With the arrival of warmer temperatures, it’s the perfect time to rethink your electricity usage and make savings while preserving the environment.
Through various energy efficiency measures, you can reduce your electricity consumption and realize substantial savings.
In this article, we will explore different ways to reduce your electricity consumption this spring.
Showerhead Replacement
By replacing your shower heads with less energy-consuming models, you can reduce your electricity consumption and your electricity bill.
In Quebec, the average shower duration is 8 minutes, according to Hydro-Québec, making it easy to calculate potential savings.
The cost of this measure per household is approximately $30 per showerhead. With an average of 2.25 people per household, the annual savings per household would be 620 kilowatt-hours and $50 less on the bill.
In Quebec level, this translates to more than 3.7 million showerheads and $111 million for the measure.
With a population of over 8.3 million individuals, the energy savings at the provincial level would be approximately 2 terawatt-hours. This would generate a substantial saving of drinking water, equivalent to 50 to 70 Olympic-sized pools annually!
In addition to the energy saved by households for heating water, municipalities would save on water pumping and treatment.
Heat Recovery to Limit Electricity Consumption
Another way to reduce your electricity consumption is to opt for a drain water heat recovery system.
A drain water heat recovery system, often called Power-Pipe or ThermoDrain, can recover approximately 40% of the heat from drain water during showers.
The drain water heat recovery system operates on the same principle as a HRV (heat recovery ventilator).
When you take a shower, the hot water already used, called graywater, flows through the drainpipe with heat. The goal is to recover this heat.
While the graywater flows vertically, cold water circulates counter-currently in a coil, preheating with the heat of the graywater. This preheated water can then be used to feed the water heater or the shower mixer.
Window Caulking
This measure includes caulking, installing door sweeps, and refurbishing doors and windows.
The aim is to reduce infiltration. Hydro-Québec estimates a potential reduction of 11.5%. The measure would cost approximately $150.
Instead of replacing existing windows at a high cost, it is possible to improve the energy performance of existing windows at a more acceptable cost.
There are metallic coated film products available on the market that can be applied to windows to reduce heat transmission by radiation to the outside of the room, especially in cold weather.
Heat Pump Installation
Recent heat pumps can efficiently produce heat even at temperatures below -25°C, with high efficiency.
Even though the rigor of the Quebec climate does not allow most residences to be heated solely with a heat pump, its use will nevertheless result in a significant reduction in annual heating energy.
Hydro-Québec offers subsidy programs for purchase and installation.
Roof Insulation
Did you know that in Quebec, heating spaces accounts for an average of 50% of household energy consumption?
Roof insulation involves adding insulation to the attic.
This work may require strengthening the roof structure and installing a vapour barrier and an air barrier to prevent any structural degradation due to interstitial condensation, which would be favoured by the addition of insulation.
By taking measures to improve these aspects, you can maintain heat inside your home while reducing your energy consumption and thus, your electricity bill. By adopting these energy efficiency measures, you can reduce your electricity consumption, save on your electricity bill, and contribute to environmental preservation.
With Parker & Poirier Électrique, transform your energy consumption this spring for a more sustainable future!
For any questions, contact us!
(438) 408-6348 / ✉️info@parkerpoirierelectrique.com
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