Energy Saving Tips

Heating & Cooling

Heating and cooling your home accounts for about 60% of your energy costs. During the hot summers and cold winters, there is a high demand for electricity. This strain on Ontario’s system increases the chances of outages. Here are a few tips on how you can help.

Summer:

• Turn air conditioners off when not home.
• Set your thermostat to 25 degrees Celsius or higher.
• Use a fan instead of an air conditioner when possible.
• Close all blinds on the sunny side of your home to keep the heat out.
• If there is a cool breeze at night, turn the air conditioner off and open the window.
• Let the sun heat your pool during the day.
• Turn lights off when leaving the room.
• Use a microwave or outdoor barbeque instead of the stove.
• Dry clothes by hanging them outside.
• Shower and wash/dry your clothes early in the morning or late at night.

Winter:

• Turn down your thermostat a few degrees at night.
• Open blinds on the sunny side of your home to let the heat in.
• Keep your furnace air filter clean.
• Make sure your home is well insulated - keeps the heat in during winter and the heat out during summer.
• Check the caulking around windows and doors – heating the outdoors costs a lot.

| Heating & Cooling | Appliances | Lighting | Going Away?| Conservation Facts | Oakville Hydro CDM Plan (PDF) |