10 Energy Saving Tips That Will Help Reduce Your Hydro Bill

Just ten years ago, hydro rates in Ontario were as low as 3¢ per kWh during off-peak hours. That number nearly tripled last year when rates were at a staggering 8.7¢ per kWh, causing many homeowners to seek out ways to make their homes more energy efficient. 

Today, we're rounding up our top 10 tips you can use to help reduce your monthly hydro bill.

#1: Change your lightbulbs

There was a time when light bulbs were simply light bulbs, but in recent years LED lights have been rising in popularity -- and for good reason. Switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to LED lights is a simple upgrade that yields great returns - because they're 75% more efficient, upgrading can help save you money.

You can even save on the cost of the light bulbs themselves by using coupons from Save On Energy's website. The light bulb coupons range from $3 to $8 each, which really adds up when you're replacing all the bulbs throughout your home.

#2: Get a programmable thermostat

Set it and forget it! Not only are programmable thermostats more convenient than the antiquated manual thermostats of yesterday, they also help you save money over time. Plus you can take $10 off the cost of purchasing one when you use a coupon. Download your programmable thermostat coupon from Save on Energy's website here: $10 Off Baseboard Programmable Thermostats.

There are a range of programmable thermostat options available on the market today ranging from fairly basic to high-tech. Most basic models start at around the $50 mark. If you want all the bells and whistles, the ecobee3 lite made by Toronto-based company ecobee is a little steeper at $219, but can reportedly save an average of 23% annually on heating and cooling costs.

#3: Install ceiling fans

Room air conditioners use an average of 1,000 watts of power while in use, whereas ceiling fans use approximately 50 watts, making them 19x more efficient. They're also a great compliment to your central air system, allowing you to turn the air on when it's really needed rather than blasting it all the time.

And guess what... there's a coupon for ceiling fans too. Save $10 on the purchase of ENERGY STAR® certified ceiling fans when you redeem the coupon from Save on Energy's website.

#4: Use timers and motion sensors

There's always at least one family member who constantly leaves all the lights on in the house. Rather than reminding them to turn things off until you're blue in the face, save your energy by installing motion sensors  and timers throughout your home.

When most people think of motion sensing lighting, they typically think of outdoor lights. What you might not have considered is just how handy they can be indoors.

Another pro tip: you can also install timers on your bathroom exhaust fans so you don't have to return to the scene of the crime once the air has cleared.

Get coupons to save on lighting control products including indoor motion sensors, timers and dimmer switches here: Save $3 on Lighting Control Products.

#5: String up a clothes line

Clotheslines are a great way to save on your hydro bill, and they're not just for the summer months or homeowners with ample outdoor space. There are indoor alternatives available so you can take advantage of the savings year-round, such as retractable indoor clotheslines and clothes drying racks.

If you do have a backyard, hanging clothes outside on the line is perfect on a sunny day. Save money when you purchase an outdoor clothesline or umbrella stand with this coupon: $10 Off Outdoor Clotheslines.

#6: Choose ENERGY STAR® products

If you're looking for high-efficiency products, look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol - the official mark of energy efficient products in Canada.

There's a long list of ENERGY STAR® certified products available. From your refrigerator to your furnace, there's an option for every appliance in your home. Beyond appliances, there are also certified windows and doors, computers, televisions and tons more. Check out the full list of products and learn about the initiative on ​Natural Resources Canada's website.

#7: Plan for off-peak hours

By making small changes in your day to day routine, you can take full advantage of of Time of Use (TOU) pricing and save tons on your hydro bill each month. 

Before 7:00am and after 7:00pm are the best times to tackle the household chores that use up the most energy, such as running the dishwasher and doing laundry. During peak hours in the summer months, consider using a fan instead of turning on the air conditioning. In the winter, a cozy sweater and a cuppa might be all that's needed rather than blasting the heat.

#8: Be aware of phantom power

According to Hydro One, "phantom power" can account for up to 10% of household electricity use, and "the average Canadian home has 25 or more electronic devices that use phantom power, costing approximately $150 a year in electricity". Ouch!

Use this coupon to save $4 of the purchase of power bars with automatic shutoffs - it's one of the most convenient and cost effective ways to combat phantom power usage. 

#9: Check for drafty windows and doors

Draft-proof your home and save big time! Inefficient windows and doors have a big impact on how energy efficient your house is overall. There are solutions to this common problem ranging from simple and inexpensive to more comprehensive investments. 

You can save $2 on weatherstripping with this coupon from Save on Energy for the simple fixes. If that's not cutting it for you, it might be time to look at replacing your windows and doors with ENERGY STAR® certified upgrades.

#10: Invest in an energy audit

The most efficient way to determine how you can save on hydro for your home specifically is to invest in having an energy audit. Hire a trusted, licensed electrician to conduct a complete home assessment. Make sure that they provide you with a complete list of their recommendations along with the estimated cost for the work, and projected annual savings. 

The old adage "you've got to save money to make money" often applies when taking on a big project like this all at once, but it will pay dividends over time. Some people find it more manageable to spread the work out room-by-room over time. Whichever you decide is best for you, you'll be taking a step in the right direction. 

We hope you learned something new from these tips! What are you doing to save money on your hydro bill? Let us know in the comments.

​PS: You can download all of the coupons listed above by clicking the button below. Happy saving!

Download 2017 Coupons