General Efficiency Tips
You can save money on your energy bills by following these energy saving practices:
- Plug holes and cracks in walls and windows with caulk.
- If you have a fireplace, close the flue damper when it's not in use. The use of a wood-burning fireplace can actually draw heat out of the home - unless you have glass doors or an insert.
- If you don't have storm or thermal windows, cover the inside of your windows tightly with plastic from a discount or hardware store.
- Caulk or weather-strip around doors and windows to seal out cold air.
- Add draft-sealers around electric switches and outlets.
- Use oil, gas, kerosene or wood-burning stoves only when properly vented to the outdoors.
- Remove window air conditioning units to reduce drafts. If this isn't possible, cover all sides of the unit to minimize leakage.
- Don't forget that computers, fax machines, TV's, DVD's, CD players, cable boxes, home theatre systems also consume energy because of their standby features. Some will continue to consume energy even when turned off if they are plugged in. Consider unplugging when you leave home or go on vacation.
- Activate the ''sleep'' feature on home office equipment (personal computer, fax, printer and scanner), which automatically minimizes power consumption when not in use.
- If you have a pool, remember that it too consumes energy - consider a pool cover to minimize the operation of the circulation pump.
