What We Do

At EarthWise Solutions, we create and implement Customized Home Efficiency Plans for our clients. The plans are practical, have measurable results, and can be implemented in a timeframe that is manageable for the client.

We start by determining what issues are important to you: are you most concerned about energy costs, the health effects of toxins in your home, how much waste your family produces, or something else?

Next, we examine your current practices: what do you do already that is environmentally friendly? Where is there opportunity for change?

In consultation with the client, we develop a plan that addresses your specific concerns. It will include steps that can be taken immediately with little investment of time and money, and goals for the next several years.

A plan might include recommendations around:

• Energy efficiency
• Landscaping
• Indoor and outdoor water use
• Indoor lighting
• Garbage and recycling
• Renovations
• Renewable energy
• Consumer choice
• Environmentally friendly products
• Organic food
• Grants, subsidies, or other programs available through government, utility companies, or not-for-profit organisations
• Vehicle purchase

Working within the framework of what is manageable for the client, we implement the approved recommendations. This might include:

• Installing a programmable thermostat
• Installing rain barrels and composters
• Setting up a household recycling system and/or enrolling in a curbside recycling program
• Subcontracting a landscaper to make your yard more eco-friendly
• Finding a contractor to replace old windows
• Sourcing solar panels and installation experts
• Researching which vehicles are most energy efficient but still suit your family’s needs

Environmentally efficient living is within your reach. Let Earthwise Solutions show you how to use less energy, produce less waste and save money at the same time.

Mission Statement

EarthWise Solutions helps home owners to live more environmentally efficient lifestyles by reducing their ecological footprint.

What is a Customized Home Efficiency Plan?

If your family wants to reduce its ecological footprint, a Customized Home Efficiency Plan will show you how. You will save money by operating a more environmentally efficient home and time by not having to do all the legwork yourself!

First, we determine what issues are important to you: are you most concerned about energy costs, the health effects of toxins in your home, how much waste your family produces, or something else?

Next, we examine your current practices: what do you do already that is environmentally friendly? Where is there opportunity for change?

Finally, we develop a detailed plan to address your specific concerns. It will include steps that can be taken immediately with little investment of time and money, and goals for the next several years.

The plans are practical, have measurable results, and can be implemented in a timeframe that is manageable for you.

Greenhouse Gas Facts

The vast majority of the energy we consume to heat and light our homes and power our vehicles comes from fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas and oil. When these fuels are burned, CO2 is emitted as a waste product.

• Coal is the most “carbon intensive” of the fossil fuels, since it generates the highest amount of CO2 per unit of energy produced.
• Over 60% of electricity in Alberta is produced from coal powered generators.
• For every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity used in Alberta, 0.93 kg of CO2 is emitted.
• For every litre of gasoline used, 2.4 kg of CO2 is emitted.
• For every gigajoule (GJ) of natural gas used, about 50 kg of CO2 is emitted.

Source: The City of Calgary, What You Can Do About Climate Change

Your Appliances Are Only as Efficient as Their Owner

Unfortunately, not everyone is in a position to buy all new energy efficient appliances for their home (but if you are, make sure to check the EnerGuide label to see how much energy is consumed in a year). What can you do if you want to save energy (and money!) but are stuck with the appliances you have? These tips will ensure your appliances operate as efficiently as possible:

Clothes Washer

• A large portion of the energy consumed by a washer goes to heating water, so use cold water for the rinse cycle and reduce hot water use.

Dishwasher

• Only run your dishwasher when you have a full load. It will uses the same amount of water whether it is half full or completely full.
• Use the air dry setting. It will reduce electricity consumption by using "leftover" heat from the cleaning process instead of generating more heat with more electricity.

Refrigerator

• Locate your refrigerator away from heat sources such as a heat vent, oven or dishwasher. Putting it close to a heat source only makes it use more energy to keep food cold.
• Don’t set your refrigerator too cold. A temperature just 4°C colder than necessary will increase energy consumption by almost 10 percent. It is recommended that the freezer compartment be set at –18°C and the refrigerator compartment about 3°C.

Dryer

• Clean the filter before every load to ensure maximum operating efficiency.
• Dry 2 or 3 loads in a row in order to take advantage of the dryer’s retained heat.

