. For large quantities of liquids, soups or stews, your stove top element is twice as efficient as a microwave.
52. An electric kettle heats water more efficiently then a stove element or a microwave oven.
53. Electric coffee makers are more energy efficient than a surface element on a stove.
54. Remove mineral deposits from kettles and coffee makers with a commercial cleaner or vinegar.
55. A toaster oven (1500 watts) is less expensive to use then a conventional oven (3200 watts).
56. Electric frying pans use less energy then electric stoves for cooking small amounts of food.
57. Slow cookers are economical for foods that require a long cooking time.
58. 1/4 of your hot water is used for clothes washing. Wash with warm or cold water and always rinse with cold water.
59. Buy a washing machine with water level controls and short wash cycles, and use them.
60. Buy a clothes dryer with and electronic moisture sensor and a cool down (permanent press) cycle.
61. Drying one full load of laundry takes less energy than two small loads.
62. Avoid over-drying.
63. Overloading your washer and dryer make them less energy efficient.
64. Clean the dryer's filter every time between loads.
65. Twice a year, turn off the power at the panel and vacuum lint from the dryer motor, drum and exhaust hose.
66. Use the washer spin cycle twice to save energy when drying clothes.
67. The most energy efficient clothes dryer is a clothesline.
68. Take quick showers, instead of baths. An 8 minute or shorter shower uses less hot water.
69. An energy efficient (low flow) shower head reduces the amount of water needed for a shower by 50% to 75%.
70. Fix leaky taps. One drop per second wastes 800 litres (175 gallons) of hot water per month.
71. Turn your electric water heater's thermostat down to 130°F (or 140°F is you have a dishwasher).
72. Insulate the first 3 to 6 feet of hot water pipe from your water heater with pipe insulation.
73. Wrap your electric water heater with an insulating blanket.
74. Turn off your water heater if you're going to be away for 5 days or more.
75. Install faucet aerators to reduce water flow.
76. All those little drafts in winter can add up to a hole the size of a window. This air leakage accounts for 30% to 40% of your home's heat loss.
77. Weatherstrip around doors and windows and caulk (from the inside). Don't forget your attic hatch.
78. If your basement is unfinished, caulk where the wood frame wall (sill plate) meets the foundation.
79. Install foam switch and plug gaskets.
80. With a stick of incense, check pipe and wire entrances, vents, baseboards, and light fixtures. Caulk where you detect a draft.
81. Put glass doors on your fireplace.
82. The easiest and least expensive area to insulate is your attic. Insulate to R40. (Note: all openings in the attic should be sealed before insulating to protect against moisture damage.)
83. Insulate unfinished basement walls.
84. Insulate upper walls from the inside when renovating or from the outside when siding.
85. Double glaze all windows. If replacing them, consider Low "E" (Argon filled) windows.
86. Set your thermostat at about 20°C (68°F) in winter. For every degree above this, your energy use and heating costs rise about 5%.
87. A programmable setback thermostat automatically lowers house heat at night and turns it up in the morning.
88. Furnace filters should be cleaned or changed once a month during the heating season, and during the air conditioning season if you have central air.
89. The same insulation in your attic that keeps you warm in the winter also keeps you cool in summer. Make sure you add attic vents, so hot air can escape.
90. Shade east, south, and especially west-facing windows in summer by simply closing curtains and blinds. Or install awnings or wooden louvers.
91. Plant deciduous trees to shade your house in summer.
92. In summer, minimize washing and drying clothes, ironing, and cooking during the hottest times of the day.
93. Recommended setting for air conditioning is 24°C (75°F).
94. Purchase an air conditioner with an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of at least 9; it will save you 30 to 6 cents an hour.
95. Wash or replace your air conditioner's filter once a month.
96. Fans and ceiling fans keep you comfortable at a fraction of the cost of air conditioning.
97. Turn your pool filter off on cooler summer nights (and save up to $85.00 on a two-month bill).
98. Keep your water bed covered and the temperature in that room relatively warm.
99. Read and understand your owner's manuals. If your appliances have energy saving settings…use them.
100. Keep all your appliances, furnace, and air conditioning well maintained. If you notice something not operating, call a service person.