Ten Winter Energy Saving Tips

Conservation Helps Ontarians Manage Energy Use, Cut Costs

Energy conservation is an important part of Ontario's Long-Term Energy Plan, which has set a goal of reducing energy consumption by 7,100 MW by the year 2030. That is the equivalent of taking over 2.4 million homes off the grid.

Ontario families can help manage their energy use this winter by following some simple conservation tips:

1. Install a programmable thermostat: When properly set, a thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10 per cent. Set your thermostat to 20°C when you're at home and 18°C when sleeping or away.
2. Protect against drafts: Install weatherstrip around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and air conditioners. Reducing drafts can save up to 30 per cent a year on heating costs.
3. Flip your furnace filter: Change your furnace filter monthly. It's also a good idea to have your furnace serviced by a professional every year to ensure it is running at maximum efficiency.
4. Go off-peak: Take advantage of lower energy prices during off-peak hours. Run your dishwasher, washer and dryer early in the morning, in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are lowest.
5. Unplug it: Be sure to unplug electronic items not in use. Devices like computers, TVs, and cell phone chargers continue to consume small amounts of electricity unless they are unplugged. Try plugging these items into a power bar with a switch or timer, so you can easily turn them off when they are not needed.
6. Lock in the heat: Block heat from entering unused areas of your house, like a storage room or crawlspace, by closing doors. Keep closet doors shut too.
7. Opt for efficient lighting: When it's time to replace a light bulb, choose energy-efficiency compact florescent lights (CFLs, LEDs), rather than incandescent lights.
8. Let the sun shine in: During the day, keep your curtains open to draw in sunlight. Solar energy can help naturally warm your home.
9. Clean your fridge coils: Be sure to regularly brush or vacuum your refrigerator coils to make them more energy-efficient.
10. Ditch the drip: Make an effort to quickly repair leaky faucets. Even a small drip can waste litres of water per month and add to your water heating costs.

Building a clean energy system that supports healthier families, a healthier environment and a healthier economy is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create and support jobs for Ontario families while ensuring we have the electricity we need to power our homes, schools, hospitals and our economy.

QUICK FACTS

• Through conservation, Ontario homeowners, businesses and industry have achieved over 1,700 MW of energy savings since 2005. That's the equivalent of over 500,000 homes being taken off the grid.
• The Ontario Clean Energy Benefit is helping Ontario families, farms and small businesses by taking 10 per cent off of all electricity bills for the next five years.
• Through the Long-Term Energy Plan, Ontario is committed to increasing wind, solar and bioenergy from less than one per cent of generation capacity in 2003 to almost 13 per cent by 2030, an increase of over 400 per cent.

CONTACTS

• For media inquiries call:
  Jennifer Kett, Minister's Office
  416-327-6747 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            416-327-6747      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
  jennifer.kett@ontario.ca
• For media inquiries call:
  Paul Gerard, Communications Branch
  416-327-7226 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            416-327-7226      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
  paul.gerard@ontario.ca
• For public inquiries call:
  1-888-668-4636 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1-888-668-4636      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
  TTY: 1-800-239-4224 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1-800-239-4224      

Ministry of Energy
ontario.ca/energy