Introduction and Background

The Energy Efficient Home

Energy Audits and Calculators
Approaches to Saving Energy
New Technology
Energy Conservation Incentives
Conclusion

Definition -Energy conservation is the practice of

decreasing the quantity of energy used. It may be
achieved through efficient energy use, in which case
energy use is decreased while achieving a similar
outcome, or by reduced consumption of energy
services. Energy conservation may result in increase of
financial capital, environmental value, national
security, personal security, and human comfort.
Individuals and organizations that are direct
consumers of energy may want to conserve energy in
order to reduce energy costs and promote economic
security. Industrial and commercial users may want to
increase efficiency and thus maximize profit

Sustainable Energy
A three legged stool
1) Conservation Use less!
2) Improve Efficiency Technology and do
more with less
3) Renewable Energy Invest in the future

Were the Energy Hogs of the World

Household Consumption

Texas
14,000 kw hour/year
Ontario
10,000 kw hour/year
California 6,500 kw hour/year
Netherlands 3,000 kw hour/year

How energy is used

in Ontario homes
Space heating 57-62%
Water heating 20-21%
Appliances 12-13%
Lighting 4-5%
Cooling 0-7%

For an annual energy

bill of $2,000
$1,140 - $1,240
$400 - $420
$240 - $260
$80 - $100
$0 - $200

Typical Annual Heating Costs

Geothermal
$407
Natural Gas
$773 - $1,186
Electric
$1,017
Fuel Oil
$2,076 - $2,976
Propane
$2,082 - $2,968
Wood Pellet
$
Wood

Annual Water Heating Costs

Geothermal Assisted Electric $170
Natural Gas
$180-$320
Electric
$300-$530
Fuel Oil
$516-$591
Propane
$520-$650
Solar
$120-$210

Appliance
Watts
Clothes Dryer
5000
Clothes Washer 500
Computer
200
Dishwasher
1300
Food Freezer
350
Microwave Oven 1000
Stove(Oven)
5000
Fridge
500
Television
100
Air Conditioner 1000

Annual Use
1200
600
1200
156
252
600
6000
900
240
1100

Cost
122.70
6.12
24.60
16.08
25.92
6.12
612.20
92.40
24.60
113.00

Quick Tips to save energy in the home

Improving a homes air tightness can reduce
consumption by 15-40%
Front loading washers use 50% less electricity
and up to 50% less water
Programmable thermostat 2 for 1
Microwave ovens use up to 75% less
Laptop computers use 90% less
Buying Energy Star appliances can save 25%+

Electricity Efficiency Tips - Save energy with

these simple, practical tips. Many of these
suggestions dont require tools or out-of-pocket
expense. Watch over time to see your energy
efficiency increase and your savings grow. Go
to the OPA website for a complete list and
interactive forum for all appliances and heating
and cooling devices :
http://www.everykilowattcounts.com/toolsand-tips/

Websites for more Facts and Insights on how to

save energy in your home
www.everykilowattcounts.com/residential/
http://www.torontohydro.com/electricsystem
/powerwise/index.cfm
http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuse
action=conservation.tips
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/english/index.cfm

Green Buildings The typical house can

cause twice the greenhouse gas emissions
of the typical car
Buildings use 12% of the total water
consumed, contribute 30% of our
greenhouse gases contribute 65% of the
waste output and consume 70% of the
total electricity consumed by Canadians

Whats Being Done?

R-2000
Leadership in Engineering and
Environmental Design (LEED)
Energy Star
Green Build

Home

Institutional

Commercial

R-2000

A building standard based mainly on

energy targets
Superior construction methods
including lots of insulation, high
quality windows and doors,
elimination of leaks and drafts
Take advantage of passive solar and
high efficiency heat, cooling and air
exchange

LEEDS
Point System
Four Levels of Certification
Certified
Silver
Gold
Platinum

Six Categories

Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation

ENERGY STAR for New Homes

The ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative
promotes energy efficiency guidelines that
enable new homes to be approximately
30 percent more energy efficient than those
built to minimum provincial building codes..
This initiative is currently available in Ontario
and Saskatchewan and is managed for Natural
Resources Canada by regional service
organizations.

Energy-efficient construction techniques and

products
Improved indoor environments
Water-efficient products and processes
Renewable Energy options
Waste reduction and recycling during
construction
Smart growth and sustainable land
development practices

Built Green Four Levels and Eight Categories

Operational Systems
Building Materials
Outside and Inside finishes
Indoor Air Quality
Waste Management
Ventilation
Water Conservation
Business practices

Home Energy audit shows where your home leaks and

identifies improvements that can be made to heating,
cooling, hot water and other energy uses in the home
The Government of Ontario will pay 50% of your
Home Energy Audit, up to $150.
The audit will explain your home's energy use attic
to basement. A typical audit involves the following
steps:
A walk-through assessment of your homes insulation,
heating and cooling systems and other energy uses
A blower door depressurization test to identify leaks
and drafts
A personalized Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report

The audit will explain your home's energy use attic

to basement. A typical audit involves the following
steps:
A walk-through assessment of your homes insulation,
heating and cooling systems and other energy uses
A blower door depressurization test to identify leaks
and drafts
A personalized Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report
Many of the energy-saving upgrades identified by your
Home Energy Audit will qualify you for rebates under
the Home Energy Retrofit Program. These rebates from
the Governments of Ontario and Canada can
reimburse you up to $10,000* when you complete
improvements identified by your audit.

