As the days get darker and nights get colder, energy costs can begin to snowball. To celebrate the start of the holiday season, Dufferin County’s Climate Action team is giving the gift of energy savings with a few simple tips to increase comfort in your home, unlock savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Turn down the thermostat by one or two degrees when expecting company 

• Unplug appliances and devices when not in use to avoid phantom power 

• Open curtains on south-facing windows to naturally heat your home 

• Set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to help re-circulate warm air  

• Keep the lid on your pots. Food that is covered cooks more quickly 

• Make the switch to LED lights to use up to 75% less energy 

• Check and replace your furnace filter to keep your system running efficiently 

• Seal air leaks around windows, doors, baseboards, and outlets 

• Switch to low-flow fixtures on showers and sinks 

• Install water heater blanket (*Water heater blankets should not be installed on gas water heaters) 

• Use a smart power bar to avoid waste energy from devices and appliances 

• Use a timer to automatically turn your holiday lights on and off

For more energy savings tips, visit Climate Action in Dufferin’s Home Energy Efficiency page, and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more great tips on how we can build a cooler future, together!