To avoid peak winter bills, sign up for the Equalized Payment Plan to spread your annual natural gas costs into equal monthly payments.
When upgrading appliances look for the ENERGY STAR® certification. These products have higher energy efficiency levels and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Furnace and Thermostat
A furnace that works at peak efficiency will use less energy and cost less to operate. Keep your furnace clean, lubricated and adjusted with annual maintenance.
Every 1 to 2 months, clean or replace your furnace filter. A dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to run longer to heat your home.
Consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR® certified furnace. An average home can save up to 50% in natural gas and electricity costs annually when upgrading from a standard furnace to a 97% efficiency furnace with a variable speed motor.
Lower your thermostat by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius while you're sleeping at night and when no one is at home.
Install a smart or programmable thermostat. You can save 2% on your heating bill for every 1 degree you turn down your thermostat.
Water Use
Did you know that 85% to 90% of the energy used to wash your clothes is to heat the water? Switch to cold when doing your laundry and wash full loads.
Choose a front-loading washing machine. A front-loading washing machine uses about 40% less water and about 50% less energy.
Install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
Always wash a full load in your dishwasher and air-dry your dishes on the ‘energy saver’ setting.
ENERGY STAR® certified dishwashers use about a quarter of the energy used than washing dishes by hand and can save more than 26,000 litres of water a year.
Water heaters 10 years or older are prone to leaks and rusty water. When it is time to upgrade, consider investing in a new ENERGY STAR® certified condensing or tankless condensing water heater.
Insulate water pipes to reduce heat loss (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
Ask your local Network Member about installing a heat trap to prevent heated water from flowing out of the water heater tank.
Weather Proofing
Weather stripping helps seal doors and windows and reduces your home's energy use. Apply weather stripping to windows, exterior doors, garage doors and attic doors.
Identify leaks around windows, electrical outlets, vents and exterior doors. You can feel for leaks on a windy day or use incense sticks to locate them. Spider webs are also a sign that you have a draft.
Use plastic window covers to help prevent heat loss.
Have a wood fireplace? Close the damper to prevent warm air from escaping through the chimney and ensure the damper fits.
Insulation
Tighten the building envelope and keep the heat in by adding wall and attic insulation. Even if you have attic insulation, adding an extra layer and increasing the R-value can improve the overall energy efficiency of your home.
Add insulation to basement walls. An uninsulated basement can account for 20% of your home's heat loss.
Vents
To prevent interference with the flow of heat through your home, keep air grilles and heating vents clear of furniture, rugs and drapes.
Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents that go through walls, ceilings and floors from heated to unheated spaces.
