When you own a home there are many ways you can save energy. The first thing to look at is your Heating and Cooling System. The fact is that heating and cooling your home is around 60% of your energy costs!

If you install ceiling fans and use them in conjunction with air conditioning you will save energy. Just make sure it is blowing air downwards in the hot months. To save more you can install a programmable thermostat with a built in timer. It can be set to lower the heat at night and if you are away. When you leave your home turn off your air conditioner. Here are more tips:

-reduce the temperature in your home a few degrees at night and when you’re not there.

-keep the blinds and drapes closed during the hottest part of the day.

-use area rugs on cold floors, cold feet make your body cold!

-put on a sweater rather then turning up the heat.

-clean and replace furnace air filters every month

-keep the temp at 24-25 degrees Celsius instead of the low 20’s. Every degree below 26 degrees Celsius will increase the electricity.

-turn off any unneeded lights in your home.

-plant some leafy trees on the sunny side of the house and they will give shade in the summer and warmth in the winter. Pine and fir trees are good for this energy saving tip.

The Water Heater in your home can waste energy so shower for only 5 minutes. You can also wrap your tank in a special blanket. Fix any leaky faucets and install low flow aerators.

Drain a pail of water from you natural gas tank every 3 months to remove sediment and prevent heat transfer from your unit. Water heaters are notorious for using the most energy in the home! Along with that is the fridge. Make sure you clean out the freezer and defrost regularly. Get an Energy Star model if you are buying new. Here are more tips:

-set the temp for just as cold you need it.

-never has a fridge in the basement.

-never overfill the fridge, it blocks circulation. However, a full freezer works better than an empty one.

-check the seal on the door.

-clean the coils and air intake grill every 3 months.

-keep out of direct sun and keep 5 centimetres all around for heat to escape.

-let hot foods cool before putting them in the fridge.

When it comes to your oven it is an energy eater. You should keep lids on pots to keep the heat in and use an electric kettle to boil water.

-thaw frozen foods in the fridge

-never put foil on the racks

-turn the oven off before cooking time is over it will continue to cook.

-use the right pot and element.

Using the microwave can save you 75% less energy!

We all use our washers and dryers often but there are ways to cut down the energy bill. Try using cold water in the rinse cycle. You can run full loads instead of smaller ones and wash in cold or warm water. The energy comes from heating the water.

Try using cold or warm water for the wash cycle instead of hot water. The hot water will in fact shrink and fade your clothes more easily. When it comes to the dryer make sure the clothes are wrung out. Separate the loads into heavy, medium and light so they take less drying time. Dry loads one after the other to avoid wasted heat.

Always clean out your link filter. It increases the energy by as much as 30% and it could pose a fire hazard! You can always line dry in the nicer months.

When it’s time to sell your Brampton house consider hiring a Brampton real estate agent that charges 1% real estate commission for full service.