Save Energy to Save Money
Simple steps can save you cash in 2008!
The holidays have come and
gone and Canadians are working hard to keep their New Year's resolutions
intact. Since the results of a recent poll show that 50 per cent of
Canadians consider saving money on a day-to-day basis difficult, it's
likely that many New Year's resolutions centre around spending less
(especially after the holidays have drained most people's wallets!).1 So
what can Canadians do this year to keep their money in their pockets? It
could be as easy as introducing some green alternatives into the home to
save energy and money at the same time.
"There are many simple, environmentally sound steps Canadians can
take to save money on a daily basis," says Brad Emond, Certified
Energy Advisor with The Energuy - a company that regularly provides home
energy efficiency solutions to everyday Canadians. "Programming your
thermostat, using low-energy/high efficiency light bulbs and rechargeable
batteries are quick and easy ways to conserve energy and cash without
making huge sacrifices."
Now those are New Year's resolutions that Canadians can actually keep!
It is easy being green Seventy-seven per cent of Canadians have attempted
to use less energy at
home as a means to save - but many of us still don't know where to begin!
According to Brad, the following tips provide solid starting points from
which to start saving energy and money throughout the New Year.
Get with the program:
Program your thermostat for different temperatures throughout the day. Set
the dial to 16-18C (61-64F) for when you're home, and throw on a sweater
if need be. Program your thermostat for lower temperatures for times of
day when you aren't at home.
There's something in the water:
Your hot water heater uses a lot of energy getting and staying hot. To
reduce heat loss, wrap your tank in a thermal blanket. Also consider
setting your hot water heater to its pilot setting when you go out of
town. Another tip - to save energy (and to keep your colours bright!) wash
your clothes in cold water.
Recharge your wallet:
Using rechargeable batteries can save thousands of used batteries from
becoming waste. This savings is also passed on to your wallet - it could
cost approximately $5,000.00 in disposable alkalines to deliver the same
amount of power available from a one-time purchase of a Panasonic R2
rechargeable battery kit, for example.
Lighten up:
If you replace a single 100-watt high-use light bulb with an energy
efficient light bulb, like a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), you can save
over $35 a year! The more bulbs you change, the more money you shave off
your energy bill. 2
Gone with the wind:
Drafts in windows and doors can cause houses of all sizes to lose heat
(and energy). But how do you check to see if your home is properly draft
proofed?
Grab a feather on a windy day and walk around your home, holding it to all
your doors and windows. If the feather moves, you've found a draft!
Recharge, reuse - right now
Most Canadians take the environment into consideration when making
purchase decisions (a whopping 86%). In today's tech savvy culture, high
drain, battery-operated devices such as MP3 players, digital cameras, or
electronic toys and gadgets are always popular electronics found in the
home.
"Unlike many rechargeable brands, Panasonic's R2 Technology batteries
can be used right out of the package, just like ordinary disposable
batteries," says Brad. "They have a super low self-discharge
rate and retain up to 80 per cent of their charge even after six months in
storage. Stocking up on rechargeable batteries is a small-but-easy way to
turn the New Year green".
1 Panasonic/ Decima Omnibus, October 2007
2 Calculation based on replacement of 100watt light bulb with a Panasonic
CFL 13watt energy efficient light bulb, assuming bulb is in use for an
average of 10 hours daily at a cost of $0.12 per kilowatt of energy
consumed.
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