We know our customers are spending more time at home right now because of COVID-19, and more time at home often means using more power. Read on to learn how you can offset your increased power use during this challenging time.

1. Saving power seems inconvenient – is it difficult to do?

   No, it doesn’t have to be. Reducing your power use at home can be as simple as:

   • Opening your blinds during the day to take advantage of natural light.
   • Only running the dishwasher once it’s completely full of dishes.
   • Using smaller appliances like a toaster instead of the oven whenever possible.

2. Having the kids home often means more meals, lights and screen time. Any tips to help with that?

   This is a great time to teach your children good energy-saving habits. You can try:

   • Reminding them to turn off ceiling fans, lights and appliances when they leave a room.
   • Keeping their snack foods near the front of the fridge. That way they won't need to keep the fridge door open for too long.
   • Using the power and sleep settings on computers, tablets and video game consoles.

3. How can I reduce my energy consumption using my large appliances?

   Appliances account for almost 35% of the power you use in your home, so there are lots of ways to save, including:

   • Always wash full loads of laundry. This will cut back on the number of times you run your washer and dryer.
   • Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when they’re full, but make sure not to overcrowd them. They need enough space between foods and containers for air to circulate freely.
   • Avoid the temptation to open the oven while baking. An oven can lose up to 20% of its heat each time the door is opened.

4. Any tips to help with heating and cooling my home?

   When thinking about how you heat and cool your home remember:

   • For every degree (°C) that you lower your thermostat overnight, you can save up to 2% of your heating costs.
   • Drafts are big power wasters. Weather strip and caulk around windows and doors to prevent air leaks and you can save about 10% of your yearly heating costs.
   • Fans are a cheaper, more energy-efficient alternative to air conditioning to keep cool.
   • Change or clean your furnace filter every 2 months during heating and air conditioning seasons. A dirty or clogged filter reduces the airflow and forces it to run longer to heat or cool your home.

5. Is there a way to get customized energy advice for my home?

   Yes, check out our Online Energy Assessment tool for homes. This is a free, online service that provides tips for no-cost and low-cost actions that can save you money. You'll also receive customized information on efficiency upgrades and estimated savings on your bill.

Learn more:

• How We’re Handling Planned Outages During COVID-19
  
• COVID-19 Updates
  
• To Our Valued Customers - SaskPower's Response to COVID-19
  
• How We're Continuing to Serve Customers During COVID-19