Climate Action Challenge: home energy savings

While we are all spending so much time at home, you may be tired of staring at the same four walls. We thought it was time to talk about energy savings that are quick and simple. Not only will they save energy, but in the end, they will save you money too.
Did you know that a 2015 study showed that household products and services comprise 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions annually? So it stands to reason that reducing our at-home consumption can provide pretty good bang for your buck, while making the planet happier too.
Here are our tips for February:

Feb. 5: Become aware of your spending. What is your biggest category? Food? Utilities? Repairs? Stuff? Then consider what you could cut back on. Here’s your big challenge. How long could you go without spending on anything but groceries? For a day (good); a week (better); a month (best). Give it a try and see how far you get. In these Covid times, you may find this challenge a little easier than it may be normally!

Feb. 12: Call your energy companies or go to their websites to find out about green energy  or energy efficiency grants and programs that might be available. Many utilities have incentive programs to help you get started. Anything from LED light bulbs, programmable thermostats to rebates on windows, doors and furnaces. There are also government programs available that you can sign up for. If you are already planning household renovations, it might be wise to investigate before beginning, as some require an Energy Audit before work begins.

Feb. 19: Lower the temperature on your hot water tank. The default setting on most water heaters is 60ºC or 140ºF, but optimal water temperature is 49ºC or 120ºF. Turning down the heat will save you about 25 per cent of your hot water heating costs. Water heating makes up about 20-25 per cent of the natural gas used in a typical gas-heated house (in a cold climate). Lowering the temperature setting by that 11ºC or 20ºF can cut your overall natural gas use by 5-6 per cent over the year. A quick, one-time adjustment for a few hundred bucks a year. Not bad. 

Feb. 24: Lower your thermostat by one degree this week. You won’t really notice the difference, but estimates are that every one degree in temperature saves about five per cent on your heating bill. It goes without saying that you should have a programmable thermostat, that lowers the temperature of your home when you are away and asleep, and turns it up in the early morning, and again after work. Your “away” state should be about 10 degrees cooler than your “at home” state. So, for example, when you’re home, your thermostat is 70ºF. When you’re away, it’s 60ºF. 

There are many other easy things you can do, like, reversing your ceiling fans so they are pushing hot air down into the room. Use area rugs to heat up cold floors. Put on a sweater, or a lap blanket when you’re relaxing. Of course, change out your light bulbs for LEDs, and use timers. Turn out the lights when you leave a room. I know you’re having flashbacks of living at home as a teenager, but, your dad was right. Small stuff can make a big difference.

52 Weeks of Climate Action was created by Sherri Jackson and Laurel Hood. Visit the blog or sign up at www.52weeksofclimateaction.com.