Press Release
Energy conservation is an important part of Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan, which has set a goal of reducing energy consumption by 7,100 MW by the year 2030.
That is the equivalent of taking more than 2.4 million homes off the grid.
Ontario families can help manage their energy use this winter by following some simple conservation tips:
•Install a programmable thermostat
When properly set, a thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10 percent.
Set your thermostat to 20°C when you’re at home and 18°C when sleeping or away.
•Protect against drafts
Install weatherstripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches, and air conditioners.
Reducing drafts can save up to 30 percent a year on heating costs.
•Flip your furnace filter
Change your furnace filter monthly. It’s also a good idea to have your furnace serviced by a professional every year to ensure it is running at maximum efficiency.
•Go off-peak
Take advantage of lower energy prices during off-peak hours. Run your dishwasher, washer, and dryer early in the morning, in the evening, or on weekends when electricity rates are lowest.
•Unplug it
Be sure to unplug electronic items not in use. Devices like computers, TVs, and cellphone chargers continue to consume small amounts of electricity unless they are unplugged.
Try plugging these items into a power bar with a switch or timer, so you easily can turn them off when they are not needed.
•Lock in the heat
Block heat from entering unused areas of your house, like a storage room or crawlspace, by closing doors.
Keep closet doors shut, too.
•Opt for efficient lighting
When it’s time to replace a light bulb, choose energy-efficiency compact florescent lights (CFLs, LEDs) rather than incandescent ones.
•Let the sun shine in
During the day, keep your curtains open to draw in sunlight. Solar energy can help naturally warm your home.
•Clean your fridge coils
Be sure to regularly brush or vacuum your refrigerator coils to make them more energy-efficient.
•Ditch the drip
Make an effort to quickly repair leaky faucets. Even a small drip can waste litres of water per month and add to your water heating costs.
Building a clean energy system that supports healthier families, a healthier environment, and a healthier economy is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to create and support jobs for Ontario families while ensuring we have the electricity we need to power our homes, schools, hospitals, and our economy.
“Small actions can go a long way in helping Ontario families manage electricity use and cut energy costs,” said Energy minister Chris Bentley.
“It’s important to remember that the least expensive type of energy is the energy we don’t use.
“Conservation is an important part of the government’s plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a clean, reliable modern electricity system,” he added.
Through conservation, Ontario homeowners, businesses, and industry have achieved more than 1,700 MW of energy savings since 2005.
That’s the equivalent of more than 500,000 homes being taken off the grid.
The Ontario Clean Energy Benefit is helping Ontario families, farms and small businesses by taking 10 per cent off of all electricity bills for the next five years.
Through the Long-Term Energy Plan, Ontario is committed to increasing wind, solar, and bio-energy from less than one percent of generation capacity in 2003 to almost 13 percent by 2030—an increase of more than 400 percent.
