15 Great Energy Saving Tips!

Here are 15 tips to help you save energy, save money and do  your part for the environment.

Try these easy, low-cost or no-cost energy saving tips:

Furnace
		1) Keep your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted with annual maintenance. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency it will use less energy and cost less to operate.
		2) Clean or replace the filter every 1-2 months - a dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to run longer to heat your home. 3) Consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR® high efficiency furnace. An average home can save up to $509 in natural gas and electrical costs annually when upgrading from a standard 60% efficiency natural gas furnace to a 95% efficiency furnace with a high efficiency variable speed motor. House Smart Home Improvements claims that they can install a 96% efficiency furnace, and it comes with a 10 year parts and labor warranty as well. After government grants, you can have this installed for $2695. Contact House Smart Home Improvements for details: 604-585-2020  To stay on top of all of House Smart Home Improvement deals, LIKE their page on Facebook.           Thermostat 4) Lower your thermostat by 4 - 5 degrees Celsius (7 - 9 degrees Fahrenheit) while you're sleeping at night and when no one is at home. 5) Install a programmable thermostat. You can save 2% on your heating bill for every 1 degree C you turn down your thermostat. With a programmable thermostat to consistently lower your heat when you don’t need it, you could save up to $54 a year! House Smart Home Improvements installs these for you: 604-585-2020             Laundry 6) Switch to cold when doing your laundry. 85 – 90% of the energy used to wash your clothes is used to heat the water. By turning the dial to cold on your washing machine, you help the environment, save energy, and save money. 7) Wash full loads. 8) Choose a front loading washing machine. Not only does a front loading washing machine save water, it saves energy as well. It uses about 40% less water and about 50% less energy.     Weather-stripping 9) Weather-stripping provides a barrier between the fixed and movable sections of doors and windows. Apply weather-stripping to operable windows, exterior doors, garage doors, and doors that lead to the attic. 10) Apply a sealant or caulk around windows, doorframes, sills and joints. On a windy day feel for leaks or use a couple of incense sticks to help identify leaks around windows, electrical outlets, vents and exterior doors. As well look for spider webs - if there is a web there is a draft. The materials you need to seal the gaps are inexpensive ... More about draft proofing from House Smart Home Improvements. Windows 11) Cover your windows with plastic to conserve energy this winter. 12) Even better, have energy-star vinyl replacement windows put in by the experienced professionals at House Smart Home Improvements. Ask about the government grants available for this.  Basement 13) If you have an unfinished basement or crawlspace, check for leaks by looking for spider webs. If there is a web, there is a draft. A large amount of heat is also lost from an un-insulated basement. 14) Add insulation to basement walls. Visit House Smart Home Improvements for more information on insulation.  Drapes & Blinds 15) On sunny days, open south facing drapes and let the sun in, a natural source of heat. If you have large windows that don't receive direct sun, keep the drapes closed.