In Part 1, we looked at how to save money and electricity with the major appliances in your household, like washers, dryers, dishwashers, and fridges. In the rest of our series, we will be talking about:

• Part 2: More Ways to Save on Your Household Electricity Bill (Heating & Cooling)
• Part 3: Tips to Save on Your Household Electricity Bill (Electronics & Lighting)
• Part 4: How Your Hydro Company Helps You to Save Electricity & Money
• Part 5: How to Save Money on Your Household Bills & What to Do with it Once You’ve Started Saving

How to Save Money & Electricity with Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling costs add up to about 23% of your household electricity spending. For an average household, that’s $30 to $60 per month. Don’t let your electricity bill get you heated. Use these tips to save money and cool down:

Furnace – Tips To Save Money While Heating Your Home

Here are tips to save money with your furnace and heat up in ways you may not have thought of:

• Want an excuse to cuddle in bed? For every degree you turn down the thermostat, you will save 2% on your heating bill. Schedule your thermostat to go down while you’re out of the house and while you sleep.
• Programmable thermostats can save you approximately $180 in electricity costs every year by creating a schedule for the temperature in your home. Those with the “smart” feature allow you to control the temperature from any location, as long as you have the application installed on your computer or smart phone.
• In an older home, up to 40% of the heat is lost due to air leakage. Weather stripping, caulking, and window film will stop drafts, as well as the money leaking out of your bank account.
• On sunny days, let the sunshine heat your place instead of the furnace by opening south-facing blinds and curtains.

Air Conditioner – Bring Down the Cost of Your Electricity Bill

Is the amount due on your electricity bill getting you heated? Use your air conditioner or these other solutions to cool down and save:

• Put the temperature of your house at 25°C and see if you can handle it. Then test your limits and push it up another degree to 26°C. Every time you push the temperature 1 degree over 25°C, you save about 10% on your cooling costs.
• Still can’t figure out how to use that ceiling fan? Spin it counter-clockwise to cool yourself and use less air conditioning.
• Buy energy saving curtains to keep the heat from the sunlight out of your house during those hot days. In the winter, they’ll keep the heat in the house too!

Hot Water Tanks – Ways to Save Without Taking Cold Showers

Tempted to time showers just to save money on hot water? If you use electricity to heat your hot water tank, these tips may go over better than cold showers:

• Install an aerator or low-flow faucet in your kitchens and bathrooms to save water and money.
• Turn your hot water tank temperature down. Lowering it by 5°C can save you 3% on your electricity bill and extend its life.

Save Money on Your Household Electricity Bill with Small Changes to Your Furnace, Air Conditioner and Hot Water Tank

Small changes to the way you use your furnace, air conditioner, and hot water tank can help you save money on your electricity bill in a huge way. Even a low-cost purchase like an aerator or caulking could save you hundreds of dollars over the next few years. Consider what short-term investment you’re willing to make to guarantee a long-term return on your energy bill.

The savings don’t stop here! In Part 1, we shared tips to save money with your major appliances, and in the next part of our 5-part series, we will reveal simple ways to save money and electricity with electronics and lighting.

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