Conservation inside your home

Discover handy conservation tips for your family room and home office.

Your family room

• When buying new electronics, look for the ones with Energy Star ratings.
• Use a power bar to plug in multiple electronic devices so they can easily be switched off all at once.
• Check the owner's manual to ensure rechargeable devices are not plugged in for longer than they need.
• Unplug all electronics when you're not using them for extended periods of time. Not only does this save energy, but it also protects your devices from power surges.

Your home office

• Turn off your computer, accessories (speakers, etc.) and printer when not in use. Even in sleep mode, they still draw power. Switching your computer on and off will have no significant effect on its operation or lifespan.
• Choose a computer with power-management options. Power-down features can significantly reduce electricity use.
• Turn off your monitor, even if you are only away from it for short periods of time. Screen savers don't reduce energy consumption.
• Use a laptop. A typical laptop has a consumption of 15 watts, compared to 80-160 watts for desktop computers, and many power down after short periods of inactivity.

Natural light

Play up the natural light in your rooms with window treatments that maximize, not block, the light. Install sky lights, or consider using solar tube day lighting in rooms with easy access to the roof. Solar tubing uses reflective tubes to bring daylight into rooms with no windows.

Decor

Remember the impact that colour can have on your lighting choices. White walls and ceilings reflect more light than dark walls and ceilings. Therefore, the darker your decor, the more light you will need in the room.

More light for your money: Consider placing floor and table lamps in the corners of your rooms, as the light will bounce off of two walls rather than just one.

Light bulbs

The light bulbs you choose make a huge difference in the energy you use. Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LEDs. Here's why:

• CFL and LED bulbs deliver the same output as incandescent bulbs but use significantly less energy.
• 90% of the energy incandescent bulbs use is lost as heat. CFLs and LEDs are cooler and more of the energy they use goes toward producing light.

Dimmers, timers and sensors

• Dimmers help you to save energy and add a variety of light levels to your rooms. Look for dimmers that allow a full range of light levels.
• Make sure the light bulbs you use are not brighter than you need and that they're rated to function with dimmers (not all light bulbs are compatible with dimmers).
• Replace your ordinary wall switches with hi/low switches, but make sure these switches don't use resistors, or you won't save energy.
• Install timers or motion sensors to turn your lights off when a room is unoccupied.

Household tips

• Turn your lights off when they're not in use to save energy and lamp life.
• Clean your bulbs and fixtures. Dust and dirt reduce light levels.
• When cleaning, turn the fixture off or unplug it to prevent shock.
• Avoid having too many lights controlled by a single switch as you may use more lights than you need. Your light switches should be visible and easily accessible so they're easy to turn off.

Holiday lights

• Switch your incandescent light strings to LEDs to save money on your energy bill.
• LEDs use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and don't get hot.
• The amount of energy consumed by just one seven-watt incandescent bulb is equal to 140 LEDs (more than 14m of lights).
• Only turn on indoor lights and Christmas trees when you're in the same room.

Below are some conservation tips for one of the busiest rooms in the house.

At the sink

• Conserve water when you hand-wash dishes by partially filling the sink with soapy water and quickly rinsing dishes with a spray device or in a pan of warm water.
• Clean your vegetables in a partially-filled sink rather than under a continuously running tap.
• Steaming vegetables uses less water than boiling and conserves more of your vegetables' nutrients.
• Keep drinking water in the fridge rather than running tap water to get it cold.
• Install an aerator attachment on your taps to use up to 25% less water.

Tin it, then bin it

• Don't dispose of solvents, chemicals, cleaners or cooking fat by pouring them down your drain; they can harm both the environment and your drainage system. Learn more about protecting your pipes.

Drip, drop, stop

• Regularly check your faucets, pipes, taps and hoses for leaks and drips. Your local hardware store can help you fix most minor household plumbing issues.

Dishwasher

• Water-efficient dishwashers use less water and less energy to heat the water than standard models.
• Use full loads to save water and energy.
• Use the shortest wash cycle for your load size.

Hot water tank

Not all hot water tanks are created equal. When shopping for a new tank, here are some things to look for:

• Choose a high-efficiency water tank.
• Choose the electronic ignition option instead of a traditional pilot light for greater efficiency and safety.
• Consider a tank with an automatic vent damper to reduce convection up the exhaust stack.
• When designing your house or basement, place your hot water tank (and mechanical room) as close to the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms as possible to avoid heat loss through your pipes.

Furnace

• Have your furnace inspected regularly.
• Never run your furnace with the fan compartment cover removed; it puts you at risk of fire and carbon monoxide.
• Check your filter monthly and replace it every three months. Buildup leads to increased drag on the fan and makes your motor work harder.
• Have your vent system cleaned and balanced. Ensure your vents are clean and open, and that they aren't blocked by furniture or curtains. Also, ensure your outside vents are free from blockage.
• Your pilot light or gas burners should burn blue. If yellow flame appears, contact a qualified heating contractor for repair.
• Install pipe insulation on all of your hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.
• When shopping for a new furnace, look for the electronic ignition option instead of a pilot light.

Washing machines

Energy Star rated washing machines use less energy and water than regular washers.

Dishwashers

Make sure to check for the energy efficient Energy Star rated models.

Toilets

Toilet flushing is the largest indoor use of water in single-family homes. Recent advancements have allowed toilets to use 4.8 litres per flush or less while maintaining equal or superior performance. Look to replace old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense labelled models.

Showerheads

Efficient showerheads are available in many styles. Water efficient showerheads reduce hot water requirements - and as a result - reduce the cost of heating water.

Aerators

Install low-flow aerators on faucets.

Outdoor irrigation

Many automatic irrigation systems are controlled with a timer. You can also invest in an inexpensive moisture sensor, ensuring the system doesn't operate unless watering is actually needed.

Hot water tank

Not all hot water tanks are created equal. When shopping for a new tank, here are some things to look for:

• Choose a high-efficiency water tank.
• Choose the electronic ignition option instead of a traditional pilot light for greater efficiency and safety.
• Consider a tank with an automatic vent damper to reduce convection up the exhaust stack.
• When designing your house or garage, place your hot water tank (and mechanical room) as close to the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms as possible to avoid heat loss through your pipes.