Conserving energy: It makes Power $ense!
If you could help the environment and save hundreds of dollars each month on your power bill wouldn’t you want to take steps to make that happen?
You can.
It starts with the Territorial Power Support Program. In small communities, the GNWT subsidizes the first 700 kilowatt hours (kWh) you use at 26.20 cents per kWh. That’s the same rate as hydroelectric customers pay in Yellowknife.
The true cost of power production in small communities is often more than $1 per kWh. So, 26.20 cents per kWh is a major incentive to manage your power use.
Any use over 700kWh is charged at the rate it costs to produce power in your community (click here for the power rate in your community).
We’ve done hundreds of energy audits in homes across the NWT. We’ve helped people make small changes that add up to a big difference on their monthly bills. We’ve done the math and it’s possible to provide for most of your home’s electrical needs within the 700 kWh cap. Here’s a guide to help understand the costs of running electrical appliances in your home.
Electricity is a necessity. Now more than ever we all need to manage electricity use in our homes and businesses like any other valuable resource. Together we have the power.
To get you started here are 10 helpful tips that work.
Top Ten Tips to Save Energy and Money…Now!
1 Lighten UP!
Replace your most frequently used incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use only about a third as much electricity as standard incandescents. If you substitute compact fluorescent bulbs for a quarter of the incandescents used in high-use areas, you can cut the amount of electricity you use on lighting by half – helping you save money and our environment.2 The Great Outdoors
Replace outdoor lighting with a motion-detector equipped bulb or fixture. Outdoor lights that are left on all night can add unnecessary costs to your power bill. Using a bulb or fixture with a motion detector solves the problem.3 Stay in Hot Water…with Less Energy
Lower your hot water heater to 50 degrees Celsius, as many hot water heaters are set too high. Experts also recommend draining a pint or so of water from your water heater a few times a year to reduce sediment and increase efficiency.4 Give Your Tank a Blankee!
Since the standard hot water heater is on all the time, adding extra insulation will save more energy than you might think. Most hardware stores sell pre-made insulator "jackets" that can be easily wrapped around a water heater. Experts estimate that adding insulation to your water heater and any exposed pipes can knock up to 15 percent off the costs of heating water.5 A Shower of Savings
Low-flow shower heads are also a worthwhile investment that will reduce the amount of hot water you use and in turn the energy needed to heat it.
6 Is That a Hole in Your Wall?
Heating your home is the single largest use of energy for the average customer. Experts estimate that all of the tiny gaps and cracks in an older home are roughly equivalent to a one-foot square hole in your wall. Sealing any cracks or gaps with caulking and weather stripping can greatly improve energy efficiency. After you've sealed the gaps, think about adding some insulation for your floor, ceiling or walls. A bit of modern insulation can often work wonders for older houses.7 Put Your Computer to Sleep
Computers at home or at work may have a "screensaver" program when the computer is idle. Instead of using a screensaver, turn off and unplug your computer when not in use. And be sure to unplug televisions, video games, stereos, and other electroncs when they're not in use.8 Be an ENERGY STAR
Though buying a new appliance isn't cheap, replacing an old dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine, or furnace with a new, energy-efficient model can really save on energy and money. Look for products that have EnerGuide or ENERGY STAR certification, which means they’ll definitely save you money on your electricity bill.9 Go Cold
Since 80-90% of the energy used to do laundry goes into heating the water, you could save more than $200 a year by switching your washing machine dial to cold and leaving it there! There are now many detergents that are specially designed for cold water washing - even for whites and on tough stains. Switching to cold is good for your wallet and the planet!10 Dim Lit
If you can’t switch to compact fluorescents, an incandescent light dimmed by 25 percent can save 10 percent on energy use and extend the life of the bulb. This simple device can help you save big on your lighting costs.
