Discover the power of energy conservation — by taking simple steps, you can save money, while also contributing to a cleaner environment. You will enjoy the benefits month after month, year after year.

You have the power to help control your electricity bill by controlling how much energy — how many kWhs — your household or business consumes. You can do so both by using lower wattage devices and reducing the time each device is operated. The Big Picture[bul]Use energy-saver settings.

[bul]Keep all appliances and electronic equipment clean and properly maintained

[bul]Choose the right equipment for the job. Don’t use appliances that deliver more than you need, excessively using energy.

[bul]When building or remodelling, do so with energy conservation in mind.Save Naturally [bul]Turn off the stove and use the outdoor barbecue.

[bul]Dry clothes outdoors on a line or rack.

[bul]Open windows and doors to cool without air conditioning.

[bul]Take advantage of daylight; don’t use lights when you don’t need them.

[bul]In winter let sunlight warm rooms, but in summer, use white curtains, blinds or shades to reflect light away from windows.

[bul]Plant trees, shrubs and vines to reduce heat build-up on buildings and air conditioning units (air conditioning units use less energy operating in shade than in full sun).>Lighting[bul]Keep dust and dirt off of bulbs and fixtures to improve efficiency.

[bul]Use dimmer switches to control the amount of light you use and don’t turn on more lights than you actually need.

[bul]Use energy saving lightbulbs.Cooling[bul]Use ceiling fans to cool and circulate air; they consume as little energy as a 60-watt bulb.

[bul]Don’t put your air conditioner on a colder setting when first turning it on. This wilI>not cool the room faster, but w<$> result in excessive, more expensive cooling.

[bul]Keep air conditioning at 78o F; close off unoccupied areas to avoid using excess energy; clean filters regularly.

[bul]Check for holes or cracks around windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, ceilings and walls that can leak air, as well as open fireplace dampers; seal all openings.

[bul]Don’t place lamps, TVs or other electronic equipment near air conditioners; they will detect heat from equipment and run longer than needed.Appliances [bul]Do only full loads.

[bul]Open the dishwasher door to let dishes air dry, rather than heat dry.

[bul]Install the dishwasher away from the refrigerator. A dishwasher’s heat and moisture make the fridge work harder. If they must be adjacent, a sheet of foam insulation can reduce heat.

[bul]Use cold water in your washing machine; set water level to the size of the load to save water and energy; wash on “delicate” instead of “regular”, so the motor won’t work as hard.

[bul]Don’t over dry clothes; separate heavy items from light to use the machine more efficiently; dry loads consecutively to take advantage of heat build-up; clean lint trap after every .Water heaters & water use[bul]Insulate water heaters and hot water pipes to help them work more efficiently.

[bul]Lower the thermostat on your water heater; 120o F is comfortable for most uses (130o F for some dishwashers); make sure setting complies with manufacturers’ requirements for water heater and appliances.

[bul]To save on using water and heating it, reduce the flow. Energy-efficient aerators on faucets and showerheads reduce flow significantly, but mix air with water to preserve pressure. (Don’t confuse energy-efficient aerators with standard screen aerators, which don’t reduce flow.)

lUse cold water whenever you can.

[bul]Consider installing solar water heas.Refrigerators[bul]Maintain fridge and freezer at the right temperatures; fridge 38|0xb0|-42|0xb0|F, freezer 0|0xb0|-5|0xb0|F to minimise energy consumption; running colder consumes more energy.

[bul]Vacuum the refrigerator’s condenser coils at least once a year to improve efficiency.

[bul]Do not leave the refrigerator door open.

[bul]A full fridge or freezer works best because food retains cold better than air; but don’t overcrowd because cold air must circulate.

[bul]Let foods cool before refrigerating. Don’t put open liquids in the fridge, as moisture causes refrigerators to work harder. CookinglDefrost foods before cooking. Don’t boil more water than you need and do put lids on to speed heating. Use pressure cookers or microwave ovens to reduce cooking time. Use an electric pan or toaster oven for small meals rather than a full stove to save energy.

lPreheat the oven for as short a time as possible; avoid opening the oven door while food is cooking.

[bul]On electric ranges, turn burners off several minutes before the allotted cooking time; heating elements will stay hot long enough to finish cooking; the same applies to thven.Information provided by Belco