Moose FM CHMT 93.1 - Timmins

With Earth Day coming around this Friday, Hydro One wants to help the public save money and cut down their carbon footprint at the same time. As such, they’ve issued 10 tips that can keep the green in your pocket. Customers can get more information on the programs mentioned along with additional energy savings tips by visiting www.HydroOne.com/SaveEnergy.

Here are 10 easy ways to save energy and money around your home this spring.
▪ Sign up for peaksaver PLUS_® and we'll provide and install a programmable thermostat valued at $250 in your home at no charge. You can program it from home or anywhere you have internet access. 
▪ Depending on how you program your thermostat, you could save up to 10-percent on your year-round heating and cooling costs. 
▪ Retire that old fridge or freezer as it could be a real energy hog. We'll pick it up free of charge and recycle it in an environmentally-friendly way just by contacting us at www.hydroone.com/fridgepickup or (1-877) 797-9473. When buying new appliances make the move to an Energy Star rated appliance and remember to review the EnerGuide label to see how much energy the appliance will use.
▪ Think it's going to be a hot summer? Start thinking about replacing your home's central air conditioner and you could qualify for a cash incentive if you purchase and install a qualifying Energy Star central cooling system from a participating contractor. Visit www.hydroone.com/heatingandcooling for more information.
▪ Electric water heaters can cause electricity use to spike as they refill and heat water. Reduce the amount of hot water you use during peak periods and you'll also reduce the amount of electricity consumed during these times.       
▪ Doing your laundry with cold water can help reduce your hot water use by 25-percent. If shopping for a new washing machine, consider a front-loading unit that is more energy efficient. Using a clothesline to dry clothes will save the considerable energy which a clothes dryer consumes.
▪ Looking for additional ways to reduce your hot water use? Installing an energy-efficient shower head can cut your hot water consumption by up to 30-percent and it won't affect the water's flow.
▪ If part of spring cleaning means cleaning your oven, strike while the oven is still hot! Turn on the oven's self-cleaning function after dinner to reduce the need to heat the oven when you aren't using it. Do it after 7:00pm to take advantage of Off-peak Time-of-Use pricing.
▪ If the ups and downs of spring temperatures have you adjusting your heating all the time, try trapping the warm air inside during a sunny day by opening drapes and closing them in the evening.
▪ As the days get longer, remember to adjust your outdoor light timer so you aren't using energy when you don't need to.
▪ The next time a light bulb burns out, replace it with a CFL or LED bulb. While the initial cost of the bulb itself is a little more, the savings it will provide will be a benefit for years to come. Also, remember to dust your light bulbs. Dirt on the surface of a bulb can absorb up to half of the light and ruin the reflection factor.