Calgary, AB,
22
April
2016
|
12:18
America/Denver

Save energy at the grill this Earth Day

Calgary – In celebration of Earth Day (April 22), The City of Calgary is encouraging Calgarians to continue taking simple steps to reduce energy use in your own backyard, also saving you money on your energy bill.

Reducing your impact on the environment this spring can be as simple as choosing to cook on the barbecue instead of in the oven, avoiding heating up your home in already warm temperatures. Consider gathering your family and friends for a barbecue and be a leader this Earth Day with these “green grilling” tips: 

  • Clean your grill: a clean grill uses less energy than a dirty one. Heating the extra food particles on a dirty grill uses more energy than what is required to cook your meal.
  • Check and clean your connections: loose, broken or dirty connections can waste fuel and pose a potential safety risk.
  • Maximize your grilling space: get as much food on the grill at one time to minimize the time your barbecue is in use.
  • Cook with the hood down: the more often you open your hood, the more heat can escape, wasting fuel.
  • Maintain a steady grill temperature: fluctuations in grilling temperatures use more energy.
  • Use energy-efficient outdoor lighting: LED bulbs are a brighter and targeted light source, offering a great alternative to traditional lighting while also lightening the load on your energy bill.

Within its own operations, The City of Calgary continues to work hard to be a leader in environmental stewardship. The City recently installed 600 solar panels on the roof of Calgary’s Southland Leisure Centre, located in the city’s southwest. The installation uses the sun’s energy to produce enough electricity to offset the usage of up to 24 average Calgary homes each year.

For more energy savings tips, visit Calgary.ca/saveenergy

-30-