Ten Simple, Energy Saving Tips and Projects

By Lowe's Canada

Winter is in full swing which means cold nights, warm fires and increased heating bills. With just a little bit of time and a few basic tools, the following projects can help you reduce energy use and save money.

1. Adjust Thresholds and Door Sweeps:

Check under your doors for spaces. A one-eighth inch gap along the bottom of your front door is equivalent to a four-inch hole in your wall. Most thresholds are adjustable; take the time to make sure yours has a tight fit. Or if it’s not adjustable, replacement parts are available.

2. Add Electrical Outlet Sealers:

Areas behind electrical outlet boxes are frequently neglected when it comes to insulation. Reduce drafts from air leaks behind them by adding foam electrical outlet sealers such as M-D Building Products Wall Plate Sealers (Item #61216, $2.67).

3. Seal Leaky Ductwork:

Leaks in duct systems can mean a loss of over 20 per cent of its heated or cooled air. If ductwork is accessible in your basement or attic, use a silicone sealant designed for ducts to seal gaps around curved seams, and use aluminum tape to seal straight seams. Contrary to its name, duct tape is actually one of the worst materials for sealing ducts because it can quickly degrade.

4. Install an ENERGY STAR Programmable Thermostat:

One study found that when set to lower the temperature by three degrees C at night and by five degrees C during the workday, an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat, such as the Hunter Seven Day Programmable Thermostat (Item #126356, $59.98), can save you up to $150 a year and can cost as little as $40. Be sure to select one that works with your system.

5.Pull Your Chimney Damper Tight:

Although it may seem obvious, making sure your fireplace damper is shut keeps the warm air inside during winter and cool air inside during summer.

6. Lower the Temperature on Your Water Heater:

Heating water beyond 48.8 degrees C can be both unsafe and wasteful. You can easily save money by lowering the temperature setting on your water heater. It’s usually as simple as turning a dial, but if your water heater doesn’t have temperature markings, check the water temperature with a cooking thermometer and gradually adjust the heat by trial and error.

7. Install Dimmer Switches and Motion Detector Lights:

An inexpensive dimmer switch, like the Lutron Skylark 600 Watt Slide Dimmer (Item #70761, $16.98), can lower your utility bill and substantially prolong bulb life. Installing motion detector lights outdoors keeps lights from burning all night long, such as the Heath Zenith 150 Watt Halogen Motion Sensing ENERGY STAR (Item #139809, $29.98). If you already have a non-motion detector fixture, screw-in adapters and independent motion sensors are available.

8. Clean Your Refrigerator Coils:

Take time to clean the coils behind or beneath your refrigerator at least twice a year. Clean coils help the compressor work faster and run less often, saving electricity and giving your appliance a longer life.

9. Change Furnace and Cooking Equipment Air Filters:

A dirty filter will slow down airflow and make the system work harder. Check your filters monthly, especially during winter and summer. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up.

10. Invest in ENERGY STAR Products:

An ENERGY STAR logo on any new appliance, heating and cooling equipment, light fixture and building material assures you that the product uses less energy, saves more money and helps protect the environment better than standard models.

For more on energy saving tips, projects and products, visit Lowes.com/energy.