Energy-Saving Tips around the house

• Insulating film (shrink-wrap) can be taped over windows and sealed air-tight with a hairdryer to eliminate drafts and keep heat from escaping.

• A more effective approach than insulating film is to seal cracks around windows by caulking. You can do yourself or have your landlord do it.

• Turn the thermostat down at night and throw on extra blankets.

• Ask your landlord to install a programmable thermostat so you can control the temperature of your house throughout the day.

• Make sure old fireplaces are sealed off so heat doesn’t escape.

• Install compact fluorescent lamps. They use about 75 per cent less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb and produce the same high-quality light. For instance, a 15 watt CFL will produce the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent bulb.

• Never run a load of laundry half empty. It draws almost the same amount of electricity as a full load.

• Wash clothes with cold water and hang them to dry.

• Google the wattage of your appliances so you know how much energy you’re consuming.

—By Sierra Yanush

Source: Kingston Environmental Advisory Forum

All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s)-in-Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Skip to content