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January 28, 2010

Can you do 10 energy-saving changes by March 31st?

Posted by Nola Poirier

Sometimes it's hard to know where to begin. There's climate change, species extinction, habitat loss, pollution, – I only wish this sentence had an end. Then there's you. And me.

Maybe we think we don't have much money, or time, not enough of the right kind of knowledge, or power, or influence. It can seem like there are too many things we don't have for us to make a difference. But each of us actually can make a difference. Because if our actions can have negative consequences, then it follows they can also have potent positive results.

OK, I know, I sound a bit too enthusiastic, like any minute I might break out some pompoms and give a couple of high kicks while my pigtails twirl. That's probably not the kind of thing you feel you can relate to if you're holding down three jobs while going to school part-time, trying to grow your own food, and living in a house-in-progress that's full of untrained dogs your fostering for the SPCA. But I actually do get it. I really do.

Having a long hot shower can feel like your only escape. But take it from me: it isn't.

The challenge: 10 changes by March 31

As a starting point, I've put together a few DIY energy-saving tips. Many of these can be done by renters as well as homeowners, some can be accomplished by kids, and most have very little cost attached. Like the little challenges I set for myself from time to time, I'm giving this one to you:

I challenge you to have made 10 of these tips part of your life by March 31. Pick any 10 of these that you aren't already doing, and start making a difference. I don't have any prizes to hand out at the end, but nonetheless, I feel confident you'll find the challenge rewarding. If you can 't find 10 you aren't already doing, check out the BC Hydro Green Your Home Guide for more ideas.

Heating

  • Turn the heat down by a couple of degrees and put on slippers or a sweater.
  • Turn the heat down overnight and while you are out. A programmable thermostat is a great, and not very expensive, way to automate heat control.
  • Line your curtains, or use thick curtains, to keep out the cold air from around windows. Even the most efficient windows are still way colder than insulated wall. These work well in summer too for blocking heat.
  • Use window coverings effectively. Close them overnight in winter. And remember to open coverings on sunny windows during the day to take advantage of free solar heat and light.

Hot water

Lighting

  • Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Every time. Just start doing it.
  • Move your lamps into the corners of your rooms. The light will shine off two walls and cast more deeply into the room.
  • Make your lighting adjustable for different tasks and times of day.
  • Use LED or CFL bulbs instead of incandescents.

Food

  • Use the smallest appliance you can. Don't use an oven when a toaster oven would do.
  • Don't use a toaster oven when a toaster would do.
  • Cook a few meals when you have the oven on, then freeze them for later.
  • Ensure your fridge seal is working well and the back of the fridge is clean. While you're at it, clean out all those mystery foods that no one's going to eat.
  • Keep your freezer full. When it's not full of food, fill containers with water and freeze those. It will run more efficiently.
  • Thaw food in the fridge, don't put warm food in the fridge, and keep it covered.

Clothes drying

  • Hang clothes to dry. Avoid hanging laundry on wet days and watch out for moisture build up in your home.
  • When you do use a dryer, use a couple of dryer balls, even clean tennis balls will do, to fluff the laundry and help it dry faster.
  • Set the dryer timer for 10 minutes less and hang laundry to finish drying. This not only saves energy, it reduces shrinkage and wrinkling.
  • Put a dry towel in the dryer to absorb moisture and get things dry faster.

Electronics

  • Unplug cell phone chargers once the phone is charged.
  • Unplug computers and peripherals (or put them on a power bar, or a smart strip, and just turn off everything with one flick of a button).
  • Unplug televisions, stereos, video games and all other electronics when not in use. If you have power bars or smart strips, this is easier as you can turn all peripherals off with a single switch.

So when you come home to whatever your version of three jobs and a house of dogs is, if you still feel a long shower is the only place you can find peace, then install a low flow showerhead, turn the temperature down on your hot water tank, wrap your tank in an insulating blanket and spend at least part of the time not running water. Try perching on the vanity with a good book.

Oh, and I couldn't resist: Go! Go! Go! Geeeeeeett Power Smart.

Nola Poirier is a regular contributor to Unplug This Blog! and bchydro.com's Green Guides.

 

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