5 Ways How to Reduce Electricity Consumption at Home

If you live in Ontario, you may have noticed your hydro costs increasing –and it doesn’t look like that’s about to change any time soon. So, what can you do about it? If you have older heating, ventilation, or air conditioning systems, you may need to look into the options provided by Smile HVAC. From replacing your current model, or providing furnace repair services in Vaughan and the GTA, they’ll have you covered.

Whether you want to reduce your hydro bill or need to consider upgrading your current home systems and appliances, we’ve got you covered with these five ways to reduce your electricity consumption.

Optimize Your Furnace

Properly maintaining your furnace is an important way to reduce your electricity consumption. You definitely want your furnace to function properly –especially when winter hits! Get your annual checkups done to get the most bang for your buck with your current furnace. That way, your technician can ensure everything is running smoothly, and your furnace does its job: Keeps your home warm while it’s cold outside. Improperly maintained units could play a big role in your household energy consumption. Older units, especially, may require more attention as they tend to be less energy-efficient than newer models.

You can also ensure your furnace filters are changed regularly. If it’s done every three months, your unit should run efficiently. If you can’t remember the last time you changed your filters, this should be the first thing you do. Otherwise, your filter could be clogged with dust or debris, making the unit work harder. A properly running furnace with a clean filter can increase your chances of reducing your electricity.

Furnace Repair Service is very important if you want to save money over your electricity bills.

4 Ways to Reduce Electricity Consumption at Home

1. Watch Your Water

Time and time again, we hear the same things regarding Reduce Electricity Consumption: Turn off the lights when you’re not in the room; take shorter showers, and keep the faucet off when brushing your teeth or shaving. All of these are excellent tips that work to ensure you’re keeping consumption low. But that’s not where it should end.

Check your faucets, toilets, and general plumbing for leaks. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer who wants to make sure their appliances are running properly; or a frustrated homeowner who can’t fathom why their energy use is so high, this is a great place to start. A dripping faucet is a bigger deal than you might think. All that water ends up forgotten everywhere but your energy bill. A leak in your toilet can amount to up to 20,000 liters of water per day, which can cost you $2,444.10 each month.

Looking for leaks in your home is easier than you think. First, turn off your water both inside and outside. Then, check out the red triangle on your water meter. If it’s moving, you have a leak. If it’s your toilet you’re worried about, simply place a couple of drops of food coloring into the tank and wait. If the color makes its way into your toilet bowl, you have a leak and should call a plumber.

2. Invest in a Water Softener

Even if you did everything mentioned in step two, one of the best ways to ensure you’re efficiently using water is by investing in a water softener. Without one, you can get mineral buildup in your pipes. If you’ve noticed your clothing looking a little duller, your skin feeling drier, or your dishes having water spots, you may want to look into buying a water softener.

Aside from the personal benefits, a water softener can allow your appliances to run more efficiently –this includes your washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater. That’s because hard water buildup narrows the space for water to pass through your pipes, which means that your water pressure increases. When that happens, you’ll likely need to increase your water heater temperature, which means that your consumption rate rises. This, in turn, leads to your machines running more efficiently, therefore reducing your overall water consumption. As a bonus, it’ll leave you spending less time replacing these appliances, and detergents!

3. Get Smart

There have been so many advances in technology, so why not update your home? From smart thermostats to smart HVAC systems, updating your appliances can help with reducing your consumption rates. When updating your home, it’s easy to be deterred by the initial dollar amount. The important thing to focus on is the long-term. Energy Star-certified smart products can reduce your energy consumption rates by a minimum of 8%. It’s a win-win: Have a more efficiently run home, and save money while you’re at it!

When thinking of making the switch to smart HVAC systems, you’ll have to consider the pros and cons. Though it may take some time for you to see your return on investment, your consumption rates will significantly improve with these systems. Not to mention the ease of using their “set it and forget it” features.

4. Prevent Phantom Power

Simply having something plugged into your outlets –whether or not they are in use –can contribute to your energy consumption. This is called “phantom” power. According to Hydro One, phantom power accounts for 10% of the average energy consumption per home and could cost you an extra $150 each year. The easiest way to cut this cost is by making sure your phone chargers, gaming systems, and other electronics are unplugged when not in use. Another option is to buy power bars with timers to allow for optimal efficiency.