Lifestyle Carbon Calculator
Tips
Did you know? If you lower your temperature by just 1° Celsius for eight hours each day, you can reduce your heating costs by up to 2%.
Switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 66% less energy and last about 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 25-watt CFL will save approximately $30 in electricity over the life of the bulb. Also, CFLs usually only need to be replaced every five to six years, which reduces the number of light bulbs you need to purchase.
Power Smart Specials on ENERGY STAR® Lighting
Power Smart Specials on ENERGY STAR® Lighting
Draftproof your home. Plug air leaks with caulking, sealing or weather stripping to save money on your energy bill. Draftproofing is relatively inexpensive, and generally has the fastest payback of all energy saving measures.
Use ceiling fans to keep cool. Unlike air conditioning, ceiling fans don't cool the room. Instead, they move air downward which creates a cooling effect upon people in the room. The movement of air increases the rate at which moisture evaporates from the skin, which makes people feel cooler. Fans achieve this cooling effect while using significantly less energy than air conditioning.
Use ceiling fans to keep warm. In cold weather, use ceiling fans to increase your comfort. Set the fan to drive air upward to break up the heat that rises and collects against the ceiling. By creating a more consistent temperature in the room, the thermostat may not need to be set as high.
A laptop computer uses up to 90% less energy than a desktop. A typical laptop computer has a maximum power consumption of 15 watts and extensive power management capabilities. A typical desktop PC, with display, consumes about 10 times that, or 150 watts, and has less-effective power management features. The potential energy savings from substituting PCs with portable laptops are significant, particularly if you don't plug the laptop into a separate display monitor. If you have the choice between using a laptop or desktop computer, use the laptop to save energy.
Put rugs on cold floors. If your feet are cold, your body will likely feel cold and you may turn up the heat. By placing area rugs on cold floors, you may be less likely to crank the thermostat.
Energy Efficient Residental Gas-Fired Water - From February 20, 2008 to December 31, 2009, inclusive, qualifying gas-fired water heaters are exempt from PST when purchased or leased for residential purposes. Gas-fired water heaters are eligible for an exemption if they have an energy factor of 0.80 or greater. This includes qualifying gas-fired storage water heaters and gas-fired instantaneous water heaters.
Hit the showers - Did you know that a short shower uses about half as much water as a bath? Taking a shower instead of a bath uses less water and less energy, which costs you less. Plus, if you install a low-flow showerhead you can save even more.
Insulate your hot water pipes. Insulating your hot water pipes will reduce heat loss, and may even allow you to slightly reduce the temperature setting on your hot water tank.
Did you know? A domestic solar hot water system can meet approximately 50% of your total hot water needs. In addition to LiveSmart BC and federal incentives, a $1,000 incentive is available: See http://www.solarbc.ca for more information.
Did you know? ENERGY STAR® labelled dishwashers can save up to 20% on water heating costs
Use energy-saving wash cycles. Most dishwashers have various wash cycles you can select. The energy-saving feature helps you use less water and save energy.
Use the "no-heat" dry feature. Most dishwashers have a built-in electric heating element that bakes dishes dry. The "no-heat" dry feature circulates room air through the dishwasher. If your dishwasher does not have this feature, turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse and open the door to air dry.
Wash only full loads. The dishwasher will use the same amount of water if it is half empty or completely full. Load dishes until the machine is full, according to manufacturer's directions. This will allow for optimum performance.
Don't pre-rinse. Some people rinse their dishes in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher. Don't bother! It will save more water and energy if you simply scrape excess food off plates and cutlery. Your dishwasher is designed to take care of the rest.
ENERGY STAR® Qualified Clothes Washers - From February 20, 2008 to March 31, 2010 inclusive, qualifying energy efficient clothes washers designed for residential use are exempt from PST. Residential clothes washers (including integrated clothes washer-dryer units) qualify for exemption if they are listed as being ENERGY STAR® Qualified by the Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada, at the time of purchase or lease.
Wash your clothes in cold water. The single most important thing you can do to reduce the energy consumption of your clothes washer is wash in cold water. Water heating accounts for 90% of the energy consumption of washing machines and washing machines are capable of cleaning with great results in cooler water temperatures.
Air-dry your clothes to save electricity. An electric clothes dryer typically uses the most electricity of any appliance in a home. Reduce the energy your dryer consumes by air drying your clothes whenever possible. An outdoor clothes line uses heat from the sun and the flow of air to dry your clothes. An indoor clothes rack may take longer to dry, but it is an energy efficient alternative to the clothes dryer. Be careful to avoid humidity problems if you dry your clothes indoors during the winter months.
Save electricity by using your clothes dryer more efficiently. An electric clothes dryer typically uses the most electricity of any appliance in a home. The way you operate your clothes dryer can affect the amount of energy that it uses.
Throw in a dry towel when drying heavy loads, adding a dry towel may reduce the time needed to dry the clothes. The towel will absorb excess moisture as the clothes dry. Don't add wet items to a partially dry load, as the increased moisture will slow the drying process for all the items.
ENERGY STAR® Qualified Refrigerators and Freezers - From February 20, 2008 to March 31, 2010 inclusive, qualifying energy efficient refrigerators and freezers designed for residential use are exempt from PST. Residential refrigerators and freezers qualify for exemption if they are listed as being ENERGY STAR® Qualified by the Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada, at the time of purchase or lease.
