Conservation
condominium
owners
by Mike Mulqueen, Lead CDM Business Development (Multi-Unit Residential Buildings), Toronto Hydro
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Green Your Routine and Save By following some simple tips you can better manage your electricity bill and reduce your consumption
It may not seem like it, but every effort you make to reduce your energy use - no matter how big or small - does make a difference. When all of our individual efforts are combined, it can have a huge impact on the environment – and that’s good for everyone. As an Energy Expert working with the multi-unit residential building sector, this is especially true. Property managers, condo Boards and building owners work continuously with Toronto Hydro on facility upgrades to make their buildings more energy efficient and help reduce energy costs. However, despite these efforts, a typical condo’s common areas use as much as 65% of a building’s total electricity use. That represents a big opportunity to save more and collectively work together. By following some simple tips around your condo and changing some habits, you can better manage your electricity bill and reduce your building’s overall electricity consumption. Air Conditioning Air conditioning can account for up to 50% of your summer electricity bill. Try to use it only when necessary to remain comfortable. As much as possible, use it during off-
peak hours. The following tips can help realize further savings:
mostat to a colder setting than you need. It will not cool the room any faster.
• Install and use a programmable thermostat – During the warmer seasons, set your programmable thermostat to automatically lower the heat by a few degrees at night or when you are away. If you have air conditioning, use your programmable thermostat during the cooler months to automatically turn off or increase the temperature when you are not home. Your energy savings will easily pay for the cost of the thermostat in the first year.
• Use this shady tip. Reduce heat gain in your home by drawing blinds or shades during the day on windows facing south or west. This can reduce your air conditioning costs by up to $13.90 a month. Likewise, in colder months, you can open your blinds to warm your place.
• Use your A/C sparingly. When you are not home, turn your air conditioner off, but keep your ventilation fans running to circulate the cool air. You can program the thermostat to turn on just before you get home. • Set it and forget it. Run your air conditioner just a little warmer and save up to $17.60 a month. Set your thermostat at 25°C for eight hours a day. Then shift to 22°C during off-peak hours to save. • Don’t be impatient. When you turn on air conditioning, do not set your ther-
• Be a fan of savings. Use fans instead of air conditioning whenever possible. Ceiling and portable fans cost pennies to operate and can lower the temperature in the room by up to 2°C. Fans can also help circulate stagnant air. • Check for drafts. Check the windows and the hallway door to your unit to make sure they are draft proofed. If the windows are not properly weatherproofed, talk to your property manager to see if you can work together on a solution that saves energy and reduces heating and cooling costs. Shift Your Use to Off-Peak As much as you can, shift the use of major appliances to off-peak hours, which are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays, and all day weekCONDOVOICE SUMMER 2016
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