How to save even more on your hydro bill

Some days it feels like the government really is out to get you. They introduce the HST on your hydro bill and then also bring in time-of-day billing which has increased the average bill by about 18 per cent.

But rather than get mad, get even by lowering your hydro bill. I’ve got my consumption down to 350 kilowatts per month, about a third of the Ontario average of 1000 kilowatts.

How do you lower your bill when you have already done the obvious, like switch to compact flourescent bulbs? Try these suggestions:

1. Get a front-load washer: Then wash everything in cold water. You’ll save on water, because front-loaders use less. They also spin more water out of your clothes, reducing the load on the dryer. A typical dryer uses up to 4,500 watts per hour — that’s comparable 45 100-watt bulbs. Expect to save $100 to $250 a year.

2. Skip the dryer: Get a clothesline or drying rack or just clear some space somewhere and let your clothes air dry (which works well even in winter provided your house isn’t too humid). If you get your clothes right out of the washer, you can often skip ironing as well, and double your power savings. Save $50 a year.

Unplug your chargers: A painless way to cut back your hydro bill is to unplug cellphone, MP3 player or other electronic chargers. These little items can account for 5 per cent or more of your hydro bill. Save $60 year or more.

Lower your water heater’s temperature: You don’t need boiling water in your pipes. Turn the temperature down to 50-65°C. You’ll save electricity and your family from scalding water; when you need to boil water use a kettle with auto shut-off. Save about $25 to $50 a year.

Dust off slow cookers, toaster ovens: For smaller meals skip the oven and use these appliances or your microwave. An electric oven for all intensive purposes is a giant incandescent light bulb; you know not to use those in your house so try to only use the oven when you actually need it and save $25 to $50 a year.

Switch holiday lights to LED: Beyond the 90 per cent reduction in energy use, the bulbs last a long time and are more durable; I stepped on one and it didn’t break. Save $10 to $20 a year.

Put a timer on your home theatre: Plug your equipment into a timer that you program to turn it off at an appointed hour. As with the newer furnace thermostats, timers for electronic equipment let you program to suit your habits, automatically timing out (for instance, if no one is around or you’ve fallen asleep). Save $15 to $30 a year.

Turn off surround-sound: The systems can suck 1000 watts of power when they are on. So I compromise and turn surround-sound off when watching regular TV. Save $10 to $20 a year.

Get a Laptop: My Energy Star-rated laptop uses just 20 watts of power when plugged in, even when charging the battery. My old desktop with its monitor and speakers uses closer to 150 to 200 watts. Save $10 to $30 a year.

Check power ratings before you buy. Considering a big screen HDTV or monster refrigerator? Check to see if the unit is Energy Star-rated. That’s the international symbol that identifies the more energy-efficient products. For something that run all the time, like a fridge, you could save hundreds during the appliance’s life — your reward for making a two-second check at the store.

Tim Stobbs is an engineer who writes the blog Canadian Dream: Free at 45.