10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Energy Bill This Winter

Finding ways to cut your electricity bill doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s the simple choices we make that can have a biggest impact.

So, try these 10 small things before the snow flies again:

Tip #1: Crank Down.
In winter, turn your thermostat down by two degrees and wear a sweater. It will save you $180 per year on your energy bill (and just think of the huge energy saving around the province if everyone did this).

Tip #2: Fill Up.
Ensure the dishwasher is full before you turn it on. Dishwashers are more energy and water efficient when full. Researchers have also found the machines consistently do a better job—with less water—than hand-washing.

Tip # 3: Morning Retreat.
A low-flow shower head requires less water and, by extension, needs less heat to warm the water. You can also insulate your water tank and set the thermostat two degrees lower to save energy. The range should be from 60 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius. If you have a set thermostat, this range is midway between “warm normal” or “low medium”. We assure you, you’ll never notice the difference!

Tip # 4: A Cooler Cool.
Simply cleaning the condenser coil on your refrigerator can improve its efficiency. And the next time you’re replacing a refrigerator, look for an ENERGY STAR model, which typically has a more energy-efficient compressor, better insulation and temperature controls that offers energy savings that conventional models can’t.

Tip #5: Clean Heat.
Cleaning your furnace filter every two months can increase its efficiency by 50 percent.

Tip #6: Time it right.
Install a timer on your water heater and furnace to turn it off at night and back on just before you wake up in the morning. Few people realize that waiting to do electricity-heavy activities (such as laundry or showering) before 7 am and after 10 pm can hugely reduce your energy requirements and costs. (In fact, some provinces now raise electricity rates in the daytime (prime time), making it smarter than ever to wait until it’s late to run your appliances.)

Tip #7: Be Caulk-y.
Before you feel the full force of winter, weatherproof your home. Make sure you have enough insulation, get double-pane windows and caulk any cracks. You’ll get rid of those uncomfortable drafts and save money that was flowing out of your home with the heat.

Tip #8: Vampires Beware.
Unplug home electronics when you’re not using them. Most of them have features that make them easier to use—instant-on TVs, for instance—that also suck up electricity, even when they’re not in use to the tune. This can amount to $75 in energy costs per year. Be sure to turn off your computer, too.

Tip # 9: Dry Smart.
Dry two or more loads of laundry in a row to take advantage of an already warm dryer. Remove clothes from the dryer when they’re still warm to prevent wrinkling. And clean the lint filter before every load. A clogged filter can increase energy use by up to 30 percent and also present a safety hazard.

Tip # 10: Light solutions.
Replace your home’s incandescent light bulbs with CFL (http://greenlivingonline.com/article/how-recycle-your-cfls) or LED bulbs. You’ll save energy with the lower wattage it takes to power the bulb but also from reduced cooling costs—incandescent bulbs give off 90 percent of their energy as heat.

We found this information HERE.

Cold Weather Tips

I think we can all agree that ITS FREEZING OUTSIDE!

With that in mind, it is important for homeowners to know a few tricks to dealing with cold weather in order to keep your pipes from freezing.

1. Keep open cabinet doors leading to exposed pipes (such as access doors for sinks), so that household air can warm them. The natural flow of warmer air will help combat many problems.

2. If you have an attached garage, keep its doors shut. Occasionally, plumbing is routed through this unheated space, leaving it vulnerable to winter's worst.

3. Crack a faucet farthest from the place where your water enters the house. A very slow drip will keep water molecules moving, reducing the chance that pipes will freeze. Place a bucket underneath the faucet so the water can be saved for other household uses.

4. Keep your thermostat set above 65 degrees when leaving your house or business for several days.

5. Insulate pipes that may be vulnerable to the cold or have caused problems before. Pipes close to exterior walls or in unheated basements or crawlspaces can be wrapped with pieces of insulation. Don't overlook pipes near windows, which can quickly freeze. For particularly difficult pipes, consult a professional on how to select and apply heat tape.

6. Know the location of your water shut-off switch and test it regularly. If a pipe breaks, you won't want to have to find it then or, worse, wait for someone to arrive at your place to find it for you. In most single-family homes, the shut-off valve is in the basement or the crawlspace, on a wall facing the street.

7. If you didn’t get your sprinkler system off and drained this year, make sure to check for leaks when you turn on the system next spring.


If you think a pipe has already frozen, do the following:

1. Don't wait for nature to take its course: Thaw the pipe as soon as possible or call a plumber for help.

2. If you do it yourself, shut off the water or test the shut-off valve. You don't want water suddenly gushing from the pipe when it thaws.
Remember: When thawing things, slower is better.

3. A hair dryer trained at the frozen area of the pipe is appropriate. A blow torch is not. Pipes warmed too fast may break anyway.


Certain steps, taken early, can help prevent pipe breaks when the mercury dips:

1. Know the location of your water shut-off valve and test it regularly. If a pipe breaks, you won't want to have to find it then or, worse, wait for someone to arrive at your place to find it for you. In most single-family homes, the shut-off valve is in the basement or the crawlspace, on a wall facing the street.

2. Turn off and drain automatic and manual sprinkler systems before first freeze. You'll thank yourself in the spring. The alternate freezing and thawing of water in the system can create cracks and weak spots, triggering silent underground leaks or mini-geysers.

3. Turn off outdoor faucets and be sure to disconnect hoses from them. Make sure the faucet and the outside portion of the pipes are fully drained. A valve inside many houses will shut off the water's flow; then open and close the tap outside to release any water in the pipe. Disconnect the hose to assure that freeze-proof faucets will drain and to avoid damage to the hose from freezing water.

4. Winterize unheated or vacant buildings. Significant property damage and water loss can occur before burst pipes are discovered in vacant buildings. If your vacant building has a fire protection system, make sure there is no danger that the water servicing this system might freeze.

5. Insulate water pipes that may be vulnerable to the cold or have caused problems before. Pipes close to exterior walls or in unheated basements can be wrapped with pieces of insulation. Don't overlook pipes near windows, which can quickly freeze. For particularly difficult pipes, consult a professional on how to select and apply heat tape.

this information was taken from HERE

HouseLogic

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