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How to use less electricity at home

February 27, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

You need electricity, and we all have to pay for it.

However, there are ways of reducing your monthly electric bill by changing some habits and making adjustments in your home.

Phantom power occurs when electronic devices draw power even when not in use.

You can reduce phantom power usage by unplugging electronics when you’re not using them, plugging electronics into a power bar and switching it off, and setting up a charging station with a smart power strip to limit charging time.

Small changes to your home will help you reduce your power consumption.

Replace furnace filters every three months to reduce the energy usage of your furnace fan.

Use caulking and weather-stripping around doors and windows to keep heat in and reduce your energy use.

Take advantage of natural light during the day instead of relying on overhead lights.

By choosing the cold-water setting on your washing machine, you can reduce your appliance’s electricity usage by up to 90 per cent.

If you are buying new appliances, make sure to check out the power consumption of new units.

EnergyStar-related appliances are designed to use less power.

While remaining comfortable on hot days is important, avoid running your air conditioner between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., when electricity prices are highest during summer months.

You can choose how your electricity is billed. As of Nov. 1, 2020, most Regulated Price Plan electricity customers can choose either time-of-use or tiered pricing.

If you use most of your electricity during off-peak hours – evenings, overnight, and weekends – and have higher electricity demands, time-of-use may be your preferred pricing plan.

If you’re a time-of-use customer, the price of electricity is lower at night, on weekends, and on statutory holidays.

Electricity use in Ontario peaks twice per day in the winter. This is early morning and late afternoon.

During the summer, electricity use in Ontario peaks in the afternoon. By this time of day, more people start running their air conditioners on high.

By being mindful of these times, you can be selective and reduce your energy costs by avoiding using electric devices during these times.

Careful monitoring of your power use can result in savings on your monthly electric bill. 

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