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ACCORDING to Natural Resources Canada, 17 per cent of all energy used in Canada goes toward running our homes. Consequently, the potential for substantial energy savings is high, provided homeowners take the necessary steps.
The benefits apply particularly to older homes; it is estimated that homes older than 25 years have the potential to save an average of 35 per cent of their energy use.
Here are five ways savings can be made.
1 Compact fluorescent light bulbs use one-quarter of the energy of standard incandescent bulbs, so a 15-watt CFL produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
CFLs certified by Energy Star, an international marketing symbol to identify energy-saving home products, are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but last longer. With an average 30 light fixtures in each of Canada's 12 million households, replacing a single 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 15-watt CFL in each one could save up to $73 million a year in energy costs.
2 Energy Star appliances make a big difference to the efficiency of your home.
Refrigerators certified under the program must be at least 15 per cent more efficient than federal minimum energy-performance standards, which they typically achieve by using a more energy-efficient compressor and better insulation than conventional models.
Energy Star standard-size freezers must exceed minimum energy performance standards by at least 10 per cent, while compact models must beat them by at least 20 per cent.
Qualified dishwashers must outperform the standard by at least 25 per cent. Many use "smart" sensors that adjust the wash cycle and amount of water to match the load, and may also have an internal heater.
Manitoba Hydro has a rebate program for qualifying Energy Star appliances. Check its website at www.hydro.mb.ca for details. Savings include $100 on qualifying clothes washers, $50 on qualifying refrigerators and $25 on qualifying chest freezers.
3 About 15 per cent of a typical household energy bill goes to heating water. The water-heater is one of the biggest energy consumers in many Canadian homes, second only to the furnace. If you've got an older hot-water appliance, you can save by insulating the heater itself, the first three metres on cold-water pipes and the first two metres on hot water pipes. Also, many water-heater manufacturers set the temperature of the tank to 60 C (140 F), which you can reduce to as low as 55 C (130 F).
4 Look for ways to reduce your water use. A low-flow shower head can cut your water use in the shower by over 30 per cent, and installing tap aerators can give you the same pressure with less water flow. You can reduce the energy you use for a load of laundry by 93 per cent by washing and rinsing your clothes in cold water. You can also reduce water use by installing a low-flow toilet.
5 Older houses can usually benefit from retrofitting to keep the heat in. Adding R-40 insulation, caulking, weatherstripping, improving windows and doors can all save money and energy. Poorly insulated attics are a good candidate for improvement; if yours has less than 15 centimetres (six inches) of insulation, it is worth putting more in. Insulating basements will also cut heat loss.
-- CanWest News Service
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