Utilities Kingston's Energy-Savings Tips

Set your thermostat back. For each 4oC you turn back the thermostat each night, you save up to 10% in energy costs.
Lowering your thermostat by 1 degree during the winter months, can save as much as 3% of the energy your furnace uses.
Consider installing a programmable thermostat for your furnace. It will turn the heat up before you wake, turn the heat down when you leave home and back up when you return.
Make sure your heating ducts are sealed. If you find a drafty seam, seal it with high-quality duct tape or approved mastic specifically for duct sealing.
Keep your basement reasonably warm since heat rises to the rest of the house.
If you're chilly, don't turn up the heat, put on a sweater.
If your furnace is more than 10 years old, it's likely only about 55% efficient. This means your furnace wastes as much as 45% of the available heat and you lose 45¢ of every heating dollar you spend. Compare this to a high-efficiency furnace, which is up to 96% efficient.
Adding a humidifier to your heating system may enable you to turn your thermostat down and still be comfortable at lower temperatures.
Clean or replace the furnace filter at least every three months throughout the heating season. A clogged filter reduces the flow of warm air in your home and could make your furnace operate longer than necessary.

Try to install your air conditioner in a shaded area. An air conditioner that is exposed to direct sunlight will consume 5% more energy than one that is shaded.
When you turn your air conditioner on, do not switch your thermostat to a colder setting than you need. It will not cool the room any faster.
Make sure the coils on your air conditioner are straight and kept clean. If they are clogged or dirty, you can clean them with a vacuum cleaner.
Periodically check that the filter in your air conditioner is clean. Disposable filters should be replaced at least every second month.
Window air conditioners let in cold air and should be removed for winter.
Use a programmable thermostat for central air conditioners. This will allow you to set the timer so your home will be cool when you arrive, and while you sleep.

Make sure your heating vents are open and not blocked by curtains or furniture.
Remove the cover grills from warm air registers and cold air returns and vacuum out any dust and pet hairs.
Install electric ceiling fans to boost both the efficiency of air conditioning in the summer and to circulate warm air away from the ceiling in the winter.
Try Installing a zoning system to control airflow and temperature so you only heat /cool areas of your home that you're using.
Close the damper tightly when you're not using the fireplace. Your chimney is a great escape route for hot air, both from your fireplace and heating system.

Check the reflectors under your stovetop burners. The cleaner they are, the better they will reflect the heat.
Don't preheat your oven longer than necessary. Five to ten minutes should be sufficient.
Keep your oven door closed. Every time you open your oven door during cooking, the temperature drops 5 to 10 degrees C.
During the summer, using your barbeque instead of your stove will save energy and reduce the need to run your air conditioner.
Microwaves use approximately 50% less energy than conventional ovens; they are a very efficient appliance for defrosting and cooking small meals.
Place your freezer in a cool, dark place.
Place your fridge out of direct sunlight and away from the stove.
If your refrigerator-freezer is more than 20 years old, consider buying a new one. New fridges use at least 55 percent less energy.
Only use your dishwasher for full loads.

Install faucet aerators and a toilet bag or dam to reduce hot and cold water use. This can result in savings in your hydro and water bill.
Use low-flow showerheads. Efficient showerheads can cut water use by up to 60% compared to conventional fixtures.
Repair leaking faucets by putting in new washers. A single tap dripping once every second wastes 800 litres of water per month!

Use the washer efficiently. Wait for a full load or use the small-load setting. Laundry does not always need to be washed in hot water. Water heating can account for 20 per cent of a home's energy bill, and 20 per cent of that is used for laundry.
Hang clothes outside to dry, instead of using the dryer.
When you are using your dryer keep the lint filter clean, operate the dryer with a full load, and match the dryer temperature settings to the type of fabric and the size of load.

Wrap the electric hot water heater with an insulating blanket (glass, fibre or foam insulation wrap) and insulate exposed hot water pipes. This will help reduce your heating/energy bill.
Drain about 4.5 litres (1 gallon) every two to three months from the drain tap to remove sediment and mineral build-up from the bottom of the tank.

Always turn off the lights when leaving a room, even if it's only for a few minutes. It's a myth that it takes more energy to turn a light on than to leave it on.
Try using lower-wattage bulbs - your lights may be brighter than you need.
Use dimmer switches. They will help you to use only the light you need.
Consider using compact fluorescent lights, they use up to 75% less energy and can last up to 10 times longer than standard light bulbs.
Use motion sensor lights for outdoors, instead of leaving them on all night.
Install a programmable light switch to turn off lights automatically. The switch can turn lights off when no one is home during the day and lights were left on accidentally.
Use task lighting (lamps) wherever possible.
Place floor lamps or table lamps in a corner. Light will reflect from two walls, making the room brighter without turning on more lamps.

Make sure the energy-saver option on your computer is turned on. This will reduce your electricity bill.
Turn off your computer if it will not be used for a long period of time.

Open window coverings and let the sun in during the day to help warm your home, then close the blinds when the sun goes down.
Make sure curtains aren't blocking your heating/cooling vents.
Replace worn or missing weatherstrips on windows to help stop cold drafts and heat loss.
Open the drapes and use natural daylight where possible.

Install a natural gas fireplace. A natural gas fireplace produces instant warmth, is better for the environment than burning wood and it costs just pennies to use.
If you have a wood burning fireplace, close the damper tightly when you're not using the fireplace. Your chimney is a great escape route for hot air.

Use several layers of warm lightweight covers on your bed to act as insulation and trap body heat.
If you use a waterbed, make sure it is well covered with bedding, the energy usage could be up to 40% less. Extra insulation, such as foam insulation around the frame or heavy bedding, can also help lower costs.

Replace worn or missing caulk around outside doors to help stop cold drafts and heat loss.
Avoid having doors open longer than necessary when entering or exiting your home.