Fall and Winter Tips for Energy Savings

• Use caulking and weather-stripping to reduce air leakage around windows, doors, baseboards and the attic hatch.
• Have your heating system serviced once a year, before the heating season begins. A improperly working furnace wastes fuel and can endanger your health by releasing carbon monoxide and other gases into your home.
• Windows can account for up to 25 percent of total house heat loss.
• Your windows should have at least two layers of glazing. If necessary, install storm windows (either interior or exterior) to add an extra layer of glazing.
• Use foam gaskets and childproof plugs or combination cover plate units to seal electrical outlets and switches on outside walls.
• Declare war on cold drafts and heat loss. Seal air leaks around doors, windows and the attic hatch.
• Even a well-insulated house, if not properly sealed against air leakage, will lose 30 percent or more of its heat through cracks and crevices in the building shell (outer walls, floor and roof).
• Put holiday lights on a timer to save electricity and money.
• Here are some tips for reducing moisture sources:
  • Avoid drying firewood indoors.
  • Turn on bathroom exhaust fans during a bath or shower.
  • Use a range hood exhaust fan when cooking. Make sure it is vented to the outdoors.
  • Avoid steam cleaning carpets in winter.
  • Cover any exposed earth in the crawl space or basement with heavy polyethylene; seal the plastic and weigh it down.
• Install motion sensors or timers on outdoor lights.
• Ceiling fans in rooms with high ceilings push rising warmer air down to the work area.
• Use an engine block heater in winter when the temperature drops to - 20°C (-4°F) or below. Your engine oil and coolant will stay warm, which makes the vehicle easier to start and can increase winter fuel economy by as much as 10 percent. Use a timer to switch on the heater one or two hours before you plan to drive.
• Your tires need special attention in the winter. Cold temperatures decrease the air pressure in tires, which adds to the rolling resistance caused by snow and slush. Check tire pressure regularly, especially after a sharp drop in temperature.
• Turn down your thermostat when you go to bed, and turn it up again in the morning.
• Have an EnerGuide for Houses evaluation done. A qualified professional will conduct a thorough inspection of your house, identify opportunities for energy savings, and provide a report on how and where you can make improvements.
• To reduce moisture sources inside the home, avoid using humidifiers unless the relative humidity is below 30 percent.

A qualified energy evaluation is a critical step in uncovering a home's energy problems and in planning home improvements. But there are lots of things you can do yourself to cut energy use before bringing in an EnerGuide for Houses expert.

1. Set your thermostat back. For each 4^oC you turn back the thermostat each night, you save up to 10% in energy costs.
   
   
2. Install low-flow showerheads. Efficient showerheads can cut water use by up to 60% compared to conventional fixtures.
   
   
3. Clean or replace your furnace filter. If you have a forced air system, the filter should be cleaned or replaced once a month during the heating season.
   
   
4. Seal heating ducts. If you find a drafty seam, seal it with high-quality duct tape (wide metal duct tape is best) or approved mastic specifically for duct sealing.
   
   
5. Stop cold air blasts from switches and outlets on exterior walls. Install low-cost, high-density foam gaskets and seal them into place with clear caulking.
   
   
6. Attic hatches should be weather-stripped and the back of the hatch insulated as much as possible.
   
   
7. Insulate your hot-water storage tank. Wrap your hot water tank in a thermal blanket and insulate hot water pipes.
   
   
8. If your refrigerator-freezer is more than 20 years old, consider buying a new one. Fridge's today use at least 55 percent less energy than those built in the 1970s.
   
   
9. Keep your dollars from escaping. Weather-strip your doors and windows to keep the cold air out and warm air in.
   
   

10. Stop air conditioning your home year-round. Window air conditioners let in cold air and should be removed for winter.

Air movement and leakage areas in a typical home

Air movement and leakage areas in a typical home

Click on the BCGas Hot Tips Booklet to download a PDF copy