HatSmart helps consumers prepare for resource-constrained world


BY JUSTIN SEWARD insight magazine


Whether a consumer is smack- dabbed in the middle of winter or in the peak of the hot summer sun, Medicine Hat-based Hat Smart educates residences in the city and surrounding area about keeping your utilities at a respectable rate. The program aims to promote


energy conservation and renew- able energy initiatives in the com- munity. Local residential utility cus-


tomers can benefit from the inno- vative program to stabilize the economy and prepare the commu- nity for a resource-constrained world.


Hat Smart’s environmental out-


reach co-ordinator, Jass Baidwan, spoke to InSight about tips to not see your utility bill skyrocket in both seasons.


She said in the winter that peo- ple should be mindful and dress appropriately.


Tips: ■


Warm yourself before your


home,and don’t blast the heat in Set the heat to your comfort


your home. ■


level and layer up ■


age) ■


Keep the thermostat low when sleeping and going to work (between 16 to 18 degrees is aver-


Invest in a programmable thermostat because of people for- getting to re-set the temperature before going to work. For those people that are leav-


ing for holidays, remember to unplug electronics because there is that phantom load, which means consumers are still using energy even if electronics are not


turned on. ■


Take shorter showers because hot water takes energy to heat


Summer: ■


Dress accordingly ■ Air conditioning turned down


low when not home ■


Turn up the air conditioning


two degrees and turn on the ceil- ing fan which helps distribute the


cold air ■


Keep the curtains closed ■ Keep windows closed


“Every degree makes a differ-


ence,”she said.“That’s a money translation for your air condition- ing and heating system. Every home is different in a city or a little town. Big factors that shape how


you’re paying for bills include age of your home, the size.The bigger you have,the more heat you’ll be using.” The habits of the people inside the home make a difference in the price, she added. If some one wants to see the


energy usage in their home, they can sign up for E-Utility with the City of Medicine Hat.


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insight magazine march 2019 - 5


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