Environmental Issues in Northern Ontario
Throughout the house
Increase the efficiency of your
refrigerator and freezer
Keep them away from heat sources (direct sunlight, furnace vents and
radiators) and appliances (oven, stove and dishwasher) that can make
them work harder to stay cool. At the same time, check the temperature
settings. Keep your refrigerator temperature between 1.7°C (35°F) and
3.3°C (38°F) and the freezer compartment at -18°C (0°F) for maximum
efficiency and safety.
Look for an ENERGY STAR®-qualified refrigerator
Look for an ENERGY STAR®-qualified refrigerator if you’re in the market
for a new one. For example, a 2004 model uses less than half the
electricity of a unit built 10 years ago and can reduce GHGs by more
than 0.2 tonne each year.
Maintain your refrigerator and freezer for better energy use
Clean the refrigerator heating coils regularly. When you clean them,
check the condition of the coils and components at the back of the unit.
Keep the rubber door seals clean and tight. They should hold a piece of
paper snugly. If the paper slips out easily, replace the seal.
Select the dishwasher’s no-heat or air-drying cycle
Turn off the electric element that heats the interior of the unit and
causes the water to evaporate. It is easy to do and will save on your
hydro bill. Scrape off your dishes instead of rinsing them and run the
dishwasher only when it is full.
Unplug that second refrigerator or freezer
Unless you really need these appliances, don’t waste energy or money
needlessly. This tip is particularly important if they are older,
less-efficient models.
Avoid over-drying clothes
Clothes should dry in 40 to 60 minutes. Better yet, hang clothes
outdoors to dry when the weather permits. If you are buying a new dryer,
look for one with a moisture sensor. It will turn off automatically when
clothes are dry.
Rinse in cold water and wash in warm
Clothes rinsed in cold water come out as clean as those rinsed in warm
water. Washing in warm rather than hot water uses 50% less energy, and
your clothes will come out just as well rinsed and, depending on the
fabric, less wrinkled.
Install outdoor automatic timers
You won’t have to remember to turn your outdoor lights on in the evening
and off during the day. Installing a timer can cut your outdoor lighting
energy use by up to half. Or use motion detectors that switch on
automatically when people move close to them and switch off after a few
minutes.
Use more-efficient light bulbs
The amount of electricity needed to light a Canadian home results in
almost one third of a tonne of GHGs each year. By replacing five of the
most used standard bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR®-qualified
compact fluorescent light bulbs, you can reduce your GHGs and save about
$30 each year.
Avoid running the tap
Avoid running the tap while shaving, brushing your teeth or doing
dishes. Partially fill the sink with water and stop about 80% of that
clean water from going down the drain – along with your money.
Go for a high-efficiency water heater unit
Go for a high-efficiency water heater unit Some new models heat water
only when you need it, rather than storing hot water in a tank.
Install a low-flow showerhead
Install a low-flow showerhead with a shut-off lever. This do-it-yourself
project takes only minutes. But it delivers big savings in water
consumption and water heating, because it allows you to interrupt water
flow. A low-flow showerhead uses 60% less water than standard fixtures.
Insulate water pipes
Insulate water pipes to reduce heat loss. Insulate the first two metres
of the hot- and cold-water pipes from the water heater. A significant
amount of heat travels through these pipes and can be lost, particularly
through unheated areas such as basements and crawl spaces. For safety,
don’t place any pipe insulation within 15 centimetres (6 inches) of the
exhaust vent at the top of standard natural gas/propane or oil-fired
water heaters, and never insulate plastic pipes. If you have an electric
water heater, insulate the tank for further energy savings.
Take a quick shower
Take a quick shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower, for
instance, uses up to 50% less hot water than a bath.
Turn off your cottage’s water heater when you leave
It wastes energy to keep water hot when it isn’t needed. It doesn’t take
long to heat up when you return.
Tips supplied by the Government of Canada
