EnerGuide
- The EnerGuide label tells you at a glance how the appliance you’re considering compares with other makes and models.
- The annual energy consumption of the appliance is provided in kilowatt hours and the lower the number, the better.
- The energy consumption indicator shows you how this model compares to others in its class. The bar below the indicator gives the energy efficiency range for this class of appliance. The further the indicator is to the left
of the scale, the better.
Back to Conservation Tips
|
ENERGY STAR®
The international ENERGY STAR® symbol is a simple way for consumers to identify products that are among the most energy-efficient on the market. Only manufacturers and retailers whose products meet the ENERGY STAR criteria can label their products with this symbol. Choosing an ENERGY STAR labeled product over a conventional model could save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs.
But there is more to ENERGY STAR than saving money. The use of energy-efficient products labeled with the ENERGY STAR logo can help you use less energy, thus reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions and promoting cleaner air.
For energy-efficient household appliances, home heating or office equipment, consumer electronics or other products, look for the ENERGY STAR symbol.
Back to Conservation Tips
|
Refrigerators
- Of all the large appliances, refrigerators usually consume the most energy, so select the right size for your needs.
- While efficiency has improved in recent years, even top of the line models can use more electricity than ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerators.
- 1 – 2 people = 340 litres (12 cu. ft.)
- 3 – 4 people = 395 to 480 litres (14 – 17 cu. ft.)
- For each additional person, add 55 litres (2 cu. ft.)
- Measure the space where you want to put your refrigerator. Allow 25 mm (1”) of space on each side for air flow.
- Choose a model with an energy saver switch.
- Don’t let your refrigerator/freezer build up more than 6 mm of frost. Defrost regularly to keep it working its best.
- Set the temperature for only as cold as you need; check the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Don’t keep that old, inefficient refrigerator running in the basement for occasional refreshments. It could cost you $150 or more per year in electricity.
- Don’t overfill the refrigerator, this blocks air circulation. Conversely, a full freezer will perform better than an empty one.
- Check your refrigerator’s door seal by closing the door on a $5 bill. If it’s held tightly in place, the seal’s in place, if not, the door should be adjusted or the seal replaced.
- Clean your refrigerator’s coils (if applicable) and air intake grill (below the door) every 3 months.
- Keep refrigerators away from all sources of heat, including direct sunlight, furnace vents, radiators and appliances such as ovens and dishwashers.
- Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator
- Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator; the cool air from the packages will help maintain coolness.
- Make sure your refrigerator door is closed, and don’t keep it open for long periods when looking for something or loading groceries
Back to Conservation Tips
|
|
Freezers
- Buy a freezer that allows 85 – 140 litres per person (about 3 – 5 cu. ft.)
- Chest freezers are more efficient and have more useable space.Fully defrost and clean the inside of your freezer once a year.
- Vacuum dust from the back and underside of your freezer regularly.
- Keep freezers away from all sources of heat, including direct sunlight, furnace vents, radiators and appliances such as ovens and dishwashers.
- Freezers should be set at a temperature of -18° (0° F). For each degree below this temperature, the freezer will use almost 2% more energy.
- If you’re buying a new freezer, consider a new energy efficient model. Freezers made in 2002 use less than half the electricity consumed by those made 10 years earlier.
- Keep your freezer in the coldest part of your house.
Back to Conservation Tips
|
Ovens/Stoves/Microwaves
- Self-cleaning ovens can be up to 25% more efficient because they are generally better insulated.
- Look for oven doors that are well insulated and fit tightly. A window in the oven door lets you look inside without opening the door and letting heat escape.
- Keep the oven door closed when cooking. Every time you open the door you lose at least 20% of the heat. Instead, use the window to check foods.
- Check the seal on your oven door by closing the door on a $5 bill (when cool). If it’s tightly held in place, the seal is OK; if not, the door should be adjusted or the seal replaced.
- Unless you are baking bread or pastry you probably don’t need to preheat your oven. Preheating is not always necessary and consumes about 0.06 kWh every 10 minutes.
