Air Conditioning & Open Doors: Who’s Wasting The Most Energy?
Posted May 25, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s based on a psychological belief that an open door is more tempting to consumers than a closed one. But it wastes an enormous amount of energy, and puts a strain on a power system gearing up for what’s promising to be a humid and uncomfortable season. A CityNews investigation found that it was happening all over the city on Friday – and we’re not even in the true heart – or true heat – of summer. Do those who work in the shops think they’re wasting energy? “I guess so, kind of, but I can’t do anything,” confesses clerk Florence Mak.
But hydro experts want her boss and all homeowners to know that someone should.
“What you’re doing is wasting electricity and that’s going to add to your bill and you don’t need to do that,” explains Terry Young of the Independent Electricity System Operator, which monitors prices in the province. Air conditioners draw up to 30 percent of the juice we use during the hot months. And it can keep the supply available razor thin when it gets really warm, bringing with it the possibility of brownouts and huge hydro bills. ” Last summer we set a record for electricity use,” Young recalls. “A record of 27,000 megawatts and hopefully we won’t break that record this summer.”
So what can you do to chill out without spending too much cold cash? Here are a few places where you can find ways to save on energy while keeping cool this summer:
Buying an energy efficient room conditioner
Buying an energy efficient central air conditioner
Maintaining a central air conditioner
Maintaining a window air conditioner
Toronto Hydro air conditioner rebate offer
What you need to know about air conditioning
Photo credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images
