6 Conservation Tips From Electrical Contractors

Did you know residents in the Greater Toronto Area face higher energy costs than anyone else in Canada? High energy costs can take quite a toll on your monthly budget, but as electrical contractors, we know there are some easy ways to conserve energy and lower those monthly bills.

1. Install A Smart Thermostat
In the past, you had to physically walk over to a thermostat to adjust your heat or air conditioning, but those days are over. With a smart thermostat, you can adjust temperatures and turn the heater or AC on or off just about anywhere in the world. Additionally, a smart thermostat can be programmed so that you aren’t wasting heat or cool air when you aren’t at home.

For instance, rather than leaving your heater on throughout the day and wasting heat when no one is at home, your smart thermostat can kick on 20 minutes before you get home, so that your interior is warm, but you aren’t wasting energy. Likewise, your thermostat can be program to turn down the heat at night when you are snug in bed. In the summer, you can do the same with air conditioning, and this can equal a huge reduction in early energy costs. If you aren’t sure how to install a smart thermostat, electrical contractors in Toronto may be able to help.

2. Unplug & Turn Off
You probably have quite a few items in your home that don’t really need to be plugged in all of the time. For instance, your microwave and toaster don’t need to be plugged in until you need to lose them, nor does your coffee pot. If you have TVs and DVD players in guest rooms or other rooms where they rarely are used, unplug those, as well. Keep desktop computers in sleep mode when not in use and pull the plug entirely when you go on vacation.

Ensure that you turn off lights when you leave the room and put outside lights on a timer so that you don’t waste energy once the sun comes up. You can transform your entire house into a smart home. This will allow you to turn lights on and off remotely when you aren’t at home, which can save energy and deter burglars. Electrical contractors can help make these upgrades to your home.

3. Use Greener Lights
LED lighting installation can be an excellent way to reduce energy costs. While LED bulbs are more costly than incandescent and compact fluorescent lighting, these bulbs last far longer and require much less energy to provide the same level of illumination. LED lights aren’t hot to the touch like traditional incandescent bulbs and unlike compact fluorescent bulbs; they don’t contain trace amounts of mercury. In the long run, you can save hundreds of dollars switching to LED lights.

4. Close Curtains & Vents
During the summer months, close the curtains, shades and blinds during the hottest times of the day. This will make it easier for your air conditioner to keep your house cool and prevent cool air from escaping. If you have rooms that are not in regular use, consider closing the vents in these rooms and shut the doors. You will save money if you stop heating and cooling rooms that you don’t really use. In the rooms where you do need to heat or cool the air, ensure that vents are not covered by furniture or rugs. Don’t forget to clean your vents and furnace filter, as this will help your heater work more efficiently and, ultimately, lower your heating costs. During the winter, it can be smart to open all of the blinds and curtains and use natural light to help warm up your home. Not only will it warm your home, you won’t need to turn on as many lights, which also reduces energy use.

5. Upgrade Your Windows & Doors
If your windows and exterior doors aren’t insulated or have leaks, your heater and air conditioner will have to work harder. You can upgrade to more energy-efficient windows and doors, use storm windows during the winter months, or add caulk and weather-stripping to your windows and doors. It also can be wise to check the insulation in your attic to ensure that you have enough to lock in heat and cool air.

6. Upgrade Your Appliances
Upgrading appliances obviously comes with a large upfront cost. However, new energy-efficient appliances greatly reduce your use of heat, water and electricity. Air conditioning units use the most energy to run, so upgrading to an energy-efficient model can be a great idea. Other appliances that use an abundance of energy include your washer and dryer and water heater. In addition to upgrading to energy efficient models, washing clothes in cold water and hanging clothes to dry can reduce energy costs. Taking shorter showers can reduce water costs and water heating costs.

As electrical contractors in Toronto, we can upgrade your lighting system and swap out the old bulbs for LED lights. We also can provide you with an energy audit and provide you with some suggestions that will lower your energy use and, ultimately, save you money.