After what was one of our worst winters, your heating bill has probably stacked up a couple of extra zeroes. Though we can’t help you out on that bill, we can certainly help you prevent those extra costs from reappearing (given we don’t have another Ice Age…). With the sun in the sky and summer rolling on in, now is the time to evaluate where your money is really going. The money master himself, Bruce Sellery, brings us genius energy saving tips that will help lower that utility bill for good.

1. Make use of smart technology

There are many different types of thermostats on the market, most recognizably the programmable kind — but let’s get real, taking the time to actually program it is highly unlikely. So let’s explore other, low maintenance options that do all the work for you — and saves you cash!

Two words: “smart thermostat.” This energy-saving technology gets to know how you live and adjusts according to your schedule. Bruce Sellery recommends two brands: Ecobee and Nest. For example, let’s take a look at the details on how the Ecobee works:

Thermostat: Ecobee
Cost: $199 plus $150 for installation
How it works:

• Connects to the internet through wifi.
• Uses algorithms which incorporate thousands of data points:
  Weather = how it impacts the heating and cooling of your home.
  Home = how your home heats up and cools down (to optimize runtimes).
  HVAC (heating, ventilation, air condition) = the performance efficiency of your HVAC equipment.
• Will assess your home’s efficiency.
• Includes a mobile app so you have control of your home if you’re at the office or on vacay.

2. Try these quick fixes 

• Blinds: Close the curtains and blinds during the day — especially on south-facing windows.
• Fan: Use a fan at night until you are desperate for the A/C. Keeping air circulating through your home will make it feel cooler.
• Filters: Do an online search for your A/C’s make a model. With this information, you are able to find out its recommended frequency and when it is best to change the filters (make sure to mark the dates in your calendar!).
• Lights: Simply put, turn them off when you’re not in the room as this can save mega bucks!
• Air-dry: Skip the dryer and hang your clothes on a clothes line outside.
  
• Use the heated appliances at night: Dry your clothes, use your oven, and wash your dishes in the later hours of the day. Why you ask? These appliances produce a lot of heat that will compete with your A/C during the day. Once the weather cools down, so will your house — this is the prime time to start up these appliances.
• Increase your A/C’s temperature. The point of A/C is not to freeze your home, so make sure its set at an appropriate level that is cooler than outdoors, but not freezing cold. After a long hot day outside, walking into a house with a little bit of A/C can make a world of difference. If you get a little warm as you settle in, that’s when you can lower the temperature.
• Talk to your family. Make it known that you are an energy-saving family so everyone is on board and willing to help out.
  

3. Fix the leaks of air escaping

Step one: Locate the leaks. A professional can do a few things such as using an air blower test or an infrared camera that can see when air is escaping.

Step two: Fix them! They can resurrect them with insulation, weather stripping, or even new windows.

For more of Bruce’s tips and advice, check out the video below:

Courtesy of Bruce Sellery

www.moneysense.ca

www.moolala.ca

@brucesellery