Close the door. Possibly the easiest thing you can do to save energy with your fridge is to make sure that the door is not left open. By opening the door infrequently and for short periods of time, you will reduce the energy the fridge uses to keep food cold.
Did you know? A ten-year-old refrigerator can cost twice as much to operate compared to a new energy-efficient model of the same size. And chest freezers are more energy efficient than upright models. If you have a fridge that measures between 10-24 cubic feet and is still in working condition, BC Hydro will pick it up, recycle it and give you $30 for it.
ENERGY STAR® Qualified Refrigerators and Freezers - From February 20, 2008 to March 31, 2010 inclusive, qualifying energy efficient refrigerators and freezers designed for residential use are exempt from PST. Residential refrigerators and freezers qualify for exemption if they are listed as being ENERGY STAR® Qualified by the Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada, at the time of purchase or lease.
Freezer motors and compressors generate heat, so allow enough space for continuous air flow around your freezer. And remember if possible keep your freezer away from heat vents, direct sunlight and the oven.
Full freezers operate more efficiently. If your freezer isn't full, fill plastic containers with water and freeze them. This will also help in the event of a power outage.
Check the door seals. Gaskets on your freezer door can deteriorate over time. Gaskets that do not seal properly can waste a lot of energy. To check the gasket, place a piece of paper between the door and the freezer as you close it. If you can move the paper freely from the door, it is not sealed tightly. Another method is to put a light inside the freezer to check for leaks. If you can see light around the door gasket, it is not sealing properly.
Check the temperature. The temperature inside your freezers should operate at -18°C (0°F). Keeping temperatures just 5°C (9°F) below recommended temperatures can increase energy use by as much as 25%.
The Scrap-It Program. The Scrap-It Program is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality by getting older vehicles off the road.
The Program offers qualifying vehicle owners incentives to scrap their older vehicle. The incentive values are based on the greenhouse gas reduction that occurs when an old vehicle is scrapped and an incentive is used as a replacement.
Incentives valued at $2,000 or more are offered for the incentives with the highest greenhouse benefit. These incentives include very low emission vehicles, transit passes, or the transit pass/bicycle combination. Click here for more information.
The Program offers qualifying vehicle owners incentives to scrap their older vehicle. The incentive values are based on the greenhouse gas reduction that occurs when an old vehicle is scrapped and an incentive is used as a replacement.
Incentives valued at $2,000 or more are offered for the incentives with the highest greenhouse benefit. These incentives include very low emission vehicles, transit passes, or the transit pass/bicycle combination. Click here for more information.
ecoAuto Rebate. As part of the Government of Canada's plan to protect the environment, the ecoAUTO Rebate Program encourages Canadians to buy new fuel-efficient vehicles. It offers rebates from $1,000 to $2,000, to people who, beginning March 20, 2007, buy or enter a long-term lease (12 months or more) for a fuel-efficient vehicle that meet the required criteria.
The ecoAuto Rebate Program application form is now available.
For more tips from the Government of Canada on buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, click here.
The ecoAuto Rebate Program application form is now available.
For more tips from the Government of Canada on buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, click here.
Slow down. Reducing highway speed from 100 km/h to 90 km/h improves fuel economy by about 10 per cent and will save you $164 a year in fuel. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 50 per cent of the fuel consumed in city driving is used during acceleration. So reduce your acceleration to burn less fuel.
Take transit. You can save over $500 per year by switching to transit, rather than driving to work. The $14 billion Provincial Transit Plan aims to double transit ridership.
Car sharing. The way these work is fairly simple. Throughout the city there are hundreds of designated cars parked on the streets, just waiting to be driven. When a car is needed, members book the car closest to them online (some groups use mapping technology which allows them to see where each car is) and then using their key card or fob they can unlock it and drive it right away. Vancouver's two big car-sharing groups are the locally owned Co-operative Auto Network (or CAN) and Zipcar. In Victoria there's also the Victoria Car Share Co-op.
Stay tuned up and pumped up. If you regularly tune up your vehicle and maintain proper tire inflation you can reduce fuel consumption by 10 per cent. This will save the average driver $200 in fuel over a year. A 20 per cent drop in tire pressure will increase fuel consumption by about 10 per cent. Check your tire pressure monthly and get your car tuned up after every 5,000 km.
Did you know? Don't idle. Idling for 10 minutes a day can produce about a quarter tonne of CO2 emissions each year and cost you about $70 in wasted fuel. If you stop for more than 10 seconds, except in traffic, turn off your engine and save.
Book direct flights. Did you know that it's the taking off and landing that is worst for the environment? A direct flight produces less CO2 emissions that an equivalent flight with many stops. Also, try to minimize the number of flights you take by combining trips. For example, book more than one meeting in your destination city, so you don't need to fly there several times.
When ever possible fly economy, not business class. Each business class seat takea up more room than an economy seat. The more people per plane means fewer emissions per passenger.
Note: This calculator does not save any data, nor does it create or store a personal profile. The information from this tool is intended for personal use only and the conversion factors for carbon emissions are based on provincial averages only and not intended for statistical reporting or medical purposes.
debugclear