Range

• Use the self-cleaning function of your oven immediately after baking when it is still hot, because less energy will be required to reach the cleaning temperature.
• Use your microwave oven rather than your range when possible. Microwaves use up to 50 percent less energy because they do not require pre-heating and all of the energy produced goes into heating food, not the oven or utensils.

These “Big 5” appliances can consume over 40 percent of the electricity used in your home. Their operation can result in the emission of over 2,500 kg of greenhouse gases every year (excluding the energy required to heat water for the dishwasher and clothes washer). However, adopting these operation and maintenance practices can minimize your appliances’ energy consumption.

More informaton is available from The City of Calgary

Where Does Your Hot Water Go?

The heating of water for washing laundry, dishes and ourselves is the second largest energy user in our homes. For most households, the energy used to heat water can be reduced by 25 to 50 percent through practicing conservation methods:

• Faucets & Shower – consume about 48 percent of household hot water. Consider installing a low-flow shower head and faucet aerators to reduce water flow by 40 percent or more.
• Clothes Washer & Dishwasher – consume about 40 percent of household hot water. Try a front-loading washing machine and use 40 percent less water. An energy efficient dishwasher with a booster heater will allow you to lower the temperature on your hot water tank and still get those dishes clean.
• Baths – consume about 12% of household hot water. A 5 minute shower will use about half as much hot water as filling the tub.

From a financial perspective, reducing your hot water consumption will:

• Reduce your natural gas utility bill
• Reduce the water use charge on your utility bill
• Reduce the sanitary sewer charge on your utility bill

Remember, water is not an inexhaustible resource. Use water wisely!

More information is available from The City of Calgary

What Difference Can One Lightbulb Make?

Maybe you're worried about climate change and global warming but don't think there is anything you can do about it. Or perhaps you are just interested in saving some money on your out of control electricity bill. Either way, there is one small personal change that everyone can make that can impact their personal level of greenhouse gas emissions and the level of money in their wallets.

How? Replace the traditional incandescent light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent lights.

This counterstrike against climate change will cost you nothing in the long run. About 14 percent of the electricity you use in your home is consumed by lights. On average, compact fluorescent lights use 75 percent less power than incandescent bulbs. They last 10 times longer, and each bulb you replace will save you around $30 on your electricity bill over the life of the light.

An average Canadian home has about 30 light sockets: that's $900 in savings.

Greenhouse gas emissions are considered to be the main "human activity" behind global warming. Replacing your incandescent bulbs is a win-win situation in terms of both cash and climate.

More information on compact fluorescents is available from The City of Calgary

Save Money on the Road (and help the environment too!)

We Canadians love to drive. Unfortunately, personal vehicles cause about 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. Want to minimize your impact? Here are 6 small changes that will make a big difference both on your wallet and on the environment.

1. Check your tire pressure monthly. Under-inflated tires use more fuel. They also make your vehicle less safe.
2. Change your oil regularly. Changing oil keeps your vehicle in top condition, and promotes better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Use the lowest multigrade of oil recommended in your owner's manual, particularly in the winter.
3. Look at the label. “Energy Conserving" engine oils use up to 2.7% less fuel than other oils. Also, recycled oil certified with the “EcoLogo” mark will perform as well as newly refined oil.
4. Don’t idle. If you’re stopped longer than 10 seconds (except in traffic), turn off your engine. Idling uses more fuel than turning the engine off and restarting it. Even in winter, today’s computer-controlled, fuel-injected engines require no more than 30 seconds of warm up before driving.
5. Use a block heater with an automatic timer. In temperatures below 0°C, block heaters can improve fuel economy by 10% or more. Plug it in and set the timer for no more than 2 hours before you plan to depart.
6. Car-pool to school or start a Walking School Bus. A Walking School Bus is two or more families walking to school together. Check out the Green Communities website (www.saferoutestoschool.ca) for tips on how to set this up.

For more information, including tips on buying a more fuel efficient vehicle, consult the Government of Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca.

Gift Giving Made Easy!

A Customized Home Efficiency Plan makes a great gift for:

• New parents
• Housewarming
• Newlyweds
• Your favourite "eco-sinner"
• The person who has everything
• Yourself!

Contact Us

Telephone: (403) 475-7505 Email: earthwisesolutions[at]shaw[dot]ca