Simple and easy tips to reduce your energy bill

• Unplug appliances and electronics that aren’t being used. Standby power accounts for up to 10% of household electricity use.

• Use smart power bars. Unlike regular power bars, smart power bars reduce or eliminate standby power. With a smart bar, you plug the primary device, such as a TV or computer, into the master socket. When the primary device is turned off, the smart power bar cuts power to all associated devices that are plugged into the other sockets, such as gaming consoles and printers. Turn off the primary device and all other devices get turned off automatically.

• Use an automatic car timer to save energy and money. Even on the coldest nights a block heater only needs to be turned on 3 hours before starting your car.

• Adjust your thermostat at night and when you’re not at home. In winter, lower the temperature by 3°C or more for at least 8 hours a day to save up to 4% on heating costs.

• Use a smart thermostat. It can be controlled remotely to set and adjust the climate of your home. It can also learn from your schedule and sense when you’re home and adjust the temperature accordingly.

• Turn down the heat or close the floor registers in rooms you aren’t in often.

• Turn on your television’s power saving mode to reduce energy consumption by adjusting the screen’s brightness.

— hydro.mb.ca/your_home