Eco Tip #4: Fix your leaks             

Repairing a leaky faucet may be low on your to-do list, especially if it’s just a slow drip. But a faucet that leaks one drip per second wastes 10,000 litres per year, and a toilet that runs after flushing can waste up to 200,000 litres in a year, according to Environment Canada. To figure out if your toilet is leaking, put a few drops of food colouring in the tank. If the colour shows up in the bowl a few minutes later, you have a leak. Most leaks can be fixed easily and inexpensively. Ask your local hardware store for advice.

Eco Tip #5: Use rechargeable batteries

From flashlights to kids’ toys, homeowners go through a lot of batteries. Batteries contain toxic metals and corrosive acids, and even though all provinces have programs to collect and dispose of them, far too many still end up in the landfill. Rechargeable batteries now come in every conceivable size, including coin batteries, are long-lasting and can be used over and over again. One place to stick with traditional batteries, though, is smoke detectors — so says the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Rechargeable batteries won't trigger the low-power warning alarm, and may leave you unprotected without knowing it.

Eco Tip #6: Draft-proof your home

When cool air seeps out of your house through leaks, your air conditioner has to work harder, which wastes energy. In the winter, losing heat in the same way means that your furnace uses more natural gas, harming the environment by adding unnecessary carbon dioxide emissions into the air. In fact, air leakage accounts for 20 to 45 per cent of the average loss of warm and cool air, according to Hydro One in Ontario. Weather-stripping and caulking are simple, do-it-yourself fixes for drafty windows and doors. Weather-stripping works well around doors and operable parts of windows, whereas caulking is the best choice for non-opening windows, door trim and electrical sockets. Your local hardware store can help you choose the right materials for the job.