Regular home-efficiency maintenance

• Clean or replace all filters in your home regularly. Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary
• Clean and service furnaces regularly. Oil-fired furnaces need annual maintenance, natural gas and propane furnaces should be serviced at least every two years.
• Change furnace filters at least every 90 days (or cleaned, if you use a permanent filter)
• Empty or bleed the air from hot water radiators once or twice a year so they can fill fully with water and work more efficiently
• Keep air flowing by not obstructing vents or return air grilles with furniture

Preventing drafts and heating/cooling loss

• Apply weather-stripping around older exterior doors
• Seal cracks and penetrations on the walls, ceilings or floors to prevent air from escaping into the walls and roof
• Seal areas of air leakage around all window and door casings, mouldings, and baseboards
• Install foam insulation gaskets behind electrical outlet and light-switch faceplates.
• Seal all supply ductwork with aluminum foil duct tape, approved flexible plastic tape or water-based mastic to improve comfort.
• Make sure heating, cooling, and ventilation ducts running through basements, crawl spaces, or unheated attics are sealed and insulated.
• Insulate hot and cold water pipes by covering the first two metres with foam sleeves. Leave a 15 cm (6-inch) clearance between insulation and vent pipes on fuel-fired water heaters.

Kitchen

• Use the microwave to reheat food
• Don't pre-rinse dishes, scrape dishes instead, let the washing do the rest
• Use the air dry feature on a dishwasher
• Use the dishwasher setting with the best cleaning in least amount of time
• Allow room for air-flow in your fridge (don't overfill)
• Keep the fridge away from heat sources such as heat vents, stove, and sun

Bathroom

• Install a water-saving shower head to use less hot water (look for one that has a flow rate of less than 7.6 litres per minute)
• Take a shower instead of bath to save on hot water costs
• Use a low-flow toilet that uses 4.8 litres per flush to save water
• Buy a faucet aerator to use less hot water (choose aerators that deliver 3.0 to 5.7 litres per minute of water)
• Install a timer switch for your fan (do not leave manual fans running unattended)

Laundry

• Pre-soak stained clothes (avoid re-washing)
• Choose high-speed or extended spin to remove maximum amount of water before drying clothes
• Wash in warm or preferably cold water
• Clean the lint trap in the dryer after every load to maximize air flow and efficiency
• Avoid over-drying, use the sensor setting or time it just right
• Don't overfill the dryer to ensure maximum airflow and reduce strain on motor
• Sort by thickness, light items in one load, thick items in another
• Avoid the dryer and air-dry clothes

Appliances

Upgrade to ENERGY STAR® certified appliances and fixtures

• Fridge (use 10% less energy*)
• Range hood fan (use 50% less energy*)
• Dishwasher (use 12% less energy*)
• Washing machine: (save 25% more energy, use 33% less water*)
• Clothes Dryer (save 20% more energy*)
• Water heaters
• Bathroom ventilation fan (use 50% less energy*)
• TV (use 25% less energy*)
• Audio/video products (use up to 70% less energy*)
• Computer monitors (use 25% less energy*)
• Cordless phone (use 40% less energy*)
• Lighting fixtures (use up to 90% less energy**)
• Ceiling fans (use 60% less energy*)

*Compared to standard models / **Compared to incandescent bulbs

Electrical

• Replace light bulbs with LED bulbs
• Use dimmable LED bulbs and compatible dimmer switches
• Use a smart power strip to cut power to devices not in use
• Enable low power settings on devices to save energy and help your batteries last longer
• Use natural light from windows instead of turning on the lights
• Turn off lights when not in use
• Install motion sensors to reduce your light use

Create some summer shade

• Use awnings, blinds or drapes to keep direct rays of sunshine from overheating the room in the summer
• Plant strategically positioned trees to help keep direct sunlight from overheating your home in the summer