Smart Meters & Time of Use Electricity Rates
While we can understand why some states and provinces have developed smart meter initiatives to encourage consumers to use less electricity and to use it when demand is low, for the consumer - it's often a challenge to reschedule tasks to a cheaper time of day and even more challenging to find ways to minimize the effects of time of use electricity prices. First of all, you need to understand new terms such as smart meter, time of use rates and then look for ways to mitigate energy increases. My tips can help.
- Smart Meters - Definition and Use
- Time of Use (TOU) Electricity Rates - Definition and What it Means for the Consumer
- 6 Things You Must Do if You Have a Smart Meter
- During hot sunny weather, close curtains and blinds to keep the house cool and reduce the need for fans or air conditioning.
- Read About the CEE Tier and how products that carry the CEE tier label are considered most energy efficient.
- Turn off bathroom and kitchen fans when no longer required; they are pulling the heat or coolness from the house.
- Trees can help shade exterior air-conditioning units; they'll use less energy. They also provide shade cooling and protect from drafts and winds.
- Choose cooling appliances suited to your room size. A larger unit may be wasting energy.
- To save on air conditioning, raise the setting by a couple of degrees; you will not notice the change, only the energy savings.
- Portable Air Conditioners may be sufficient to keep the bedroom cool, saving on more expensive cooling appliances.
- Consider all your cooling options. See Cool Comfort - Ways to Beat the Heat and 5 Ways to Keep Your Kitchen Cool
- Change your air conditioner filters as recommended - your unit will work more efficiently.
- Benefits of Changing Appliance Filters
- Ceiling fans will often provide sufficient air movement to make a room comfortable, and may reduce the need for air conditioning.
- Is your ceiling fan on the correct setting for the summer? See Which Way Should the Ceiling Fan Rotate?
- For the best energy savings, buy Energy Star qualified cooling and heating products.
- Check out efficiency features of Cooling unit before buying a cooling product.
Though you can often keep a room comfortable with simple measures such as closing drapes or operating circulating fans, there are times when these efforts are just not enough and extreme heat can cause serious health concerns. Choosing the right air conditioner can save you energy dollars. But before you start shopping for an air conditioner, take time to read about the different types, features and compare prices to shop wisely.
- Air Conditioner Buying Tips
- Compare Prices of Air Conditioners
- AC Refrigerants are Changing - What You Need to Know
- Understanding the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER)
- Central Air vs Room Air Conditioners
- Multifunction Portable Air Conditioners
- 10 Ways to Stay Cool When Your AC Breaks Down by CompareElectrictyRates.com
- Window Air Conditioner versus Ductless Mini Split AC Systems
- What's an Air Conditioner EER Rating?
- How to Dispose of an Old Air Conditioner
- More About Cooling
- Learn the difference between energy-saving convection heaters and standard baseboard heaters
- In colder seasons, turn down your thermostat slightly; every degree can save up to 5% in heating costs.
- Fully or partially closing drapes can reduce drafts and help to keep the room warmer - reducing heating costs.
- Research which heating fuel type is more economical in your area and consider heating alternatives such as wood, wood pellets or other fuel-burning options
- Clean or replace furnace air filters once a month. Not only will this improve efficiency, but it will also help allergy sufferers.
- Ensure floor registers and baseboard heaters are not blocked by furniture, carpets or drapes, limiting effectiveness.
- Guest room not in use? Adjust the thermostat until needed.
- Plug and seal the chimney flue of a fireplace that is never used; keeps heat from going up the chimney.
- Installing tempered glass doors on a fireplace can also reduce heat loss and improve efficiency.
- Reduce drafts by insulating electrical outlet and switch cover plates
- Small portable heaters are great for short-term use, but for long-term needs, consider installing a baseboard heater which draws less energy.
- If you have bare floors, an area rug can 'cozy' your feet.
- Older thermostats are less efficient than newer ones, and you'll recover the cost quickly.
- Programmable thermostats allow you to customize temperature settings according to when you use the room.
- Is your ceiling fan on the correct setting for the best winter warm air circulation?
See Which Way Should the Ceiling Fan Rotate? - Check out efficiency features of a Heating product before buying.
- Read more about heating products and resources
- Dishwashers
- Dishwasher Buying Tips for energy conservation features.
- Dishwashers can be set on economy mode, or the door opened to 'air dry' dishes economically.
- Read About the CEE Tier Certification and how products that carry the CEE tier seal are considered most energy efficient.
- New models have delayed start features - you can set them to operate when energy prices are lower later in the day.
- Laundry Appliance Energy Conservation
- 7 Ways to Save Energy With a Traditional Top Load Washer
- Before You Buy a Dryer for helpful dryer energy-saving features.
- See washer buying tips for options
- Read About the CEE Tier Certification and how products that carry the CEE tier seal are considered most energy efficient.
- Smaller loads dry faster.
- Dry clothes only as long as required; you could be using 30 minutes to dry a load that really only needs 15 minutes.
- Certain dryer models have damp/dry sensors and will shut off when the load is dry.
- Hang dress clothing to air dry on Portable Laundry Racks, they will also look better.
- Laundry Basics for more energy conservation tips.
- Front-load washers use less energy and water than top-loaders.
- Use cold water for rinsing and most other washing cycles.
- Clean the dryer lint filter before every load.
- Energy Conservation Tips from Procter & Gamble
- Refrigerators, Freezers & Energy Conservation
- Before You Buy a Refrigerator for energy conservation features
- For best efficiency, temperature should be set per manufacturer guidelines.
- Read about CEE Tier Certification and how products that carry the CEE tier seal are considered most energy efficient.
- Defrost freezers and manual-defrost refrigerators regularly - they'll work better.
- Before You Buy a Freezer for energy-saving features.
- Freezer Care & Maintenance - Keep your appliances operating more efficiently.
- Standby Refrigerators How to save energy on the older spare refrigerator.
- Cooking Ranges & Microwaves
- Range Buying Tips
- When stove top cooking, use lids on pots to reduce heating time.
- On the stove, use a proper size pot, not a larger one.
- Microwave ovens use 75% less energy than range ovens.
- Compact Appliances - Energy Savers
- Saving Water Plus Saving Energy
In many areas, water conservation is a must, but conserving water often has another benefits - that of saving energy. Read my water conservation tips to learn some easy and practical ways that you can conserve water and benefit as well from using less energy. The result - more savings for your family budget.
- Hot Water Tanks
- Install a 24-hour mechanical timer on your water heater and schedule when it is on. Read my GE Timer review and installation tips.
- Turn off the breaker to the hot water tank when going on vacation.
- Take showers more often than baths, they use half the energy a hot bath uses.
- Replacing your hot water tank? Consider a smaller one.
- Consider a tankless or 'on demand hot water unit.
- Wrap your hot water tank with an insulated tank 'blanket', they can reduce heat loss by 18%. Note: These are not recommended for oil or gas fired tanks, and are for electric hot water tanks.
- If your tank has a temperature setting, lower it slightly.
