Simple switches that can save you money...for free!

An important way to make a change for climate is to address energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at home. Sometimes thinking about all of the things that can be done at home can be intimidating. If you are feeling overwhelmed, start small! There are a number of things that you can do right now to start your energy efficiency journey. All of the actions listed below are free to do and will help get you started.

Laundry

• Wash your clothes in cold water
• Dry your clothes naturally

When you do laundry, most of the carbon footprint comes from drying your clothes. Also, hot water heating accounts for 90% of the energy that your washing machine uses. By choosing cold water and drying your clothes naturally, you are saving all of that energy. All you have to do is turn the temperature dial on your washer to cold, and then hang dry your clothes. If you do not have space for an outside line, use drying racks inside the house!

Kitchen

• Use a toaster oven for small meals
• Reduce food waste

If you already own a toaster oven, it is a great tool to reduce your energy consumption in the kitchen! If you are making something small, or reheating a meal, consider pulling it out. It will heat up much quicker and use up to 50% less energy than conventional electric ovens.

An important way that you can reduce your household greenhouse gas footprint is to reduce the amount of food that you waste. In Canada, almost 40% of all food produced is thrown away, and about half of that is at the consumer level. The only thing that this will cost you is a few minutes of your time to create a meal plan and then the willpower to ensure that you stick to it. This will save you money as you will only be buying what you actually use!

Temperature

• Set your thermostat to 17-21°C
• Open and close your blinds seasonally
• Use fans instead of air conditioning

Setting your thermostat to 21°C during the day and 17°C while you're away from home or sleeping, could save you about 2% of your heating energy consumption every month. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you can simply turn the thermostat down before you go to bed, and then turn it back up when you wake up.

A combination of using your blinds and making use of fans can have a large impact on the amount of energy needed to keep your home cool during the hot summer months. During the winter, taking advantage of windows that allow the sun to help heat the house, and closing other curtains to help keep the heat in will reduce the amount of work your furnace has to do.

Lawn

• Leave your grass clippings on the lawn

Did you know, if every single-family household in Edmonton grasscycled, the CO2 emissions saved would equal the annual emissions of 27,166 cars? Not only that, but leaving your grass clippings on the lawn will also help keep your lawn healthy. To do this, simply remove the bag from your mower and let the clippings fall. Still unsure? Here are some common misconceptions that might change your mind: Grasscycling Myths.

Sustainable Purchasing

• Reduce consumerism and buy sustainably (Check out our Change For Climate Talks speaker Alyssa Lau on sustainable fashion.)

Greenhouse gas emissions and waste are found throughout a product’s life-cycle starting from the processing of materials, all the way to disposal. Because of this, overconsumption has negative environmental impacts that can be addressed by purchasing less. Before you buy something, consider:

1. Can I use something I already own?
2. Can I borrow this item from someone I know or an organization around the city? (For example, Edmonton Tool Library and Communauto car share.)
3. Can I buy this item used?

For other energy saving tips, check out our Actions page.