Energy Information

Winter Tips

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1. The warmth from radiators can be increased by installing radiator foils to the wall behind each unit to deflect heat into a room. Foils are inexpensive to purchase at most hardware stores.
   
   
2. Leave those child-proof plugs in electrical sockets to cut down on heat loss.
   
   
3. Adequate, evenly thick insulation in the attic, walls and ceilings will help to keep the heat in all winter. Ten to twelve inches in the attic would meet today's Building Code standards. Foam insulation may be easier to apply around wall sockets, windows, vents and other hard-to-reach places.
   
   
4. Avoid blocking heating vents with furniture or window coverings.
   
   
5. Install ceiling fans, particularly in rooms with high ceilings. By running the fan in reverse, rising warm air will be circulated back down to the living areas of a room.
   
   
6. Replace cracked or flattened weatherstripping around your doors and windows to ensure an air seal is created that keeps cool air out and warm air in in winter.
   
   
7. Have your furnace inspected regularly. Keeping furnace filters and floor/wall vents clean will help the fan that circulates warm air throughout your home to run more efficiently. Electric furnace fans in forced air heating systems use about 13% of a home's electricity usage. It is recommended that furnace filters be changed every two months or sooner if you have pets.
   
   
8. Adjust your programmable thermostat and set the temperature lower to 18 degrees C when you are away. Program the system to warm the house shortly before you return. While you're at home, an efficient thermostat setting is: 20 to 21 degrees C.
   
   
9. Open your window coverings during the day to use the sun to help to warm rooms. At night, pull them closed to avoid the warmer air from the house escaping through your windows.
   
   
10. If you're replacing your furnace, consider the amount of insulation and sealing that you have in your attic and walls. This may reduce the size of furnace you need. Choosing the right size of furnace will be more effective than buying one that's too big for your size of house - and you'll save money with a smaller unit.
    
    
11. Keep light bulbs clean. Dirt can absorb as much as 50 per cent of the light given off.
    
    
12. Add plastic film over your single-pane windows to reduce heat loss by 25 to 50 per cent. The film is applied with a hairdryer to trap air and effectively insulate the window area.

To help you learn specifically how you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and what improvements do make a difference, call 416-203-3106 for an appointment in your home with a Green$aver advisor.

By doing each of these, you save on your energy bill and carbon dioxide emissions from your home are reduced, helping to make our community a healthier place!

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