OEB Amendment Act - Energy Conservation
Backgrounder
Tips On Conserving Energy
The proposed interim price plan, in addition to better reflecting the true cost of electricity, encourages conservation. The average electricity price paid by consumers will go up as their monthly consumption increases above750 kilowatt hours.
The proposed price plan would come into effect on April 1, 2004. This provides time for consumers to review their electricity usage and take steps to use less and pay less.
The government also promotes energy efficiency and conservation by establishing minimum efficiency levels for over 50 energy-using products through the Ontario Energy Efficiency Act. This act was passed by the Ontario legislature in 1988.
For large household appliances, customers can go well beyond minimum efficiency established under the act by buying products that have an Energy Star rating. An Energy Star rating means that the appliance provides higher energy efficiency. Many appliances are required to have an EnerGuide label, regardless of their efficiency rating - but only the more efficient models qualify for the Energy Star designation.
The government yesterday proposed to extend until March 31, 2004 the provincial sales tax rebate program for purchases of Energy Star rated - refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dishwashers. This program was scheduled to expire on November 25, 2003. More information on the program can be found on the Ministry of Energy web site at www.energy.gov.on.ca There are dozens of other ways homes and businesses can reduce their electricity and overall energy consumption. Below are a few good conservation tips. Others can be found at the Ministry of Energy's web site.
- Install energy-saving lighting. Using compact fluorescent bulbs in place of three regular bulbs that are turned on four hours a day can save 200 kilowatt-hours annually.
- Use a programmable thermostat to turn your furnace down at night or when you are away. Lowering the temperature by six degrees C for eight hours daily can cut your heating bill by 10 per cent. Gas or oil furnace users will save fuel and electricity costs. Also, make wise use of space heaters or baseboard heaters.
- Have an EnerGuide audit done on your home. You will receive a report detailing the current efficiency rating of your home and identifying specific measures to improve the rating and an estimate of how much each measure could save you. Depending on such things as the size and condition of your home and the type of heating, an EnerGuide audit can show you how to reduce your energy consumption by up to a third. Identified savings of hundreds of dollars are common Πin some cases it's into the thousands of dollars. You also may be eligible for rebates from the government of Canada that are based on reductions you achieve by following the advice from the audit. For more details, check www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca
- In the summer, raise the air conditioner temperature setting a few degrees. You likely won't notice a difference in your comfort, but you will on your energy bill. Turn your air conditioner off when you are away.
- Make sure your refrigerator is not working harder than it needs to. An easy way to check the seal on your refrigerator door is the "paper test". Close the refrigerator door(s) over a ordinary piece of paper - if you can pull it out easily, you need to adjust or replace the door seal to keep the cold in and use less electricity. A faulty seal can consume hundreds of kilowatt-hours a year. Also remember to keep the coils on the back or bottom of your fridge clean. This will also extend the life of your refrigerator.
- Turn off your computer monitor when you're not at your computer, and be sure to use the energy saving mode if your computer has one. Turn the whole system off when the computer doesn't need to run. A continuously running computer system can use 2,500 kilowatt hours a year.
- Make wise use of hot water. People with electric water heaters can save between 200-1,400 kilowatt-hours a year by simply fixing leaky taps, insulating their water heater, and switching to low-flow aerators and shower heads.
- During the holiday season, make wise use of outdoor lights. Use low wattage bulbs or LED lights. They reduce consumption by over 90 per cent. Consider using a timer, or unplugging the lights when you are sleeping or not at home.
- Change or clean your furnace filter regularly; and if you have central air conditioning, change it regularly every winter and summer. Even if you have a gas or oil furnace, the electric motor that runs the fans has to work harder and longer if the filter is not clean.
- Consider modernizing your major appliances or changing your heating system. This is a costly option, but a modern refrigerator uses less than half the electricity of a 12 year old one. Heat pump heating systems can eliminate a third to two thirds of the consumption of electric resistance heating. Switching to other heating fuels will also reduce you heating costs.
There are many other good sources of information on conservation. These include the federal Department of Natural Resources at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca, the City of Toronto at www.toronto.ca/health/2020/ and the Canadian Energy Efficiency Centre at www.energyefficiency.org.
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For consumer information call 1 888 668 4636
Media Contacts:
Angie Robson, Ministers Office
(416) 327-6747
Ted Gruetzner, Communications Branch
(416)327-4334
