Ontario Energy Crisis

[Gonzo]

They want us in Ontario to reduce energy use. I have a good idea. Why not when stores are closed they turn off the lights? Why are they always on when nobody is around? Store signs are lit all night. During the last power outage there was little theft if any at all. And for a short while we actually did cut down. But old habits die hard and Canadians are still the most wasteful people around.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Turning out the lights is pretty basic. It isn't just stores, but all kinds of businesses, including office buildings, and private homes.

There are some other things too. You can replace your street lights with efficient, directional ones. That not only saves energy, but reduces light pollution. You can cut back on air conditioning usage by upgrading your hoses and buildings. You can install compact flourescent lightbulbs.

A public information campaign encouraging conservation could save a lot of energy...it worked in the 1970s. The big thing is to get business and municipal governments onside though.

 

[Gonzo]

I was working temporary in the government, and I noticed that in all the new buildings you can’t open up a window. Whenever it's warm, they turn up the air-conditioning, even when all you'd have to do is open up a window to get a nice breeze. How can the government preach conservation when they're just as guilty? On parliament hill they drive from center block to east block instead of walking. It's ridiculous.
I dont know about Winnipeg, but in Ottawa the humidity is so bad that you cant turn down the air-conditioning! Of course, that just adds to the problem. But what can you do? We live in a valley where everything in the air just sits. And Toronto? It's awful there.

 

[Reverend Blair]

It's funny Gonz...I lived in Ottawa for three years as a kid. We didn't have air conditioning...not in our house, and not in either of the two schools I went to there. We survived quite happily. You close the windows and shades during the day, then open them at night. You plant deciduous trees on the south side of your house.

We used to go visit friends in Toronto, driving in our non-air conditioned car. They didn't have air conditioning either. They did the same as us. We even took the subway in Toronto...it was kind of a treat for us, but it was also more convenient than driving.

It wasn't always perfectly comfortable, but we never died or anything.

That was in the 1970's. Our house was likely 15 or 20 years old at the time...1950's or 1960's technology. There is no excuse for needing more power to keep a place livable today.

 

[Gonzo]

Older houses were made better and kept the cool air in. Where I live, we are on the fifth floor with no trees blocking the sun that beats down on our side of the building all day. I dont have a basement to escape to on the hot days.
When I was a kid we didn't have air-conditioning either. Air-conditioners are bad. I wouldn't be able to sleep a wink today without it. I know I never allow myself to get used to warmer conditions. But with smog alerts (in winter now too) and global warming, we're blasting central air and contributing to the problem.

 

[Jay]

A lot of old house in Ontario...SW Ontario anyways...wern't built with insulation, because the price of oil was so cheep....

 

[Reverend Blair]

Older houses were made better and kept the cool air in. Where I live, we are on the fifth floor with no trees blocking the sun that beats down on our side of the building all day. I dont have a basement to escape to on the hot days.
When I was a kid we didn't have air-conditioning either. Air-conditioners are bad. I wouldn't be able to sleep a wink today without it. I know I never allow myself to get used to warmer conditions. But with smog alerts (in winter now too) and global warming, we're blasting central air and contributing to the problem.

Here are some tips, Gonzo. Blinds or thick curtains on the windows. In the summer, keep them (and the windows) closed during the day. At night, open them up. In the winter, do it the other way around. Take cool showers. Cook as little as possible and keep your pots and pans covered when cooking. Watch TV in the dark. Read with only one light. Turn things off when you aren't using them. Get an energy-fan or two to keep the air moving. Get an energy-efficient dehumidfier.

Your building might be so poorly designed that you still need air conditioning. Not having seen it I have no way of knowing. These things will all cut down on how much you need to run the air conditioning though.

 

[Gonzo]

Those are good ideas. Other ways to cut down on smog are for people to bike to work everyday or take public transit. I'm sure it would cut down on the air pollution trapping the heat. Ontario cities should improve public transit. Ottawa, however, is cutting back.

 

[Said1]

Those are good ideas. Other ways to cut down on smog are for people to bike to work everyday or take public transit. I'm sure it would cut down on the air pollution trapping the heat. Ontario cities should improve public transit. Ottawa, however, is cutting back.

No kidding. Do you think anyone sell single bus tickets! At $2.75, I drive if I could too!

 

[Reverend Blair]

Other ways to cut down on smog are for people to bike to work everyday or take public transit. I'm sure it would cut down on the air pollution trapping the heat. Ontario cities should improve public transit. Ottawa, however, is cutting back.

I recall Ottawa as having excellent public transit. That was a long time ago, and I'm comparing it to Regina and Winnipeg, but if they would have kept that up it would have been worthwhile.