LIGHTING

• Non-Labour-Intensive || Low Time Input || Cost Nothing to Less         
  • Put signs to create reminders for members of the building, place them near entry doors, washrooms, and offices.
  • Reduce the usage and turn off lighting appliances in unoccupied areas.
  • Go full LED in all your lighting appliances and avoid high wattages.
  • Opt for T5/T8 tubes rather than T12 tubes.
  • Make sure that exterior lights are turned off during the day.
  • Use motion sensors for outdoor lighting.
  • Opt for LED exit signs instead of incandescent ones.

• Fair Labour || Moderate Time Input || Cost a Little to Middle
  • Use smart lighting controls such as lighting appliances with timers and occupancy/motion sensors.
  • Make use of dimmable lighting to control electricity use.
  • Change the whole fixture to LED as some lighting fixtures are not compatible with LED bulbs/tubes.

• Labor Intensive || High Time Input || Cost More        
  • N / A

 

HEATING SYSTEMS (HVAC)

• Non-Labour-Intensive || Low Time Input || Cost Nothing to Less      
  • Use insulating shades such as multi-layered/blackout curtains.
  • Use natural ventilation such as windows or door screens.
  • Set thermostats to ideal and energy-efficient temperatures, depending on the season.
  • Put weather-stripping/door seals on doors to prevent air leakage.
  • Install caulking around openings that are susceptible to air leakage, this can be around windows, outlets, attic hatches, baseboards, and ducts.
  • Ensure that ceiling fans are rotating counter-clockwise during the summer and clockwise during the winter.
  • Make sure fan and furnace filters are clean and well-maintained.
  • Make sure cooling and reheat coils are well maintained.
  • Turn on the heating only if really necessary or reduce the temperature of your electrical heating by a few degrees especially at nighttime when sleeping.
  • Make use of natural heat and light from the sunlight in the windows to acquire passive solar energy.
  • Ensure adequate and proper pipes/ducts insulation to limit heat loss/transfer; and also, to prevent condensation.
  • Turn off furnaces and boilers until the heating season, such as fall, starts.
  • Turn off standing natural gas pilots in furnaces/boilers during the spring, which is when the heating season ends.
  • Turn off exhaust fans that are not in use
  • Use a dehumidistat to control exhaust fans in areas with high humidity.

• Fair Labour || Moderate Time Input || Cost a Little to Middle
  • Use smart and setback thermostats.
  • Use high-efficiency air filters.
  • Install a heat recovery ventilator.
  • Insulate the attic with spray foam insulation to seal all openings and prevent air leakage.
  • Upgrade air conditioning units, opt for ones that have a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Coefficient of Performance (COP)

• Labor Intensive || High Time Input || Cost More     
  • Use rooftop units (RTUs).
  • Upgrade to geothermal heating
  • Upgrade to a high-efficiency condensing furnace
  • Upgrade to a high-efficiency condensing boiler
  • Opt for/make use of a decentralized heating system to have the flexibility of heating the only occupied or necessary rooms.

 

PLUG LOADS AND APPLIANCES

• • Non Labour-Intensive || Low Time Input || Cost Nothing to Less 
    • Choose energy-efficient appliances (Refrigerator, stove, dryer)
    • Make use of the “power saver” feature of your appliances, if applicable.
    • Unplug the charger once the battery is fully charged.
    • Unplug appliances that are not in use as they continuously siphon electricity even when turned off.
    • Maximize freezer space.
    • Ensure correct fridge (2.5° – 5°) and freezer (-18°) temperatures for energy efficiency.

  • Fair Labour || Moderate Time Input || Cost a Little to Middle     
    • Use smart power strips/bars that have motion sensors or features that allow it to turn off when other peripheral devices are turned off as well.
    • Make use of timers that have programmed schedules, making outlets turn on/off upon the arrival/departure of occupants.

  • Labor Intensive || High Time Input || Cost More     
    • Upgrade/replace appliances with ENERGY STAR-certified ones as they have more high energy efficiency standards and energy optimization

 

 

WATER (HOT WATER SYSTEMS)

 Non Labour-Intensive || Low Time Input || Cost Nothing to Less

• • Only use water when necessary: Reduce shower time and choose showers over baths.
  • Do the laundry with cold water and not hot.
  • Insulate the hot water tank with an insulating blanket to reduce heat loss.
  • Insulate the first 5 feet of hot and cold water pipes connected to the water tank.

• Fair Labour || Moderate Time Input || Cost a Little to Middle     
  • Use low-flow aerators
  • Opt for low-flow water fixtures such as more energy-efficient showerheads, faucets, toilets, etc.
  • Anticipate and repair leaks in the plumbing fixtures.
  • Turn off and drain hot water tanks that are not used in the summer
  • Install toilet retrofit devices, such as early closure devices, to reduce water usage in toilets.
• Labor Intensive || High Time Input || Cost More     
  • Install a tankless water heater.
  • Install a condensing hot water tank.
  • Upgrade to an electric water heater.

 

 

BUILDING ENVELOPE

• Non Labour-Intensive || Low Time Input || Cost Nothing to Less 
  • Inspect the building envelope from time to time, both interior and exterior, to remain aware of the building’s condition. Such inspection can be non-exhaustive. Visual, or extensive.

• Fair Labour || Moderate Time Input || Cost a Little to Middle      
  • Use a thermal imaging camera to identify weak spots in the building that are susceptible to heat loss.
  • Hire a professional to perform a professional building energy audit.
  • Upgrade damaged or old doors to energy efficient ones, preferably ones with a higher resistance value.

• Labor Intensive || High Time Input || Cost More        
  • Insulate areas that have gaps and are prone to thermal bridging
  • Upgrade windows to ones that have higher U-values. Opt for double/triple-pane glass.