Due to our cold climate, heating our homes accounts for roughly 42% of residential energy use in Canada. Like water and electricity, there are a few easy steps you can take to reduce your heating (and cooling). The first and most important is to use your programmable thermostat. Most homes have thermostats that can be programmed, but many do not know how to use them or choose not to (Tip: search the model of your thermostat online and find the manual to learn how to use the programmable settings). Program your thermostat to 15 to 17°C when no one is home and when you go to sleep, and then to climb back up to 18 to 20°C before you get home or wake up. You will hardly notice the difference since it will only cool off when you aren’t home or when you’re asleep. This will have the bonus of helping you sleep better!
Another way to reduce heating is to close your windows during the day in the summer. Most people believe that having their windows open when it’s hot outside will help keep things cool, but the opposite can be true. If it’s hotter outside than inside, closing your windows helps to create a small insulative barrier that will keep things cooler indoors. Just remember to open your windows at night when it cools off. If you’re concerned about airflow, try opening 2 windows on each floor (one east window and one west window works best) to keep air circulating and close the rest.
Also, consider closing your blinds and curtains on hot sunny days and cold winter nights. Closing curtains and drapes when the sun is shining will reduce passive solar radiation within the home, and closing curtains and drapes in winter adds one more insulative barrier that helps keep the heat in. Just remember to keep curtains open during the day in the winter to let in the sun, heating your home and letting the light in, reducing your heating load and the need to turn on the lights.