Stay Warm at Home - Energy Efficiently

By Kari Kylo, BC Hydro Power Smart

During the cool month of February, stay warm and save money by making these small changes to your home:

• Put on a sweater and/or use a blanket, and lower your thermostat by at least 1ºC. Set your thermostat no higher than 21ºC for heating, and when you are sleeping or away set the heat to 16ºC.

• Install a programmable thermostat. This will automatically lower the heat at night and adjust the temperature in the morning.

• Stop warm air from leaking outside by using inexpensive seals to caulk and plug air leaks in your home. Fit dampers into fireplaces, block unnecessary vents, and consider weather-stripping all doors and windows. Besides reducing heat loss by 5 – 10 per cent, you will be much more comfortable.

• Maintain your furnace or boiler and use up to 10 to 15 per cent less energy. 

• Use your windows to your advantage in the winter during sunny days. Open your curtains or blinds during the day and let the sun heat up your home.

• Insulate your basement and attic walls and lower your energy bills by up to 30 per cent.

• If you are renovating or building a new home, choose ENERGY STARlabeled windows. They are the most energy-efficient windows on the market and will lower your heating and cooling costs by up to 7 per cent a year. 

To learn more about ways to conserve energy in everyday life, as well as BC Hydro’s Power Smart residential programs such as mail-in rebates, ENERGY STAR® windows, PST exemptions and Power Smart New Homes, visit www.bchydro.com/powersmart.