Your GTA realtyreport
Save Your Energy
Lessening your impact on environmental damage is an admirable thing to do, but let's face it — there's no better incentive for making your house more energy efficient than saving money every month. Here's how to do just that.
- Seal your home. Swap single-pane windows for doublepanes. Upgrade your insulation, particularly in your attic. Test for and seal air leaks. Make sure there's weather stripping and caulking around doors, windows, vents, and anything else that allows air to pass through your home's envelope.
- Update your appliances. Older refrigerators, washers and dryers are among the worst offenders in terms of energy consumption. Newer models are much more efficient, so you can save energy just by buying new. If you want to save even more, choose ENERGY STAR appliances.
- HVAC maintenance. Heating/cooling costs account for the majority of your energy bill; Systems that are old, insufficiently maintained, or in need of repair have to work harder, costing you more. Replace your filter often, have your systems regularly inspected and don't put off repairs or replacements.
- Turn the electronics off – really off. Even after you turn them off, many of your electronics still draw power. Plug the guilty parties into a "smart" power strip; smart strips can sense the difference between devices that are on and those that are off, and cut power completely to those that are off.
- Let there be less light waste! CFLs, LEDs, halogen bulbs, solar lights, timers, dimmer switches, motion sensors: there are plenty of ways you can cut down your lighting costs, both inside and outside of your house, even if you don't change your daily habits.
