Top 10 tips to save energy in your home

Everyone benefits if we make energy-saving improvements in our homes.

By paying attention to just a few key household components, we can eliminate drafts, reduce overheating in summer, control moisture and condensation problems, substantially reduce outside noise - and generally provide a healthier indoor environment.

Energy saving measures also help to improve the outdoor environment by lowering emissions. And, according to Alterna Savings, these improvements stand to deliver significant financial benefits too, such as lower energy bills and cash-back incentives from the federal government. For this purpose, Alterna Savings (alterna.ca) has partnered with Green$aver to provide a "green loan" to individuals and businesses for energyefficient assessments and retrofits.

Here are their Top 10 Tips to save energy in your house:

1. Install a highefficiency furnace, if your current furnace is low-efficiency and pre- 1990.

2. Install insulation in walls of house, if pre- 1950.

3. Insulate your basement, if currently unfinished or uninsulated.

4. Do comprehensive air sealing of leaks in your house, if pre-1960.

5. Replace fridge, freezer, and clothes washer with EnergyStar models.

6. Upgrade your windows and central air system to above SEER 13 rating.

7. Consider upgrading your furnace to ECM motor for heating and air conditioning improvement.

8. Reduce hot water consumption by setting the heater temperature correctly; washing only full laundry loads with cold water detergent; taking showers instead of baths.

9. Install compact fluorescent lighting wherever possible.

10. Turn off, or turn down, any energy item that you are not actually using. Many electronic devices use a small amount of power 24/7, even when apparently turned off. Connect them to a power bar and turn the power bar itself off.

- News Canada