Cut costs at home with energy conservation over holidays, City of Medicine says

“As the temperature dips, consumption increases. For instance, you have to work harder to maintain that same level of temperature in your house,” she told CHAT News on Thursday.

“Other reasons for increase is obviously the holiday season, festivities, elaborate Christmas lights, inflatable decorations, all those electricity consumption hogs, if you will.”

She recommended using timing sensors for Christmas lights to not keep them on at all times.

Thermostats can be programmed to lower heat levels when no one is home.

Gross said to also be mindful of additional guests in a house, as this can affect the amount of cooking and laundry that is done, and vehicles that may be plugged in.

“The festivities also bring more guests to your house. Perhaps you’re cooking more, you’re using more appliances,” she said.

“With the school break, your kids are home for a couple weeks and perhaps additional family members are home,” she added.

“When your home is occupied all day, as opposed to when they’re in school and away at work, that obviously leads to increased energy consumption as well.”

Gross said that some devices often go disregarded, such as laptops or computers, that can act as a “power-suck” when not in use.

“All of the little things to be mindful of that will help curb that increase in consumption,” she said.

Gross suggested visiting the city of Medicine Hat’s website to access the eUtility resource, to assess current and past utility statements.

This can provide detailed consumption history, and help determine what is using the most energy in your home.

“Ultimately, the less we consume, the more there is to go around,” she said.

“It certainly helps use our resources wisely, it helps our pocketbooks by lowering the cost ultimately, so conservation is certainly key right now.”

by Jayk Sterkenburg

Cut costs at home with energy conservation over holidays, City of Medicine says

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