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Check for Leaky Faucets & Running Toilets
If your water usage (consumption) seems too high watch for leaky faucets and running toilets. Faulty plumbing can wreak havoc on your bill.
Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs
The average Red Deer home has approximately 35 incandescent light bulbs. If each homeowner replaces these bulbs with efficient fluorescent bulbs, lighting costs could be reduced by more than half.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer. When replacing incandescent lights choose a fluorescent bulb with a quarter of the wattage of the incandescent in order to get the same quality of light. The table below compares the life-cycle cost of a 15W fluorescent bulb:
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|
Incandescent |
Compact |
|
|
Bulb |
Fluorescent |
|
Watts Consumed |
60W |
15W |
|
Bulb Life |
1000 hours |
10000 hours |
|
No. Bulbs used over 10,000 hours |
10 |
1 |
|
kWh used over 10,000 hours |
600 kWh |
150 kWh |
|
Cost per kWh (average) |
$0.061 |
$0.061 |
|
Electricity cost per 10,000 hours |
$36.60 |
$9.15 |
|
Cost per bulb |
$1.00 |
$8.00 |
|
Bulb cost per 10,000 hours |
$10.00 |
$8.00 |
|
Total life-cycle cost |
$46.60 |
$17.15 |
|
Cost per year |
$5.18 |
$1.91 |
Cost per year for 35 bulbs |
$181.30 |
$66.85 |
* Based on 3 hours use per day, 10,000 hours is 9 years. Increases in the cost of electricity over 10,000 hours of use has not been considered.
You could save $3.27/bulb/year by replacing a 60W incandescent bulb with a 15W fluorescent bulb. If all 35 bulbs in a house were replaced there would be a $114.45 savings. While fluorescent bulbs may cost more initially they save you money in the long run with lower bills and fewer replacements. By using less electricity fluorescent bulbs also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Invest in a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats are inexpensive to buy (about $45), easy to install and an excellent way to reduce your energy bill. They automatically change the temperature of your house to coincide with your household's schedule. At times when everyone is away, it can be set to turn down the heat. In the evening it can turn the heat up again before you get home. At night, while your family sleeps, it can lower the temperature until it's time for your household's morning routine. The most energy efficient temperature settings are a difference between 4ºC home and away settings. For every degree the automatic thermostat lowers your heating level, you'll save 3% on your heating bill. It's a "set and forget" solution that adds up to big savings. Visit  Alberta Environment for more information on programmable thermostats.
*Information from Natural Resources Canada
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