Smart Heating/Cooling Tips

Surviving in today’s energy landscape takes more diligence and attention from all of us these days. Whether you heat your home with oil, natural gas, propane, electricity, wood or pellet, the rising cost of energy has affected all of us.

However, there may be a silver lining to our current situation. Because we can’t control the price of a litre of heating oil, a gigajoule of gas, or a kilowatt of electricity, increasing energy costs encourage us to try harder and to invest in a cleaner environment by running energy-efficient homes. By considering Kerr Smart Energy™ products you can reward future generations by making responsible energy choices and benefit from an immediate reward – the preservation of your bank account!

Here are some Smart Money-Saving Tips for Heating/Cooling to help you meet your goals:

TIP#1: Caulk and weatherstrip around problem areas (windows, doors, light switches, wall outlets, attic hatches). This will help minimize cold transfer to inside your home in winter and help minimize heat transfer to inside your home in summer. You could save up to 20%.

TIP#2: Lower your thermostat setting. For every 1º C (2º F) you lower your thermostat, you save 2% on your heating bill. For optimum savings, turn your thermostat down 3º C (5º F) at night and when you’re away.

TIP#3: Blowing in attic insulation (R20 to R40) can you up to 20% on your energy bills.

TIP#4: Insulate pipes and ducts in an unfinished basement to save up to 2-5% on your energy bills.

TIP#5: Keep your furnace/boiler well-maintained. You could save up to 10% on your heating costs.

TIP#6: Replace your older furnace or boiler (15-20 years) with new Energy Star or Energy Guide rated equipment. You could save up to 25% on your energy bills.

TIP#7: Set you air conditioner at 24º ‹ C (75º F) and raise it when your not home. For each degree set below 24º C (75º F), you use 3% to 5% MORE energy.

TIP#8: Use drapes or blinds to keep direct sunlight from overheating your home.

TIP#9: Turn on the bathroom fan while bathing to minimize moisture build-up.

TIP#10: Consider cooking, drying clothes and bathing in the cooler morning hours to keep your home as cool as possible, enabling you to use your air conditioner less.

TIP#11: Replace your older air conditioner with an Energy Star qualified model. Today’s Energy Star qualified a/c units use 30 to 40 percent less energy than most models sold 10 – 15 years ago.

TIP#12: Regularly change your air conditioners filter. A dirty air filter reduces airflow and may harm the unit.