Out of all the many things there are to love about spring and summer in Canada, increasing energy bills don’t make the list.
You want to take time off, take a trip, enjoy being a family, but there are bills to pay.
Here, the solution is clear: get those bills down so you have more money and time to enjoy summer!
In this post, we will show you how to shave valuable dollars off your summer energy bills.
P.S. Be sure to read all the way to the end for a limited-time money- and energy-saving offer!
1. Clean & Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a wonderful invention!
Just like the difference you feel between standing in full sun and standing beneath a shady tree, ceiling fans provide that extra boost in cooling that requires no actual change in thermostat.
But like any hard-working appliance, ceiling fans occasionally need maintenance and cleaning. As well, most modern ceiling fans have a dual switch that toggles the fan between two modes: winter and summer.
This is especially helpful to check if you moved to a new space during the cold season and now it is warming up.
TIP: If you stand right under your ceiling fan while it is on and you can’t feel any air moving, this is a good sign the fan switch is on winter mode. The switch is on the thick central part in between the blades. Locate it and toggle the switch into reverse. Then stand under the fan again and see if you feel a difference.
2. Keep those air filters clean
Whether this means changing out a disposable filter monthly or cleaning and replacing a reusable filter monthly, the cleaner your HVAC’s air filters are, the less resistance your A/C will encounter while trying to push cool air out into the air duct system.
More resistance = more energy draw = higher energy bills. You want the opposite, and a great way to get it is to keep those air filters squeaky clean.
3. Give your fridge some extra TLC
Did you know that your refrigerator can draw up to 11 percent of the energy your home uses?
Unfortunately, a fridge is just going to burn energy, since its job is to maintain a consistent temperature to keep your food safe.
The average Ontario-area homeowner now pays between $150 and $250 per month on energy. So let’s say you pay $200 on energy each month.
Eleven percent of $200 is $22. But what if you could get your fridge’s monthly energy draw down to 5 percent? At 5 percent, it would cost you only $10 per month. That could save you $144 per year!
How can you take steps in this direction?
Clean your refrigerator’s coils
Like your A/C unit’s air ducts, your refrigerator’s coils often get forgotten. They are located way in the back, and often the only way to see them is to pull the whole unit away from the wall. But they get pretty encrusted with dust and debris over time, and this causes the equivalent effect of a clogged air filter inside your HVAC unit.
What you need to do is either hand-dust the coils or (even better) get out your vacuum cleaner and use a narrow nozzle attachment to vacuum all that dust and debris away from the coils.
Clean your fridge’s door seals
The seals are those ridged flexible pieces along the door rims that sometimes seem to attract tiny food particles no matter how meticulously you clean them. So take a damp rag and just wipe them down thoroughly. If your ridges are deep, a vacuum with a narrow nozzle feature also works well here.
By cleaning these seals, you will ensure less energy leakage from inside the fridge. Also, notice if any of the seals seem worn or loose. These may need replacing to ensure food safety as well as optimal energy efficiency.
Do a temperature check
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), your freezer should always be set to 0°F (-18°C).
Your fridge should always be set at or below 40°F (4°C).
As long as your door seals are tight and clean, however, there is no need to set either component to a lower temperature, as this will just draw more power than you truly need.
4. Use timers for your appliances and electronics
If you (or family members) have trouble remembering to power down your appliances and electronics at day’s end, you can use a timer-driven power strip to do this automatically.
This will save you from having to pay for powering these items while everyone is asleep at night!
5. Use your HVAC thermostat
The majority of air conditioners in use today have an integrated programmable thermostat. Many of those that do not come with this feature can be equipped with an after-market programmable thermostat. It just needs to be compatible with your furnace.
If you want to see a real drop in your energy use expenses, use this tool to ensure your A/C is not cooling an empty house.
6. Time your energy use for optimal pricing
As the Ontario area continues transitioning to the newer “time of use” plan, homeowners are beginning to see the possibilities for increased monthly energy savings.
For instance, if you do more of your cooking, washing, cleaning, etc.,, when power prices are at the off-peak price, you will pay less.
Want a FREE Air Duct Cleaning?
Right now and through June 30, 2017, Shipton’s and our sister company, Clean Air Solutions Hamilton, is offering a special deal. Buy a new A/C and furnace combo and get an air duct cleaning FREE!
Give us a call at 905-544-2070 or fill in this easy online form to claim your freebie!
