Toronto Real Estate Info

Here are some tips on how you can set up an energy-efficient home, which is both great for the environment and for your monthly bills.

Tour your home and see where you can save. The Internet is a good place to do research (try the Home Depot Energy-Saving Projects as a starter). There are many proactive steps you can take that range in both price and ease to implement, according to Ted Gruetzner, a spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Energy. "Some people take simple steps like making sure they turn off computers and lights, all of which can make a big difference on a long-term basis," he says. "Alternatively, some people look at solutions, like replacing windows or insulation - both will make a larger impact, but are more expensive to implement."

By following some of these room-by-room tips from the Ontario Ministry of Energy's site (Heating and Cooling Your Home), you can implement changes and start putting a dent in your heating and hydro bills.

THE HOME OFFICE AND FAMILY ROOM
Consider energy-efficient computer systems and monitors. Most new computers are now built with power management capabilities. However, you have to manually go into your computer's Control Panel to enable these features, for example setting to Standby or Hibernation. It is better to turn your computer off completely when not in use as this will save more energy in the long run.

Liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors are the most energy-efficient, using 80 to 90 per cent less energy than cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. Energy Star products save up to 75 per cent of the energy that is normally used by other brands.

Shut down your office when it is not in use - this includes fax machines and printers. Inkjet printers use less energy than laser ones.

Unplug TVs that are used infrequently, as many continue to draw power even when turned off.

THE BATHROOM

Fix leaky faucets - dripping taps can add up to 95 litres of water per faucet per month, and cost you an extra 7 kWh per month.

Install water-saving shower heads (found at most hardware stores).

THE KITCHEN

Don't use a bigger pot than you need on the stove and match it to the properly sized element.

Check and clean dishwasher drains and filters regularly to ensure efficient operation.

Avoid using an old, inefficient refrigerator in the basement as a second fridge for occasional refreshments, etc. (It could cost you $150 or more per year in electricity.)

THE LAUNDRY ROOM

Wash your clothes in cold or warm water (85 to 90 per cent of the energy used by washing machines is for heating the water).

Clean the lint filter of your dryer after every load (a clogged lint filter can increase energy use up to 30 per cent and may be a fire hazard).

CONSIDER LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS TO CONSERVE ENERGY
Completed your primary tour of energy-saving and looking for more to do? Steve Snider, a custom home builder for the past 20 years and recent winner (for the second year running) of the 2003 EnerQuality R-2000 Excellence Award for Tightest Home Construction (honouring excellence in the construction of new homes promoting energy efficiency, healthy air quality and the use of environmentally friendly materials), suggests the following tips:

Check that all heating equipment is operating efficiently. Is everything burning/firing clean? Are your filters clean? This maintenance allows air to flow more efficiently through your home. According to Snider, you can "check your ducts for blockage and make sure items like carpets or furniture are away from vents, but for maintenance you will need an outside contractor." Check with your energy providers to see if they have an affordable maintenance plan where this work is done for you.

Assess your insulation. Is it up to date? Is there enough for the size of your home? "Check your attic or do a patch test (cutting into your drywall) to see what kind of insulation you have," says Snider. The two things to look for are the thickness of your insulation and its "R-Value" - the higher the R-Value, the greater its insulation power. "Walls perform better if they have a newer and adequate level of insulation." He adds that most home inspections will tell you the status of the insulation in your home.

Look at window seals and any other areas for drafts. If there is air getting out or coming in, you will need to do some weatherproofing. For tips and illustrations on how to weatherproof your home, click here.

Snider encourages the use of programmable thermostats. "It's a small thing that you can do yourself and it makes a difference." With this device, you can automatically lower temperatures at night and when you're out of the house.

For more tips and tips on creating an energy-efficient home, visit these sites:
City of Toronto
Toronto Hydro
Office of Energy Efficiency
Energy Star Canada
Ontario Ministry of Energy

(Source: MSN House & Home)

Low-Cost Solutions for the Summer

Just because the weather heats up, it doesn't mean your electricity bill has to as well. Here are some tips from Toronto Hydro on how you can stay cool this summer and keep your bills low.

TURN UP THE CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING THERMOSTAT
Adjust your central air conditioning thermostat to a slightly higher temperature - especially when your home is unoccupied. By simply setting your thermostat UP two degrees Celsius, it works less and saves you money.

CLEAN THE FILTER IN YOUR WINDOW AIR CONDITONER
A dirty filter reduces the cooling capacity of your window air conditioner. Remove and clean the filter once a month. It's a simple and inexpensive way to get peak performance and conserve energy.

CLOSE BLINDS AND SHADES
Use window shades and blinds to block heat, particularly if you have windows that receive direct sunlight. Close windows during the day. When it cools down outside, open the windows and let the hot air out and the cool air in.

USE SMALLER APPLIANCES
Microwave ovens, toaster ovens, electric frying pans, electric kettles and other small appliances use less than half the energy of an electric stovetop or oven. They also produce less heat - something to think about on a sweltering hot summer day.

PLUG THE COMPUTER INTO A POWER BAR
Computers and related components use electricity even when they are not in use. Plug each computer component into a power bar that can be shut off to avoid wasting electricity with the "standby" power feature. At a minimum, shut off the computer screen. Your monitor uses 60% of the power used by a computer! (The other 40 per cent is used to keep your hard drive spinning and to power the electronics.)

PLANT TREES TO PROVIDE SHADE
Help reduce summer air conditioning costs by strategically planting leafy (deciduous) trees on the sunny side of your house. In the summer, they provide shade. In the winter, they shed their leaves to let in the sunshine.

INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
A programmable thermostat with a built-in timer lets you turn off the central air conditioner when you leave for the day, and turn it back on before you return. Properly programmed, it can easily pay for itself in the first year! Just think of the savings over five or ten years!

USE CEILING AND FLOOR FANS
Use a fan rather than an air conditioner whenever possible. Fans use very little electricity. They can be used to supplement air conditioning or even as an alternative. Make sure your ceiling fan is blowing air downwards in the summer.

USE INDOOR/OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL TIMERS
Electrical timers are ideal for both energy conservation and home protection. They can be programmed to turn lights on and off to suit your schedule. They can make your residence appear occupied when you're away, or automate outdoor landscape and security lighting.

(Source: Toronto Hydro)

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