The
earth is our home, and it is in need of our care and attention........
WWOW
is a member of the Green Communities Association, which has developed
the Home Energy Saver Program and offers support, training and advice
to the community.
Home
Advisors and Community Outreach workers with diverse language skills
help families to identify possible ways to save money, improve
the comfort of homes and help the environment.
WWOW
has visited ethnocultural families in the Waterloo Region encouraging
residents to work together to improve their community's health.
The program focuses on energy efficiency, water efficiency, alternative
household cleaning items, reducing household waste and lifestyle
improvements.
What
To Expect From An Energy Visit
A Green
Home Assessor will arrive at your door and identify themselves as
an assessor. They will empower you to be able to identify possible
energy losses in your home, including hydro, heat and water. Main
areas addressed will be windows, heating and cooling systems, basements,
washrooms, attics, patio rooms and others. Also
the assessor will bring to your attention indoor air quality and
the products being used in the home that harm both the environment
and your family's health. For a home energy visit please contact
us at wwow@web.net
Benefits
of a Home Energy visit
- A
more comfortable home
- A
Healthier environment for your family
-
reduced greenhouse effect
- conserve natural resources
- Customers
save on utility bills
-
reduced cost of heating
- reduced cost of water consumption
- improved
air quality
- savings
on cleaning products
In June 2001, the Home Energy Saver Program received an Environmental
Sustainability Award from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo
for our environmental efforts. In November 2001, we received a Certificate
of Appreciation from the Ontario Ministry of Environment for our
fight against the risk of climate change.
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Energy Saving Tips |
Cooling
and Heating |
- reduce
the temperature of your home a few degrees at night
and when you’re away.
- Clean or replace the air filter on
your furnace every month to improve efficiency
- Install ceiling fans and use them
to supplement or even as an alternative to air conditioning
– ceiling fans generally use very little electricity.
-To save more on central AC costs, try
cooling your home to only 24 or 25 ÞC instead
of the low 20’s. Each degree below 26 ÞC
will noticeably increase your electricity use!
|
Water
Heater |
- Drain
a pail of water from your natural gas hot water tank
every 3 months.
- Be sure to use the vacation setting
or turn off the water heater when you are out of town. |
Refrigerator |
- Set
the temperature for only as cold as you need
- Clean your refrigerator’s coils
(back) and air intake grill (below the doors) every
3 months.
- Allow hot foods to cool before putting
them in the refrigerator.
- Keep refrigerators and freezers out
of direct sunlight
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Stove
+ Oven |
- Generally,
thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking,
unless the label says otherwise.
- Don’t use a bigger pot than
you need, and match it to the right size element.
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For more advice visit the
Natural Resources Canada website for summer
and fall/winter
tips,
or
Every
Kilowatt Counts - a website recommended by Ontario
Power Authority.
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