There’s no question about it, our energy and heating bills increase more than we would like during the cold winter months. According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canadians consume five times more energy than the world average per capita, and 29 per cent more than our U.S. neighbours.
Our northern climate is part of the reason for this, but our excess consumption is a significant environmental concern. While we are fortunate in Canada to rely heavily on clean hydroelectric power, 45 per cent of Canadian household energy expenditures are still sourced by natural gas, including most furnaces and hot water tanks.
Luckily, there are many ways to save on your natural gas bill by taking small actions and initiatives throughout the rest of the winter.
According to Natural Resources Canada, space heating is responsible for about 63 per cent of the total household energy usage each year. In an attempt to decrease reliance on space heaters, start by programming your thermostat.
This does not need to extend below your comfort level, but a couple of degrees can make a noticeable difference to your gas bill.
In addition, while you are out of your house, and even at nighttime, lowering the temperature is a simple way to decrease energy consumption. A bonus to reducing the temperature during sleep is the fact that a cool room improves sleep quality and decreases insomnia.
To help decrease the amount of energy you use to heat your home, you can also dress for the temperature, rather than adjust the heat to your liking. You can easily change your clothes, add layers, and even use blankets instead of increasing the temperature of your entire house.
Another method to save energy is by draft-proofing your house. Through small gaps, holes and cracks in your home, endless amounts of heat can be lost. Fixing such flaws requires a small investment, but in the long run the amount of heating retained will save you even more money. Replacing single-pane windows is also effective, and though far more costly, there are energy saver rebates available to reduce the expense.
A common way many people warm up in the cold winter months is by taking a nice long hot shower. Not only can this be damaging to your energy bills, but it can also be bad for your skin. Water heating is the second biggest consumer of energy within homes, and therefore reducing the length of your showers can cut down your natural gas use drastically. A useful trick can be turning the water off while you use shampoo and conditioner and then resuming to rinse. This will make your hair products last longer as well as reduce your water and energy waste. Better than standing in a hot shower at all, instead try drinking a warm beverage or putting on another layer to get rid of your winter chills.
Surprisingly, another seasonal contributor to environmental harm is the use of gas-powered snow blowers. Using these unnecessary appliances for only one hour can release the same amount of emission as driving a car 550 kilometres.
These tiny machines cause an immense amount of damage to our environment. For this reason, try shovelling the snow from your driveway and paths as it is far more eco-friendly, and it also allows for you to get some exercise outdoors.
The last piece of advice is to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and beauty that the winter has to offer. This appreciation of the natural world will strengthen your love for the environment and inspire you to take even more eco-friendly actions in every aspect and season of your life.
Cabrinha Clark is a Grade 12 student at Earl Marriott Secondary. She writes regularly about environmental issues for the Peace Arch News