Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency improvements can make a significant difference in the amount of energy used and energy bills. It is estimated that without energy efficiency improvements, total Canadian energy demand would have increased by 36 percent between 1990 and 2006. However, through energy efficiency improvements, Canadian energy demand increased by only 21 percent, a 15 percent savings in energy. In addition, energy efficiency improvements saved Canadians approximately $14.5 billion in energy costs in 2004.

Figure 1 - Impact of Energy Efficiency Improvements on Canadian Energy Demand

Source: Office of Energy Efficiency

What steps can I take to help reduce my energy bill?

High energy prices and the expectation that prices will remain high over the foreseeable future have lead Canadians to think about ways to reduce their energy bills.

There are a number of ways to reduce energy consumption and save money. The least expensive, most immediate response is to use energy smarter and to conserve. Another way is to ensure energy using equipment is in good working order. The final way is replace older, less efficient energy-using equipment with the most energy efficient equipment that meets your needs.

1. Use Energy Smarter - Conserve!
   The easiest and most cost-effective way to reduce your energy costs is to monitor your current energy use and make small changes to reduce use, where possible. It can be as easy as turning off the lights when you leave a room!
2. Maintain Equipment!
   Making certain that your energy using equipment is in good working order can help to ensure fuel efficiency.
3. Choose Energy Efficiency!
   The first step to purchasing a new piece of equipment (e.g., appliance, heating and cooling equipment, vehicles) is to determine the characteristics and size of the equipment that would best fit your needs.

The next step is to choose the most fuel efficient product from among those that meet your needs. Fuel efficiency can vary widely from one piece of equipment to the next. By choosing an energy efficient product over a conventional model you can save a significant amount of money in fuel costs over the lifetime of the product.

Check for the ENERGY STAR® symbol on appliances (e.g., refrigerators); residential heating and cooling equipment (e.g., gas furnaces); office equipment (e.g., computers); consumer electronics (e.g., TVs); and, windows and sliding doors to help identify equipment that is among the most energy efficient in the market place.

Alternatively, check the EnerGuide label which allows you to compare the energy efficiency of the many different models of household appliances, heating and cooling products and vehicles sold in Canada.

The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) at Natural Resources Canada provides a number of tips on how to reduce energy use and therefore save you money. For additional hints on how to reduce energy consumption and fuel costs see Web sites listed under helpful links.

For further energy efficiency data and information, please see our Helpful Links.