Energy Saving Ideas - Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping method is to prevent from air leak through gaps around the house, mainly doors and windows.

For the weatherstripping to be effective, all the gaps must be closed completely. The weatherstripping material should be flexible in order to spring back to its original shape when opening and closing doors.

Apply weatherstripping to the tops and sides of any door frame in your house. Try V-shaped weatherstripping because it maintains good seal for warped doors or uneven openings. The V-shaped weatherstripping is like wedge.

Look for special weatherstripping for doors, because it must withstand constant opening and closing cycle, must withstand changing temperatures, and moisture caused by temperature differences.

Note, weatherstripping is effective method to reduce air leaks around the house. Leaks can contribute to loss of energy up to 40%.

Free Energy Saving Kit For Low-Income Households From BC Hydro

Offer valid in British Columbia only. If you qualify you can receive a nice list of energy savings items from BC Hydro.

The kit contains following easy to install energy saving items: compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75% less energy than regular light bulbs whic can also last up to 10 years; weatherstripping for your windows and doors to keep out drafts; fridge and freezer thermometers to help you set your refrigerator and freezer at an ideal temperature for the food to stay cold; and a low-flow shower head that uses significantly less water than a standard shower head.

Read more details and how to apply.

Electricity Saving Tip - Cook With Lids

By using newest designs of the pots and pans, and lids you can actually save some some money on the electricity bill.

• When using lids, you reduce amount of steam, so you don't have to run fan.
• When using lids, you can cook on the lower heat, because all the heat is trapped in the pot.
• When using lids, you can also cook faster, that is reducing time of cooking.
• When using lids made of glass, you can reduce number of times you have to look at your cooking food.
  

Recommendations, beside using lids. Try to use energy efficient pots and pans, that have good heat conducting bottoms. And in addition to the above last point, lids made of glass are good so you can see better what is going on, instead of lifting to see. Lots of steam and heat can escape that way.

Winterize Your Home - Stop Air Drafts with Weatherstripping and Air Sealing

It is very common to have air leaks in the house. Many of them come from windows and electrical outlets. The average house in Canada looses up to 40 % of heat due to air leaks. Air sealing and weatherstripping can help to reduce amount of air leaks in your house. The electrical outlet air leak can be sealed with a weatherstrip outlet plate. These products can be easily found at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Lowe's or other hardware outlets.