People often suggest that saving energy and saving money is common sense. But the problem most of us have is that in order to save money, an investment is usually required. This is counterintuitive, hence the old adage: “You have to spend money to make money”.

To help you get past this obstacle and help you down the “greener path” of saving energy and money, we have developed the Seven Golden Rules of Home Energy Saving. These simple rules will help improve your comfort, safety and improve your monthly cashflow.

1. Turn the heat down at night, or when rooms remain unoccupied, or buy an inexpensive programmable thermostat which will do the work for you;
2. Stop drafts by using caulking, spray foam insulation and weather stripping;
3. Replace inefficient light bulbs and inefficient appliances with efficient LED light bulbs and Energy Star appliances;
4. Set the hot water tank to a reasonable temperature (the minimum safe temperature is 60°C or 120°F), wrap hot water piping with insulation, and install low-flow water fixtures;
5. Keep the heat in by upgrading the insulation in attics, walls and crawl spaces;
6. Remove excess moisture with properly vented exhaust fans;
7. Switch off or unplug lights and electrical equipment and appliances when not being used. Televisions, and other electronic devices, still use energy even when turned off.

Safety tip: installing a smoke and a carbon monoxide detector can potentially save your life.

To save energy, it is important to keep in mind that the long-term energy savings more than pay for the upfront cost. And the good news is that there are plenty of incentives and government rebate program in place to help with the upfront costs. Plus, implementing the energy saving measures will save you significant money in the long-run, and that savings can then be used for other priorities.

The seven golden rules are mutually reinforcing, fixing a leaky door with weather-stripping or toping up insulation will inevitably lead saving money on your heating bill.

If you are not the do-it-yourself type, there are many people and organizations out there that can help you take the most appropriate steps to save energy and save money. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and seek professional support and technical expertise to implement energy and housing solutions that work best for your home and situation.