saveONenergy - Hydro Ottawa

Heating and Cooling

Sign up for peaksaver® (if available where you live) Allow your utility adjust your central air conditioner for short periods during hot summer weekdays when the demand for electricity is high.
In the summer, set your central air conditioner (CAC) for 25°C when you are home, and 28°C when away. Or if you can, turn it off.
Service your central air system annually.
Ceilings fans help keep rooms cool so you can turn the CAC down or off. They also use less electricity than your CAC
When shopping for a new central or window air conditioning, consider the newer ENERGY STAR qualified models, which are up to 70% more efficient than older models.
Clean or replace your window air conditioning filter monthly. Dirty filters may restrict air flow and reduce efficiency.

Install a minimum of 25cm (10”) insulation.
Seal areas around plumbing stacks, ceiling fans and light fixtures where they join the floor or ceiling.

Consider switching to an ENERGY STAR qualified model.
Newer ENERGY STAR qualified dehumidifiers use 10% to 20% less energy than conventional models but offer the same features – effective moisture removal, quiet operation and durability.
Ensure you properly size your dehumidifier according to your space
The American Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers provides the attached table for determining how large a dehumidifier you need.

When not in use, close the damper. Remember, even a closed damper leaks a large amount of heated air to the outdoors.
Seal fireplaces that are not used (a makeshift foam plug can be inserted and then removed if you decide to use it again). Hanging a flag from the plug will serve as a safety reminder.
Avoid having your furnace thermostat in a room with a fireplace.

Clean or replace the furnace filter once a month to keep it operating efficiently. A clogged filter impedes furnace performance.
Have a licensed HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) professional service your furnace yearly to ensure it is operating at maximum efficiency.
Insulate heating ducts that travel through unheated areas of your home to prevent heat loss.
When buying a new furnace, look for the most energy-efficient model you can find.

Set the furnace fan switch on “automatic” instead of “on” or “continuous”.
Use weatherstripping and door sweeps to seal doors and reduce drafts. Apply caulking and weather-stripping around drafty doors and windows to keep the cold out. No drafts mean a more comfortable home.
Close off air registers in any unused areas or rooms.
Keep warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators clean unblocked.

Add exterior and interior insulation to your basement.
Insulate your home thoroughly to keep it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Seal areas around plumbing stacks, ceiling fans and light fixtures where they join the floor or ceiling

Foam gaskets will insulate electrical outlets and lights switches on your home’s exterior facing walls.
For standard electrical outlets choose an outlet gasket.
For standard light switch faceplates choose a flip switch gasket.

A properly set programmable thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10%.
In the summer set the AC to 25°C when you are home, and 28°C when away.
In the winter set the thermostat to 20°C when you are home and 18°C overnight or when away.
Install the thermostat on an interior wall where there are no vents or drafts.

Open soffit, roof and gable vents to let in air and control moisture, thereby preventing damage to insulation and wood (daylight should be seen through vents).
Ensure attic insulation doesn’t block this air movement.

Air leaks account for the largest amount of heat loss from your home.
Seal leaks around light fixtures, plumbing stacks, windows, exterior doors, attic hatches, pipe and wire entrances, wood-burning fireplaces, electrical outlets and ceiling fans.