Save money and the environment: Tips 6-10
6. Don't drain your savings on water
Your lawn can only absorb 2.5 cm of water at a time, so cutting down on watering time won't affect the look of your lawn. Reduce watering from three hours to one hour and position sprinklers correctly (don't water the driveway) to save up to 4,700 litres of water. When using a hose, attach a spring-loaded nozzle to save 16 litres per minute.
7. Practise green driving
Avoid running your car when it's parked and save 1.4 litres of fuel per hour of idling. Although many feel their vehicle needs time to warm up in the winter, most cars need only 15 to 30 seconds. If every Canadian cut out 10 minutes of idling daily, the country would decrease its carbon dioxide emissions by three million tonnes per year. Save five per cent of your fuel consumption by keeping your tires properly inflated, and an additional five per cent by using your trunk instead of a roof rack.
8. Mind your appliance and vessel sizes while cooking
A good rule of thumb for energy savings in the kitchen is to use the right size for the job. Use smaller appliances like the microwave or toaster oven when you can (a microwave uses 75 per cent less energy than the stove). Using a pot the correct size for the element with a properly fitting lid will also cut back on wasted energy. In the summer, use the barbecue rather than the stove, which will also keep cooling costs down since the kitchen won't get heated from the oven.
9. Don't let your fridge and freezer waste energy
Your fridge and freezer are two appliances that need to be on at all times, and offer some of the best ways to save cash and energy. A fridge needs unobstructed air circulation inside to work better, so don't overfill. The opposite is true for freezers, which work best when full. Check the seal of your fridge door by closing it on a five-dollar bill. If the bill stays in place, your seal is good, if not, you may need to adjust the door or replace the seal. Keep both your fridge and freezer out of direct sunlight and maintain a five-centimetre buffer on all sides to allow heat to escape from the compressor and condensing coil.
10. Use your buying power
Get tips on energy-efficient brands, makes and models of cars, washers, dishwashers, even dehumidifiers through the website of the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada. The Clean Air Consumer Guide is another great tool that offers advice on energy wise decision-making, including tips on the best efficient products.
CAR BUYING TIP: The ministries of finance in Ontario and British Columbia offer their residents a $1,000 rebate on the purchase of qualified electric/gas hybrid vehicles.
Clean air, fresh water and the scenic beauty Canadians love: It's easy to take these things for granted but, with our environment in jeopardy, act now to preserve our natural resources for future generations.
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