Energy Horoscope

Here are some energy efficient tips to help you get through the dog-days of summer.

Leo  July 23 – August 22

Spending time in the garden this summer? It’s time to make your landscaping work for you in ways that go beyond aesthetics. Take energy efficient landscaping for example. The key to this is creating shade strategically, and a good place to look for ideas on this is to our neighbours to the south. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if you plant trees or bushes in a place near your air conditioning unit, your shaded unit will use less energy. They also recommend avoiding landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement or asphalt on the south or west sides, saying it increases the temperature around the house and radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.

Virgo  August 23 – September 22

Sniffling through summer allergies? Simple energy renovations can actually double as a weapon against allergens in your home. For example air sealing is a type of energy-saving renovation that seals all the cracks and gaps in your home. These are also tiny little doorways for pollen, smog particles and dust. Air leakage most commonly occurs around window and door frames, in attics and basements and any place where building components meet. If you have trouble identifying all these trouble spots, a professional energy advisor can come and conduct a blower door test on your home, which basically helps identify where the air is getting in. You can seal problem areas using weather stripping, foam insulation or caulk.

Libra  September 23 – October 22

Do you have a pool to help keep you cool? To prevent heat loss that occurs from evaporation, make sure you remember to use pool covers. Also you can save a tonne of dough in electricity costs by purchasing high-efficiency pool heaters, electric heat pumps and properly sized pumps and motors. If you’re really serious about greening your pool, and most certainly not with algae, you could even go solar by getting a solar powered heating system, which is most efficient in mild weather.    

Scorpio  October 23 – November 21

Are you constantly fiddling with the air conditioning levels to keep cool? Next time a heat wave comes, just surf through it by leaving your air conditioning at a normal 24 or 25°C. Like Candu Canada says, you don’t need to live in a meat locker to beat the heat. Also, you don’t need to have the air conditioning on 24/7 either. On cooler days and nights, air out the house by opening the windows. Finally, be cognizant of the things that cause heat levels to fluctuate drastically. Candu observes that ovens, dishwashers, and dryers don’t just use their own power but they also add to your AC’s draw. Even unnecessary lights can increase the heat.

Sagittarius  November 22 – December 21

Do you find yourself baking in the summer heat? What about roasting or boiling? There are better ways to cook that are more energy efficient and don’t contribute to increased heat in your home. Did you know a microwave uses substantially less electricity than a stove? Or better yet, accustom yourself to cooler summer eats. They save energy and they are especially refreshing on hot days. Consider soups that you serve chilled like Gazpacho. Make salads or sandwiches with crisp healthy vegetables. In other words, it’s the summer, so lighten up and cool down!

Capricorn  December 22 – January 19

Do you find the best, cheapest way to keep cool is frequent showering? Chances are showering is not the cheapest cooling approach when all is said and done. That is, unless you make efforts to conserve water and energy around your house, viewing water and energy conservation holistically.  An energy-efficient shower head or flow controller conserves energy without affecting water pressure. A low-flow shower head saves as much as 60 per cent of the water used by a conventional fixture. Having cooler showers helps conserve energy as it takes a lot of energy to heat the water. As well, installing a water-saver flush kit in your toilet can save you thousands of litres of water per year.

Aquarius  January 20 – February 18

Ever hear the saying, the windows are the eyes to the home? Well, if this is the case, then your windows need some shades. In order to prevent excessive heat from coming in to your home during the dog-days of summer, install patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens, which not only help conserve energy but also reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation and reduce glare. Trees and shrubs can also help in this cause, while also providing more privacy and aesthetic appeal from the outside.

Pisces  February 19 – March 20

Thinking of hitting the road, the hills, or the woods, for some camping fun? Consider that any effort to green your camping habits, also contributes to energy conservation. The less packaging that ends up in landfills the less energy is expelled in managing the waste. Therefore, next time you go camping, don’t use styrofoam and plastic dishes, cutlery and cups. Bring your reusable dishes from home. The same applies to food packaging. Before you leave for your camping trip, you could remove all food packaging there and repack it in reusable containers. Finally remember to sort any recyclable waste you do accumulate during your trip.

Aries  March 21 – April 19

Is your idea of staying cool in summer standing in front of an open fridge door? Don’t. Instead of being an energy hog, cool yourself off through energy efficient means of air conditioning. Don’t worry; there are tools to help. Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations require an EnerGuide label on all room air conditioners sold in Canada. Just look at the label to ascertain whether the product you’re purchasing is energy efficient. As if that isn’t easy enough, another quick way to see if a product is delivering the most energy efficiency is by looking out for the trademark Energy Star label.

Taurus  April 20 – May 20

Is your room a popular hangout for the day’s heat? There are ways to show the heat who’s boss without making a boss out of your energy bill. Make sure you keep your drapes closed and shades drawn, as this will help keep your house cooler. Also remember to turn out the lights at your home as even one light bulb can bring extra unwanted heat into your home. If you still find it too hot, remember that operating an air conditioner can cost up to 25 timesas much as a fan which, although doesn’t change the air temperature, can make you feel cooler due to air movement.

Gemini  May 21 – June 20

Eating lots of ice cream and popsicles to stay cool? How are you keeping your ice cream frozen these days?Greenpeace recommends two door refrigerator/freezer combination with separate compartments than a separate refrigerator and freezer. As well, the organization says chest type models are more energy efficient than uprights when it comes to freezers, adding the most efficient models on the market will only use 180 kWh for a 300 litre chest, and 240 kWh/y for a large 450 litre freezer chest.  The best upright models range from 170 kWh for a 190 litre model to 220 kWh for a 310 litre model.

Cancer  June 21 – July 22

Planning on taking a vacation?  Consider putting your indoor and outdoor lights on timers so they aren’t on 24/7. Also, put your water heater on vacation setting if it has one and unplug all your battery chargers. This includes laptops, cell phones and, even though you should have it with you when you travel, digital cameras. While you are out and about, go the extra mile by staying at green-rated hotels. If you aren’t leaving on vacation, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone. More and more people are recognizing the merits of “stay-cationing” – it allows you to explore the pleasures of your own backyard while saving money and reducing your carbon footprint.