When the dog days of summer hit, we’re always looking for ways to beat the heat.
But we want to do so in a responsible way, keeping energy efficiency top of mind—and, ideally, minding our wallets while we’re at it.
The following tips can help Greater Sudbury residents conserve energy and save money this summer.
How to be energy efficient:
1. Use air conditioning sparingly
Air conditioning uses a lot of electricity, and generating energy produces greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Instead of air conditioning, try this:
- A more efficient way to stay cool is to use fans including handheld fans. Remember that ceiling fans push air up or down, depending on the direction of spin. In the summer, it is best to push the air down to create a breeze.
- Open windows when it's cooler outside than inside, especially at night and early morning, and close them when the sun is shining directly in.
- Use curtains or blinds to block sunlight during the day. This one small action can block up to 65 per cent of the heat that enters through the windows, according to the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.
- Set your thermostat 2 C or 3 C warmer when you’re not home.
Did you know? Fans don’t cool the air. They just move the air around. Use your fan like a pro:
- Use a fan to bring in cooler air through a window in the early morning and overnight.
- Place a dish of ice cubes in front of a fan for a cooling effect.
- Cool down by placing towels dipped in cool water on your neck or underarms and rest in front of a fan.
Other ways to beat the heat include taking a cool bath or shower, staying hydrated with water, and taking a break from the hot weather by visiting an air-conditioned space like a library or shopping mall.
These tips will have your air conditioning working less and can save you money on your energy bill.
2. Take advantage of the nice weather and rely less on your appliances
Why not hang your clothes outside to dry in the sun instead of running your dryer? Harness the power of the wind while conserving energy and protecting the environment. Drying your clothes outside on a rack or clothesline offers several benefits including extending the life of your clothes, brightening and disinfecting them.
Alternate: Instead of running a dryer, harness the power of the sun and wind to dry your clothes on a rack or clothesline. Drying your clothes outdoors extends their life, while the sunlight whitens and disinfects them, and it conserves energy.
Enjoy more meals that don’t require the stove or oven. Cook outdoors more often and consider embracing no-cook dinner ideas. They save time and effort, take advantage of the season’s bounty, won’t generate extra heat in your home and can introduce more variety into your diet. For inspiration, try some of these low- or no-cook summer meal ideas from Canadian Living, CBC Life, and Ricardo Cuisine.
2. Switch to Energy Star products
Energy Star products are an effective way to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Look for the Energy Star label on appliances, heating and cooling equipment, windows and doors, electronics and lighting to ensure you use less energy and save money on future energy bills.
Watch this EarthCare Minute about Energy Star products.
3. Unplug to avoid phantom power loss
Leaving appliances and gadgets plugged in 24/7 comes at a cost to the planet and your bottom line. Many items around the home continue to draw power when they are plugged in, even if they aren’t being used. You can recoup roughly 15 percent of your energy bill simply by unplugging them.
Learn more about phantom power in this EarthCare minute.
4. Plant some trees
How you landscape your yard can help keep your energy costs down and make your yard more environmentally friendly. Planting trees near your home can help shade it in the summer and protect it from wind in the winter. For many, this can look like planting deciduous trees (ones that lose their leaves), such as maples, on the south side of their home; they block the sun when it’s hot and allow sunlight when it’s cold.
According to Ontario’s Hydro One, if the average Ontario home added three well-placed trees, it could cut air conditioning needs by 40 percent and heating needs by up to 10 percent. That’s an astounding payoff for a modest investment—one that will also benefit the environment for decades.
Did you know that you can even improve the efficiency of your air conditioner by providing shade for it? Planting a tree or a shrub nearby can boost its efficiency by up to 10 per cent.
Reach out to a local landscaping professional for tips tailored to your property.
How to save money:
These days we’re all looking for ways to save money.
Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, with support from the provincial government, recently partnered, launching the new Home Renovation SavingsTM program. It makes improving home energy efficiency and comfort a lot easier for Ontarians.
“Energy efficiency starts with the small, everyday choices each of us makes. When communities take these steps together, the collective impact can be remarkable and help create a more sustainable Sudbury for all of us. If you’re planning a renovation, new construction, or considering an HVAC upgrade, we invite you to connect with Enbridge Gas. Our conservation programs are here to support you every step of the way,” says Mary Sye, Municipal Energy Advisor, Enbridge Gas.
Sudbury Hydro, or Greater Sudbury Utilities (GSU), is also helping homeowners save money over the coming months on energy and home retrofitting.
Also through Save on Energy, homeowners can take advantage of the following:
- Home Renovation Savings Program: This provides rebates of up to 30% for energy efficiency renovations and improvements, such as new windows, doors, insulation, air sealing, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and newly added rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems. This includes propane and oil-heated homes.
- Energy Affordability Program: This offers energy-savings products and upgrades, at no cost to income-qualified households.
- Peak Perks: During peak demand periods, smart thermostats will be briefly and time-limited adjusted to reduce consumption during hot summer days. Customers who enroll receive a $75 prepaid credit card and an additional $20 prepaid credit card for each year enrolled in the program.
Participating in these programs can boost energy conservation and help fight climate change. Small changes to your daily electricity use can yield big gains, both personally and for the environment.
Learn more about the City of Greater Sudbury and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and helping the community achieve its net-zero goal by 2050.
If you have a project you’d like the City to highlight, contact Jennifer Babin-Fenske at [email protected].
SOURCES
- ¹https://www.science.org/content/article/when-is-it-too-hot-use-fan
- Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines - How to save energy this summer
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- EarthCare - More tips on keeping cool