Beat the Heat: Helpful tips for homeowners to cool their Hydro Bill

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Everybody is feeling it!

We can say this about pretty much everything in our lives right now: gas prices have gone, food prices have gone up, going out has gone up.

It’s only the beginning of summer and hydro companies are urging customers to reduce their electricity consumption. We are all doing everything that we can to lower our bills, and we are all still feeling the pinch.

From 2018 to 2021, hydro bills went up 4.3% (according to the FAO), and our political officials all made promises during their campaign on ways that they would keep these prices down. They promised to continue to drive efficiencies, create more electricity, cost effective electricity, but these are only words skilfully utilized to keep Ontarians docile, hoping that once again, our government is going to take care of us.

Well, while we wait for these promises to be fulfilled homeowners need to find effective ways to stay cool without breaking the bank on their hydro bills. To help keep cool as temperatures continue to rise, Michael Lopes, Operations Manager at Reliance Home Comfort, offers some low-cost or no-cost tips:

AC advice

Ensure the size of your window AC unit reflects the area that needs to be cooled. Units that are disproportionate in size can be a waste of energy.

Proper maintenance of your AC can increase efficiency and save you cash!  Simple steps, like changing the filter regularly and removing debris from the outdoor compressor, can make a meaningful difference on your bill.

Window watch

Check caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors to ensure a tight seal.  Doing so will lock the cool air in and keep the heat and humidity out.

Closing curtains and blinds will also trap cooler air inside and make your home more energy efficient.

Air flow

Ceiling fans are a cost-effective way to promote healthy air circulation inside the home.  Fans should turn counter clockwise in the summer to push cool air downwards.

On the clock

Off-peak hours in Ontario are from 7:00PM to 7:00 AM on weekdays and all-day on weekends and statutory holidays. Try to use major appliances during these times and power down electronics when they’re not in use to avoid wasting energy.

Beware of water waste

Feel like your money is going down the drain? Try washing your clothes on the cold cycle and air-drying your dishes this summer.

Installing energy-efficient showerheads and fixing leaky faucets can also help reduce your monthly bill.

We have to find ways to help each other, so I really hope that these tips help. I want to thank Michael Lopes and Reliance Home Comfort for taking the time to share these helpful tips.