Conserving energy is rewarding, both for the environment and your budget. You can start by assessing your gas-saving habits — and how you can improve them.
There is a strong association between electricity and gas consumption in your home, as the two work jointly. Here are nine gas-saving tips that you may not know about.
1. HVAC Maintenance
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit is a significant source of energy expenditure. Maintain your unit by changing filters semiannually before summer and winter. Check your air ducts and vent grilles for debris and lint. When arranging your furniture, you should avoid blocking vents to allow proper air circulation. These measures increase energy efficiency and save gas.
2. Fan Operation
Adjust your ceiling fans, so they turn counterclockwise in the summer to simulate a breeze and clockwise in the winter to push warm air down toward you. This small change can indirectly provide energy savings.
3. Thermostat Setting
Switch to a smart thermostat to automate temperature settings. In the winter, set your thermostat to 20 degrees Celsius. Adjust the thermostat a couple of degrees lower at night to save energy. Use fleece bedding and warm comforters to get a good night’s sleep. During the day, wear season-appropriate clothing to minimise the need to use gas for heating and air conditioning.
4. Equipment Maintenance
Older equipment is not efficient by today’s standards and consumes a large amount of energy. Where your budget allows, replace your decades-old water heater and furnace. Doing so significantly reduces your gas bill. Set your water heater’s temperature to 49 degrees Celsius and service your equipment annually.
5. Water Conservation
Using a lot of hot water takes a significant amount of energy. Replace your showerheads with low-flow ones that save water. Be mindful of how long you shower and limit your baths. Install aerators on your faucets. You could also install touchless faucets that use sensors to start and shut off the water automatically.
6. Kitchen Appliance
When cooking on the stovetop, use hobs sized for your pots and pans. Promptly close the oven door upon access to conserve energy. Keep your refrigerator and freezer away from heat sources. Defrost your refrigerator and freezer twice a year.
7. Laundry Appliance
Purchase an efficient dryer that checks for moisture and shuts off when clothes are dry. Remove lint before each load to avoid causing a dryer fire.
8. Draught Prevention
Draughts result in increased use of gas to heat your house during the winter. Install weatherstripping to keep out the drought. Be sure to plug the following areas where chilly air seeps:
- Windows: Apply plastic window wraps and draught stoppers, install double-pane energy-efficient windows and use insulated thermal curtains.
- Doors: Use door sweeps or install a storm door.
- Attic: Air-seal and insulate the area and use an attic access cover.
- Chimney: Place a damper on the chimney to block air passage when you’re not using the fireplace.
- Fireplace: Use a fireplace draught stopper.
- Garage: Use a draught excluder for the garage door.
9. Roofing Considerations
Roofing makes a difference in gas costs as well. Shingles vary in temperature during the day and night as they reflect and absorb various heat levels from the sun’s rays. The colour and material of your roof affect the level of heat taken in. Solar panel installation conserves energy, too, as these panels take in sunlight.
Before you start implementing these suggestions, you can have a professional conduct an energy audit to assess your current energy usage, provide improvement ideas and estimate the ensuing impact. Use this valuable analysis, along with the above gas-saving tips, to make proper improvements in your home.