Welcome to the heating & cooling challenge! Home heating accounts for over 63% of the energy used in the average Canadian home so we must take a look at this.
In this blog post, we will share SIMPLE lifestyle hacks that have a HUGE impact on carbon footprint.
Keep your house at a cooler temperature at night
We programmed our thermostat to keep it at 16C from 10pm-5am. Since we are covered under blankets, there is no need to heat the house that much at night.
This is something we hadn’t ever paid attention to. We just kept the heat on at night without even thinking about it. Just a few degrees make a huge difference.
After bringing the temperature down for one night, we asked our kids if they noticed that it was colder. Here are their responses:
This change didn’t seem to bother our children!
Change your HVAC filters regularly
Just like any appliance, an HVAC system operates optimally when it’s clean and well-maintained. Oli, the Dad of the Proulx-Coll family is the master of HVAC filter management. He purchases four air filters at once to ensure he’s always prepared. But Oli doesn’t stop there! To avoid any forgetful mishaps, he sets up a smart reminder on his phone specifically for filter replacements. With this wise strategy, Oli keeps his HVAC system running smoothly while saving energy at the same time.

Insulate your water heater
Improve your energy efficiency and save money with this simple tip: Put a jacket on your water heater!
Just like insulating your walls or roof, adding insulation to your water heater is an easy and inexpensive way to make a big impact. By reducing heat losses by 25%–45%, you can potentially save 7%–16% on your water heating costs. The best part? It could pay for itself in just one year! 💰
Don’t miss out on this cost-effective solution for a more energy-efficient home. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets for your water heater for around $20. Start saving and insulate your water heater today! 🌿💧
Use heavy blankets at night
As the weather cools down, this is your reminder to get your heavy blankets out! 🌙✨
Not only do heavy blankets provide comfort, but using them also allows us to turn down the heat and conserve energy.
Wear a sweater to stay warm in the house
We hope that these hacks will help you think about simple ways YOU can contribute to decreasing your carbon footprint.