It’s the 45th anniversary of Earth Day and combating climate change starts with you.

 

Start your Earth Day morning off right by enjoying FREE Timmins Transit Service.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • One city bus can take 40 to 50 vehicles off the road, save 70,000 litres of fuel and keep 168 tonnes of pollutants out of the atmosphere each year.
  • Public transit consumes 3 times less energy per passenger-kilometer than the automobile, making it three times more efficient
  • Transit has the lowest fatality rate of any transportation mode.
  • A shift from single-occupancy vehicle use to Public Transit will reduce transportation related green house gas emissions.
  • The average single vehicle commuter can save over $2,000 in annual fuel costs by riding public transit

EVERYDAY SHOULD BE EARTH DAY….SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SAVE OUR PLANET?

1. DITCH YOUR CAR
-Timmins Transit is offering free bus rides on Earth Day
-Carpool with colleagues
-Walk into work
-Ride your bike

2. BUY SMART
-Need a new appliance? (Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher, etc) Check energy rating before buying to ensure you are making energy-efficient decisions
-Consider a ceiling fan over an air conditioner
-Efficient household LED light bulbs

3. SEAL
-Resealing air leaks in home with weather strips (windows, doors)
-Plug the leaks yourself and watch the cost to heat and cool your house drop significantly

4. WATER
-Start laundry after 7pm
-Wash clothes in cold water
-Hang clothing to dry outside
-Shorter showers
-Turn tap off while brushing teeth

5. KITCHEN 
-When boiling water or cooking, use lids to reduce energy consumption by 14%
-Make sure you’re using the right size pot on the right size burner. If you don’t utilize the burner space given, you can waste more than 40% of the burner’s heat
-Avoid preheating oven unless you’re baking or the recipe calls for it
-Use the microwave to reheat leftovers instead of the oven because microwaves use up to 75% less electricity than a conventional stove

6. UNPLUG
-Stop paying for energy you aren’t using
-Unplug electronics when you are done using them
-Invest in a power bar (holding several outlets) so you can simply turn the power bar off and essentially “unplug” all appliances at once
-You could save roughly $100 a year by simply turning off electronics when you’re not home
-Turn off your computer and monitor
-Turn off light when you leave a room

OTHER HYDRO ONE TIPS:

1. In real-time, monitor your home’s consumption and time-of-use at least once a week
www.HydroOne.com/MyAccount
-This allows you to look for times when nobody is home, yet your energy consumption is high. You can pin-point which devices are drawing “phantom power”

2. Participate in a Save on Energy Program
-Ontario’s electrical utilities offer programs that potentially help customers lower their electricity and energy consumption (replace furnace and air conditioning, energy product coupons) Find out more at www.HydroOne.com/saveenergy

3. Take Energy Audit
-Use PowerSaverPlus, an online energy audit tool that helps you find more ways to conserve energy in your home.
-www.HydroOne.com/Audit

4. Make “Earth Day” attitude a family event, where conserving electricity and energy is fun!