Article contentAnd after the adjustments he has already made, Sircar says it has already made a dramatic difference in his heating bills.Article contentUpping the insulationArticle contentBarb Stewart of Dartmouth, NS, is a homeowner who realized that by making a few adjustments to the interior of her house, her heating costs could be reduced drastically. So, the first thing she did was increase the amount of insulation that was inside.Article content“We added extra insulation to the attic last fall, taking it from R35 to R50,” says Stewart.Article contentIt wasn’t long before she noticed a change in the inside temperature and the amount of warmth throughout the rooms, saying the difference was felt right away. She says her house has been much warmer in the winter and cooler this past summer, which significantly reduced her power bill.Article contentArticle content Heat pumps can help you save money, but they’ll still cost. UnsplashArticle contentA few years ago, Stewart decided to have a thermal storage unit installed in her home along with a heat pump, both of which have been useful in reducing power consumption.Article contentAnd then there are the little lifestyle adjustments Stewart has adapted to help with even more savings.Article content“We program our washing machine and dishwasher to come on after 11 p.m. with the stored energy. That works out wonderful for us, as we also save on cheaper rates during weekends and holidays.”Article content Unplug appliances and electronics that aren’t in use – they can still add to your power bill. UnsplashArticle content‘Like I am back in the 1800s’Article contentKatherine Parker, also a resident of Dartmouth, tries to save in other ways as well. For example, she will only keep her phone charger plugged in when it is in use.Article content“I unplug pretty much everything except kitchen appliances and my washer and dryer,” she says.Article contentAlso, Parker says she primarily will eat food items that do not need to be in the oven or microwave for any considerable amount of time.Article contentArticle contentShe also refrains from using the lights in her home, instead relying on an old-fashioned but very cost-effective method of providing light in her home: trusty candlelight.Article content“I legit use candles everywhere I go, like I’m back in the 1800s,” says Parker. “I’m pretty much broke like everyone else, and with more new fees coming into effect this fall, I’m trying to wean myself off electricity as much as possible when it’s not winter.”Article content Some power companies offer lower rates during off times of day. Check whether your company does – it can save money when you’re doing laundry, for example. UnsplashArticle contentWhat uses the most power?Article contentSo, while everything that requires electricity is a culprit in contributing to those climbing seasonal power bills, there are some items that are a much larger drain on power usage than others. For Marie Lan of Sydney, NS, her biggest power hog is her washing machine and dryer.Article contentTo keep those rates down, she has a clothes-washing time schedule planned out — especially during certain periods of the year.
How Atlantic Canada homeowners are cutting back on their electric bills
