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30 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 2, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Summer energy management tips Save money and save energy with these tips The heat of the summer season has many of us running for cover into the cooler, air conditioned temperatures of the indoors. With the additional demand on utilities during the summer season, the energy management team at Canadian Tire has put together the following suggestions to help lessen the impact of your utility bills this summer: Lighting · One of the easiest changes you can make to your home is to lighting. By switching to energyefficient CFL bulbs, you can save up to 78 per cent on energy costs. CFL's have the added advantage of lasting up to 10X longer than traditional bulbs and, because you won't have to replace them as often, you'll create less landfill. Dimmer switches · Another great way to save energy is by installing dimmer switches in your home. Dimmers can reduce energy consumption by up to 20 per cent. Similarly, motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home can provide energy savings by switching lights off automatically when not detecting movement. Timers · Timers are also an effective way to reduce energy consumption as they can be programmed to use electricity only when it's needed. Energy Star · Look for Energy Star rated lights. These lights are the most energy efficient models available and can also be found in many décor options to suit your own personal taste. Ceiling fans · Install ceiling fans. During hot weather a ceiling fan will create a cool breeze and keep the air circulating in your home. BBQ! · An evening barbeque is a great alternative to using the oven or stove, which both generate heat on an already hot day. You can also use your microwave or toaster oven in place of the stove or oven. Laundry · Dry laundry on a clothesline in your backyard where permitted or in the basement to reduce energy consumption. Available exclusively at Canadian Tire is the innovative WallFix clothes dryer. Clothes dryers use about 900 kilowatt hours of electricity a year on average. By hanging just 25 per cent of those laundry loads out to dry, you could save about $30 a year on electricity bills. Tip: As an added bonus, hanging clothes to dry also prevents shrinkage and improves longevity - News Canada