Green Suite Living

Live green and save
We’ve tried to do our part by constructing a highly efficient green building using highly efficient green building techniques. You can do your part by following any or all of these effective ecosave strategies.

Ecosave Strategies

Save on water heating

Use the vacation setting or turn off the water heater when out of town.

Save on heating and cooling

Reduce the temperature of your apartment a few degrees at night and when you’re away.
In summer, keep blinds, shades and drapes closed during the hottest part of the day; on sunny winter days keep south-facing blinds open.
Use area rugs on cold floors – if your feet are warm, your body will feel warm too.
Don’t turn up the thermostat, wear a sweater!
In summer, cool your suite to the mid instead of the low 20s. Each degree below 26°C will noticeably increase your electricity use!
Turn off unnecessary lights (they produce a lot of heat, which works against the air conditioner).

Save on Refrigeration

Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for setting temperatures (don’t cool needlessly).
Don’t overfill the refrigerator, as this blocks air circulation. Conversely, a full freezer will perform better than an empty one.
Clean your refrigerator’s coil (back) and air intake grill (below the doors) every 3 months.
Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator.

Save on Cooking

Use pot lids while cooking and lower your heat settings.
Boil water using an electric kettle, not the stove (which is less efficient).
Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking, unless the label says otherwise.
If you put aluminum foil on the bottom of the oven to catch drippings, make sure the foil does not block any of the oven’s circulation holes and don’t put foil in the oven racks.
Turn off the oven just before finishing – it will remain hot long enough to complete the job.
Don’t use a bigger pot than you need, and match it to the right size element.
Whenever possible use a smaller appliance: e.g., instead of your range or cook top use the electric kettle, toaster oven or microwave.

Save on Lighting

Turn off lights when you leave a room or your apartment.
Instead of lighting the entire room, concentrate a bright light only where you need it.
Opening your blinds is a free way to brighten up a room.
For any light that must be on all night, use the lowest wattage bulbs that you’re comfortable with or consider a compact florescent or a nightlight.
In areas where brightness is required, decorate with lighter colours for greater light reflection.
Keep light fixtures clean – a cleaner bulb is a brighter bulb.

Other Savings

Consider energy-efficient computer systems and monitors when you replace a system.
Ensure that your computer’s energy-saving features are enabled.
Enable your computer’s screen-saver and shut-off features since screens are responsible for 60% of the total power used by a computer.
Use a power bar for home entertainment systems and other components and turn it off when not in use .
Unplug infrequently used TVs, as many continue to draw power even when off.

For further energy saving tips, please click on the links below.

Green Living

Green Suite Living