Cool North Shore is a citizen-led non-profit society focused on helping individuals and groups on the path to sustainability. The following tips are offered on their website.
APPLIANCES
. Cover foods and liquids when you put them in the fridge or freezer, otherwise they release moisture and cause the fridge to use more energy.
. Make sure fridge and freezer doors close tightly and have a good seal.
. Dry multiple loads of laundry back-to-back to make use of the dryer's heat.
. Clean the lint trap after each use of the dryer.
. Each time you open the oven door, 20 per cent of the heat is lost. Instead, use your oven light and look through the window.
LIGHTING
. Turn off any unnecessary lights. . Arrange furniture to make the most of natural light.
. Arrange lights so you can vary levels and have it where you need it most.
. Use solar power lights for outdoor lighting in your yard and for pathways.
. Angle blinds for heat control (reflection and deflection).
. Move floor lamps to corners of the room so they reflect light off the two walls, making the room brighter without adding more lamps.
ELECTRONICS
. Reduce standby power use by plugging electronics into a power bar
or surge protector, and turning it off at night or when not in use.
. If you need to leave your computer on, turn off monitors and displays.
HEATING AND COOLING
. Close curtains and blinds during the day to block sun in the summer and retain heat during the winter.
. The closer that the window coverings are to the window, the better they will work as insulators.
. Replacing your furnace filter regularly can save you up to 40 per cent on your heating costs.
. Draft-proofing by sealing gaps and cracks with caulking and weather stripping.
. Install a ceiling fan to circulate cool or warm air around the home.
. Install a door sweep on the bottom of your door.
