Water Heater
Are you heating water unnecessarily? Here’s how you can stem the flow of wasted energy.
TIP: Showers save hot water – a typical bath uses approximately 75 litres of hot water, while a 5-minute shower with an efficient showerhead will use about half of that.
Tips
Be sure to use the vacation setting or turn off the water heater when you are out of town.
Fix leaky faucets – that little drip can add up to 95 litres of water per faucet per month, and cost you 7 kWh per month.
Installing low flow aeraters on faucets can save water and energy.
Drain a pail of water from your natural gas hot water tank every 3 months, or as recommended by the manufacturer, to remove sediment that prevents heat transfer, lowering the unit’s efficiency.
Energy Facts
On average, water heaters use the most energy in the home after heating. A 175-litre tank can use up to 5000 kWh per year, a cost of almost $500 at today’s prices.
SPEND A LITTLE, SAVE A LOT
Wrapping your electric water heater in a special tank blanket can reduce its electricity use.
Refrigerator
Your refrigerator is always on, but there are several no-cost ways to put energy costs on ice!
TIP: Don’t let freezers build up more than 6 mm of frost. Defrost regularly to keep freezers working their best.
Tips
Set the temperature for only as cold as you need; check manufacturer’s recommendations.
Don’t keep that old, inefficient refrigerator running in the basement for occasional refreshments. It could cost you $150 or more per year in electricity.
Don’t overfill the refrigerator, as this blocks air circulation. Conversely, a full freezer will perform better than an empty one.
Check your refrigerator’s door seal by closing the door on a $5 bill. If it’s held tightly in place, the seal’s OK; if not, the door should be adjusted or the seal replaced.
Clean your refrigerator’s coils (back) and air intake grill (below the doors) every 3 months.
Keep refrigerators and freezers out of direct sunlight, and allow at least 5 centimetres all around (or as recommended by the manufacturer) to allow heat to escape from the compressor and condensing coil.
Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator.
Energy Facts
The refrigerator is one of the biggest electricity guzzlers in most homes. While efficiency has improved a lot in recent years, even top-of-the-line models can use more electricity than ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerators.
LOOKING TO BUY A NEW REFRIGERATOR?
Be sure to check the EnerGuide label on every fridge, and consider energy savings in your buying decision. Invest a little more and buy an ENERGY STAR®-qualified model. ENERGY STAR®-qualified refrigerators exceed minimum federal energy efficiency standards for energy consumption by at least 10%, which will save you more money in the long run.
