As you become more aware of your household usage, you may be looking at ways to cut back and save money. We’ve consulted industry experts to separate fact from fiction when it comes to energy saving tips.
It’s more efficient to leave a room at a constant temperature than turning the heat down overnight (or when you’re not home).
This really depends on what heat source you have in your home.
If your home is heated by electric baseboard or on demand boilers, you can save money by setting your temperate back around five degrees at night or when away from the home for more than 24 hours.
If your home is heated (or cooled) by heat pumps – ducted or mini-splits, do a great job of maintaining temperatures. Due to their efficiency and how they work, it is recommended to set the unit to a temperature you're comfortable with and leave it!
With mini-splits, if you do find the temperature needs an adjustment, changing the set temperature by a few degrees won’t impact your energy use by much.
With a central heat pump system, changing the temperature settings by several degrees inside your home can add up quickly. It’s best to do this in stages, if required.
It takes the same amount of time for the temperature to reach 20 degrees whether the thermostat is set at 20 or 30 degrees.
Changing my energy use will not result in worthwhile savings.
On the standard rate plan, you can save hundreds of dollars each year just by turning off lights, TVs and computers when they’re not in use, lowering thermostat settings when away and washing clothes in cold water. Take a look at Efficiency Nova Scotia's energy calculator to spot energy saving opportunities. To learn about more opportunities to save on your Nova Scotia Power bill, take a look at our full list of rate plan options on our Save Energy and Money page.
Insulating my attic or basement will cause more heat to leak out of the windows.
Adding insulation to one part of a home saves energy and will not increase heat loss elsewhere.
Leaving a ceiling fan on will cool the room even when you’re not there.
Most fans don’t change the air temperature itself, instead they work by moving air which helps to evaporate moisture on the surface of the skin, making you feel cooler. Since there is no air temperature change possible from a fan alone, there is no need to leave them running if you aren’t in the room.
It’s more efficient to leave lights on rather than turning them off because flicking the switch uses so much energy.
When your lights are on they are using power. It’s always more efficient to turn the lights off when the room is not being used.
It’s better to leave your computer running all the time because turning it on uses so much energy.
You always save energy when you turn your computer off when it’s not in use. Enable the sleep function to conserve energy during brief periods of inactivity.
Food will cook faster on the stove if you leave the setting on ‘high’.
Leaving the setting on ‘high’ does not cook food any faster, but using a lid will bring the water to a boil faster. Once water is boiling, save energy by turning the heat down and maintaining your boil with the pot covered – just be sure not to leave the pot unattended.
When my TV, DVD player, stereo and computer are turned off, they are not using any electricity.
These electronic devices use standby power even when turned off. Over a year, this could cost you more than $100 in “always on” usage (sometimes called phantom power.) To avoid this, unplug any seldom used electronics (charging cables and seldom used counter appliances) or use a power bar to turn things off completely when they’re not in use.
It’s important to us that our customers who are living on lower incomes benefit from energy efficiency and feel comfortable at home. Our HomeWarming program offers no-charge energy assessments and free home upgrades to eligible Nova Scotians – the program is offered by EfficiencyOne and Clean Foundation and is proudly sponsored by Nova Scotia Power and the Province of Nova Scotia. You can visit EnergyAssist to learn about other free programs available in Nova Scotia to help you save money on heating and energy.
> Visit HomeWarming | > See all programs at EnergyAssist | > Find out if you are eligible
Efficiency Nova Scotia manages energy saving programs and services for Nova Scotians. Check out their website for programs that can help you reduce your energy usage and therefore reduce your spending. Energy efficiency often makes your home more comfortable to live in, and more environmentally friendly.
> Visit Efficiency Nova Scotia website