- If you use the self-cleaning option on your oven, do so right after you have finished cooking when the oven is still hot.
- Consider buying a convection oven. These ovens have a fan that keeps the hot air moving throughout cooking. This will cook more evenly and faster resulting in savings of energy, time and money.
- Match the pot to the size of the cooking element. The pot should just cover the element. If the pot is larger than the element, more energy will be required to heat the pot. If the pot is smaller than the element, energy is wasted.
- Get rid of those garage sale pans. Pans that are bent or with deformed bottoms don’t make full contact with heating elements and require more energy to heat up.
- Ensure lids fit properly and, when possible, keep them on when cooking. This traps the heat in and allows you to lower the temperature of the element. Doing this can save you up to 20% of the energy required to cook your meal and your food will cook more quickly and evenly.
- Keep the drip pan under the element clean. Don’t line drip pans with aluminum foil as this may reflect heat away from the pot and damage the elements.
- Use the smallest appliance possible for your cooking such as a kettle, crock pot or toaster oven.
- By using your microwave you can save up to 50% of your cooking energy costs compared to using a regular oven.
- Remember, microwaves cook from the outside edge toward the center of the dish, so if you’re cooking more than one item, place larger and thicker items on the outside.
Back to Conservation Tips
|
Dishwashers
- Look for short cycle dishwashers or ones with an econowash feature which use less hot water. About 85% of a dishwasher’s electricity is used to heat the water.
- Look for an energy saver switch that turns off the heating element to let dishes air dry.
- Operate the dishwasher with a full load and use the energy saving cycle.Save hot water by not pre-rinsing the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher - just scrape off food and empty liquids.
- Load dishes according to the manufacturer’s instructions to allow for proper water circulation.
- Clean drains and filters regularly at the bottom of your dishwasher to ensure efficient operation.
- Using your dishwasher can actually be more efficient than washing dishes by hand, assuming you use the dishwasher once every 3 – 4 times you would wash dishes by hand.
Back to Conservation Tips
|
Washing Machines
- Wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot or warm water.
- Look for front-loading washing machines; they’re more energy efficient because they use less hot water.
- Look for washing machine models that offer cold water wash and rinse cycles.Run full loads whenever possible but don’t overload the machine.
- Place your washing machine as close as possible to your hot water tank.Models with water level control and shorter gentle cycles let you wash smaller loads and fine fabrics without a full cycle.
- Check for a ‘permanent press’ cycle on your dryer that tumbles clothes in cooler air for the last 5 – 10 minutes which saves energy and reduces wrinkling.
- If you only do small loads of laundry, consider compact models.
Back to Conservation Tips
|
Dryers
- A time control on your dryer that lets you set the temperature and drying time helps avoid over-drying, which wastes energy and can be hard on fabrics.
- An electronic moisture or temperature sensor that automatically turns off the machine when it senses that clothes are dry is a very energy-wise feature.
- Permanent press or delicate cycles use less energy than the regular cycle.
- Make sure clothes are effectively wrung out before putting them in the dryer. (Front loading washers are the best at getting the water out.)
- Separate loads into heavy, medium and lightweight items – lighter loads will take less drying time than a mixture of items.
- Dry consecutive loads to utilize otherwise wasted heat from the dryer.
- Clean the lint filter after every load. (A clogged filter can increase energy use up to 30% and may be a hazard.)
- Always vent your dryer to the outside of the house. Some people believe that venting into the house saves heat, but it also leads to buildup of moisture, odours and lint. For safety reasons – and by law – natural gas dryers must never be vented inside the home.
- Hang clothes outside when possible instead of using your dryer.
Back to Conservation Tips
|
Home Electronics
- Plug your home entertainment systems into a power bar and turn off the bar when you are not using them. If a piece of electronic equipment is on standby, or has any light on, it’s still drawing power.
- Unplug infrequently used TVs as they continue to draw power even when turned off.
Back to Conservation Tips
|
|