More information on energy use and savings…
DID YOU KNOW? (page 1 of 2)
- Three quarters of the planet’s energy is generated by the burning of fossil fuels
- Enough sunlight reaches the earth every minute to satisfy the planet’s energy demands for an entire year
- Every Google search releases approximately 0.2g of carbon into the atmosphere
- 30% of the Energy used in office buildings is wasted energy
- Lighting accounts for 20% of Canada’s energy consumption
- America accounts for nearly half of the world’s gasoline consumption
- Nearly 800 million gallons of gasoline are burned every day
DID YOU KNOW? (page 2 of 2)
- Canada has the second greatest volume of oil reserves in the world
- Canada uses 2.5% of the world’s total oil and fuel
- Gas and utility prices in Nunavut haven’t changed since 2009
- Canada is the fifth largest energy producer in the world
- More than 40% of all energy produced in Canada is used for heating
- If every Canadian changed their five most used light fixtures to ENERGY STAR products we would collectively save around $3 billion per year in energy costs
Household Energy Tips (page 1 of 2)
- Use your microwave, toaster oven, or crock pot instead of your oven. Ovens use large amounts of energy and this could save you money
- Fix your leaking faucet. If your faucet drips continuously get it fixed and save on energy bills
- Air dry dishes instead of using the heat dry selection
- Only 10% of energy used by an incandescent lightbulb creates light. The rest goes to generating heat, that’s why switching to LED’s is more efficient
- When your desktop computer is turned off but plugged in it uses 80 watts per day
- Your microwave uses 1/3 of the energy that your oven uses
- Properly placing trees around your house you can save up to $250 a year in energy costs
- Carpets and rugs cut down on heating costs by retaining heat better than hardwood or tile
- The right type of bulb for your fixture you can increase the lifespan of your light ten times
Household Energy Tips (page 2 of 2)
- All of the dust collecting on the coils on the back of your fridge is actually increasing your energy usage by making it more difficult for your fridge to operate
- The fuller your fridge and freezer, the less energy it uses
- You can increase energy efficiency by using copper bottomed pots and pans
- 80-90% of the energy used by your washing machine goes to heating the water
- A front loading washing machine uses only 60% of the water a top loading machine uses, as well as only half the energy
- Cleaning your filters and drains in your dishwasher can greatly improve its energy efficiency
- Your car is most fuel efficient when driven at speeds between 80 and 100 km/h
- Driving with an open window can decrease your fuel efficiency by 20%
- Aggressive driving lowers your fuel efficiency by up to 31%
Useful Websites & Programs
- efficiencyns.ca – lots of information and a wide range of opportunities for residents and businesses
- homewarming.ca – no-charge energy assessments and home upgrades to eligible Nova Scotians
- cleanenergyfinancing.ca – low interest rate energy upgrade financing through the municipality for homeowners in Bridgewater and the District of Lunenburg
- www.nspower.ca/en/home/for-my-home/heating-solutions/default.aspx – on-bill energy upgrade financing available through Nova Scotia Power
- www.nspower.ca/en/home/about-us/todayspower.aspx# – real-time information on Nova Scotia’s electrical production