Winter is on its way, so it's time for you to prepare for months of bundling up and hunkering indoors. As the days get shorter and colder, you will require more heating to keep your house warm, and your lights will be left on for longer periods, leading to higher energy consumption at home and bigger energy bills.
To help you manage the high energy usage season, here are some tips on how you can have more control over your bill and save energy in the winter:
With regular billing, your energy bill goes up during high-usage months and down in low-usage months. To protect yourself from high bill season, our new Average Billing payment option allows you to pay a rolling average monthly amount, spreading your energy costs throughout the year and making it more manageable.
The first place you may want to look when thinking about saving energy in the winter is the source of heat in your home – your furnace. Ensuring it's running properly and efficiently may help you conserve energy during these cold winter months. Some steps to think about include:
How to save energy in the winter is as much about avoiding energy waste as it is about using energy efficiently. Consider only heating the main areas of your home while it's cold:
Another way to make sure that you're maximizing your energy efficiency in winter is by controlling and making the most of the internal airflow in your home.
Deciding how to save energy throughout winter requires paying attention to all the heat producers in your home, like your fireplace and chimney. The following ideas may help conserve energy:
Doors and windows allow air to travel in and out, even after you've closed them. The following steps may help you save energy when it's cold:
People have used rugs and textiles for centuries to warm themselves and their homes during winter. This is also an idea for how to save energy in the winter.
Canadians rely heavily on electrical lighting during the long, dark winter nights. Help conserve energy by installing automatic timers, motion sensors, dimmers and solar cells at your house.
Adding a humidifier to your heating system may allow you to turn your thermostat down and be comfortable at lower temperatures. PS: Aquariums and houseplants can add humidity too.
We provide the tips above as suggestions for general best practices. However, actual results may vary. While you peruse our ideas on saving energy in the winter, remember that every home is different. You will need to consider your unique situation and tailor our tips accordingly. Take note of the layout of your home and what vulnerabilities to the cold exist, and eventually, use energy tips that may make a difference for you.