WINTER POWER SAVING TIPS

Keep Warm This Winter and Save Money too!

Winter time is fast approaching and here are some tips to keep us warm and to save money at the same time. Federal government provides assistance to improve our home's energy efficiency (Home Improvement Tax Credit), so there's no better time than to make this simple home improvement.

Furnace

• Schedule annual maintenance for your furnace now. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency, it will use less energy and cost less to operate.
  

• Clean or replace your furnace filter every one to two months. A dirty filter reduces airflow and forces your furnace to run longer to heat your home.

Thermostat

• Pile on the blankets. Lower your thermostat by four to five degrees Celcius at night when you're sleeping and when no one is at home.


• Install a programmable thermostat so you don't have to remember to lower the temperature. It's done automatically when you preset it.

Windows, Doorframes, Sills and Joints

• Stop those cold air drafts. On a windy day, identify leaks around windows, electrical outlets, vents and exterior doors.
  

• Apply a sealant around windows, doorframes, sills and joints where there are drafts.
  

• Use plastic window covers to prevent heat loss.
  

• Keep return air grills and heating vents clear of furniture, rugs and drapes so they don't interfere with heat flow through your home.