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With rising energy costs and climate challenges worldwide, many Canadians are seeking ways to reduce energy consumption. The easiest and most controllable way to start is in your house.
By making energy-efficient changes, you’ll lower your electric bill and overall energy dependence. Whether through minor adjustments or larger investments, every step you take helps to cut down on your carbon footprint and contributes to a more sustainable future. This guide provides simple tips to try today and suggestions for bigger upgrades to plan for in the future. Implementing these changes will create a more eco-friendly, cost-effective home.
15 Tips to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
1. Clean appliances and exterior vent covers
Keeping appliances and vents clean reduces energy waste. Regularly clean dust and lint buildup from refrigerator coils, dryer vents, and HVAC filters. Check and clear exterior vent covers to prevent blockages. When a vent is blocked by a lost sock, bird’s nest, or just lint, it causes the dryer to work harder and is a fire hazard.
2. Stop phantom consummation
Appliances like coffee makers, air fryers, and TVs still draw power when turned off—this is a process called phantom consummation. It may seem like a small amount of electricity, but when you consider how many appliances contribute to phantom consumption, it can add up. Fight back by unplugging rarely used appliances.
3. Skip the dryer
In the summer months, consider installing a clothesline outside. Let the summer breeze naturally dry your clothes. This will lower your dryer’s energy use and has plenty of other benefits. It helps clothes last longer, removes odours, and brightens whites. In the winter, try an indoor drying rack.
4. Optimize airflow
Older homes—and even newer ones—often have hidden air leaks that waste energy. Check for crafts around windows, doors, and vents. Seal gaps with weatherstripping, caulk, or door draft stoppers to prevent heat loss in the winter and keep the air cool in the summer. This will keep your HVAC from constantly turning on and off to maintain the set temperature.
5. Utilize a water heater wrap
Water heaters account for a large percentage of home energy use, but you don’t have to cut out hot water to reduce your energy consumption. Start by turning down the water heater’s temperature. Then, insulate the heater with a heater wrap. The hot water pipes can also be insulated.
6. Go Solar
Turning to renewable energy is an effective way to become more energy-efficient. EcoFlow makes integrating solar power in your home a breeze. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Series Solar Generator (PV160W) pairs a portable power station with a solar panel, providing unlimited access to solar energy. This solar generator offers a 1024Wh battery capacity and 1.8kW AC output, enough to run smaller appliances instead of relying on the traditional electric grid. If you need more power, consider the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W), which offers 4Wh battery capacity and 4kW AC output.
7. Use a heat recovery ventilator
If you don’t have one already, invest in a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). An HRV transfers heat from outgoing stale air to incoming fresh air, reducing the need to heat or cool your home. These units are essential for increasing energy efficiency in Canada’s cold winters. You can install one yourself or pay a professional.
8. Heat recovery in the kitchen
Make the most of your oven’s heat. In winter, leave the oven door open slightly after baking to warm your kitchen naturally. On the flip side, avoid baking during peak heat hours in summer to prevent extra indoor warming. Instead, plan baking sessions for the coldest times of the day to maximize efficiency.
9. Upgrade to energy-star-certified appliances
If your dishwasher, fridge, washer, dryer, and water heater are still in good condition, keep using them. When it’s time to upgrade, make the switch to energy-efficient appliances. Energy-star-rated appliances are designed to lower energy use, whether through water or heat management. They’re the best appliances to take your home entirely off-grid.
10. Insulate your roof
Proper roof insulation is key to maintaining stable indoor temperatures. It reduces heat loss in winter and blocks heat in summer, easing the strain on your HVAC system and lowering energy costs. Well-insulated roofs also prevent ice dams in cold climates, reducing potential damage.
11. Reduce food waste
Food waste is often overlooked when evaluating a home’s efficiency, but it has a significant impact. Growing, transporting, storing, and disposing of food all require energy. Start by cooking only what you need to reduce wasted or spoiled food. Try shopping locally at co-op stores or directly from farmers to cut down on transportation energy. Composting keeps excess food from filling landfills and generating greenhouse gases.
12. Charge electronics efficiently
When devices are fully charged, they still draw power. Try unplugging electronics once they reach a full charge, and avoid charging your phone at night. You can also start charging electronics from portable batteries, like EcoFlow Portable Power Stations (PPS). Many of these PPS can be charged by solar panels, allowing you to use renewable solar energy to recharge your phone.
13. Use ceiling fans correctly
In general, ceiling fans consume much less electricity than air conditioning systems. If you already have them installed, make sure you are using them correctly. In the summer, the fan blades should spin counterclockwise, creating a cooling effect. In the winter, set them to spin clockwise, pushing warm air down as it rises.
14. Do an annual energy audit
An energy audit identifies where your home is wasting electricity. Many utility providers in Canada offer free or subsidized audits, or you can do it yourself at home. Doing an audit annually is a good idea, then setting goals for improvement in the coming year. Things to consider include air leaks around windows and doors, insulation quality, appliance and light efficiency, HVAC performance, and how many devices and appliances are drawing phantom energy.
15. Try new landscaping
Strategic landscaping can significantly reduce the strain on your HVAC system. Plant trees with high, spreading crowns to shade the south side of your home to provide shade and block direct sunlight. Shrubs planted low to the ground can act as a natural windbreak, reducing wind chills in the winter. In the summer, vines growing on trellises near walls help cool the house by minimizing heat absorption.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several ways to start lowering electricity use at home. Start today by conducting a home energy audit, reducing food waste, and charging electronics efficiently. Then, incorporate larger changes like integrating solar energy, upgrading appliances, and trying a new landscape. Over time, these small steps will culminate into a significant impact.
Final Thoughts
Take the first step today in lowering your energy consumption with simple tips that won’t disrupt your everyday life. Begin with an energy audit, taking inventory of where energy is wasted in your home. Then, start making adjustments like air-drying clothes, using ceiling fans correctly, and cutting off phantom consumption. Once you’re ready, tackle larger projects like roof insulation, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, and leaning into solar energy.
For a quick and reliable energy solution, consider EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators to power your electronics efficiently. These big and small changes can lead to lasting savings and a more sustainable lifestyle.