To Get Started
To qualify for rebates, you need to first
complete a Home Energy Audit with a certified
energy advisor. After this audit, you have 18
months to make some or all of the upgrades
your energy advisor recommends. After
completing the work, you need a post-retrofit
audit. You will receive rebates for the amounts
allowed for each eligible upgrade you make,
up to $10,000, even if you do the work yourself

Where to start
Call 1-888-668-4636
Website - http://www.homeenergyontario.ca
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/
Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
900 Bay Street, 4th Floor
Hearst Block
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2E1

Energy Calculators
Wattage # x Hours used 1,000 = kWh (kilowatt
hours)kWh x $0.1027 = Total kWh Charge (price for
electricity will vary by location)
A variety of calculators are available to measure a
range of energy uses, alternatives and different
applications.
For appliances check
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/equipment/english/page26.cf
m?attr=4
http://www.hydroonenetworks.com/en/efficiency/a
ppliance_calculator/

For Home Heating check:

http://www.epa.gov/seahome/energy.html
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/home_en
ergy_costs.shtml
For a variety of other applications check
http://www.everykilowattcounts.com/toolsand-tips/

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Part of an effective

conservation program
Energy Audit Identify your best bets
Energy Calculator Identify those areas that
use the most energy Remember home heating
accounts for 60%+ of your energy consumption
with hot water next!
Make a plan, set some goals
Involve the whole family

Increase everyones understanding of the

benefits of energy efficiency
Make the link between actions and behaviour
by individuals and potential savings
Motivate users to modify behaviour
Share the goal of reducing energy consumption
and saving money

Not the silver bullet yet

Green Building Most of this new technology
is expected to be in the new Ontario Building
Code planned for 2012 but you can access
and use it now!
Energy Star government-backed symbol for
energy efficiency meets federally regulated
minimum energy performance standards
(M
PS)

Smart Meters
Will replace existing meters and record &
report your electricity usage by hour
Will enable you to better manage your
electricity consumption and take advantage of
time of use pricing
Will be in place in every home and business by
2010

Smart Meters
Youll be able to take action to shift your use
to lower priced times
Real hourly data about your electricity use
will be available over the internet
Youll get more information to better reflect
your usage pattern on your bill
Research in Europe and Ontario has shown
real reductions of 5%-15%

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Renewable Energy Incentives
Remote Smart Metering for all appliances
By changing just one incandescent light bulb to
a compact flourescent, the NE region of
Ontario could save over $1,000,000 in
electricity!

Incentives

Home Energy Audit Program

- Govt of Ontario pays 50% up to $150
- Upgrades Identified are eligible for up to
$10,000 in federal and provincial grants

Examples Include:

Energy Star Gas Furnace - $1000

Ground Water Source Heat Pump - $7000
5 Baseboard Program. Thermostats - $60
Upgrade Wood Burning Stove - $600
Instantaneous Gas Hotwater - $600
Attic Insulation bring up to R-40 - $800
Basement Insulation 20%-100% -$200-$1000

Ontario Power Authority Sponsored

The Great Refrigerator Round Up

$25 rebate when a program registered contractor installs a
programmable thermostat.
$125 rebate when you have an existing furnace replaced with the
purchase and installation of a mid or high-efficiency furnace with
an Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM).
$250 rebate when you have an existing central air conditioner
(CAC) replaced with the purchase and installation of an ENERGY
STAR qualified CAC system, heat pump or ductless split system
(NOTE: ENERGY STAR qualified criteria = minimum 14 SEER
and 11.5 EER ).
$400 rebate when you have an existing CAC replaced with the
purchase and installation of a stand-alone CEE "Tier 2" level
central air conditioning system or heat pump
Peaksaver - $25 if you let you local LCD cycle down your AC

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, a onestop resource for consumers who want to
improve their homes energy performance and
reduce costs
ISBN: 978-0-86571-602-5
Soft Cover, 5.5" x 8.5", 256 pp., illustrated,
index, 2007

The Low Hanging Fruit

Install Programmable Thermostats and turn the

heat down Remember each 1degree can save
2-3% on heating costs
Wrap your electric water heater in an approved
blanket and drain sediment annually
Turn off lights and appliances when not in use
Install ceiling fans in all possible locations
Use toaster oven or microwave for small to
medium sized meals

Defrost freezers and fridges and get rid of the

old ones
Switch your energy use to non peak times
Buy Energy Star appliances wherever possible
Plant a tree deciduous on the south conifer on
the north
Talk about it with family and friends!
Change furnace filters monthly
Check the air pressure in your car tires

The kind of thinking that has got us

into this situation is not the kind of

thinking that will get us out

- Albert Einstein