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Tips

 

Tips

For more tips download our tips booklet or brochure.

 

Looking for simple ways to save energy?

There are many things you can do yourself to improve the efficiency of your home. Some cost nothing. Others cost very little. All of them will save you energy and money.

Efficiency Nova Scotia also does its bit. We have money-saving programs for homes and businesses.

 
 Power Bars

  • Save $50 to $100 a year by installing power bars - making it easy to turn off multiple electronics and appliances. 
     

Electronics

  • Save up to $100 a year by turning off appliances, electronics and lights when you leave a room.  

 

Cold Water

  • Washing your clothes in cold water can save you up to $100 a year. 

 

Refrigerators

  • Unpluging your second fridge can save you up to $180 a year.
  • Also remember that cleaning refrigerator coils regularly can improve performance by up to 25%. 
  • Your fridge will also run more efficiently if placed away from your stove, dishwasher, heat vents and out of direct sunlight. Also, check that airflow around it is not blocked. 

 CFLs

  • Switch to CFLs indoors and outdoors and save up to $50 per bulb.
  • ENERGY STAR® CFLs use up to 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last 8-10 times longer.

Programmable Thermostats

  • Save up to $100 a year and turn your thermostat down by 5ºC when you go to bed or leave the house.
    Better yet, install programmable thermostats that will do it for you. 

Computers

  • Keep computers in standby or energy-saving modes if kept on.
    Better yet, turn them off completely. Power bars make this easy to do - they even make power bars now with timers. 

Water

  • If you have an electric water heater, use a low-cost, easily installed wrap on the tank.
  • Install pre-slit pipe insulation on hot water pipes and the first 6 feet from your tank of your cold water pipes. Tape the seams to prevent slippage and condensation.
  • Install a low-flow shower head to reduce hot water use by up to 30%. 

Heating

  • When heating, turning the temperature down by 1°C can reduce energy consumption by 1 to 3%.
  • Reversible ceiling fans push hot air down in winter and ventilate in summer by pulling hot air up. They’re especially effective in rooms with high ceilings.
  • Changing furnace filters about every 3 months can improve performance by up to 10%. 

Draft proofing

  • If replacing your doors or windows, look for ENERGY STAR® products. It costs a little more initially, but reduces heating and cooling costs over time.
  • Caulk small cracks around windows and doors. Most hardware stores carry a variety of colours and materials. Latex caulking can be painted.
  • Weather-strip around doors and windows. Kits are available at most hardware stores. Spray foam insulation can easily fill larger, awkwardly shaped gaps.
  • Caulk around plumbing. The holes can let in drafts. Use silicone caulking for areas with high moisture. 

Gardens

  • Plant trees. They provide cooling shade in the summer and shelter from cold winter winds.
    Your local garden centre can help you make good choices for your site.