Manitoba Hydro: Your Essential Guide to Energy Savings and Home Safety

Introduction

Manitoba Hydro is a crown corporation that provides electricity and natural gas to over 1 million customers in Manitoba. They are committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy to their customers. This guide will provide you with information on how to save energy, stay safe around electricity and natural gas, and make the most of your Manitoba Hydro services.

Energy Efficiency Tips

• Turn off lights when you leave a room. This may seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference over time.
• Unplug electronics when you're not using them. This will help to reduce your standby power consumption.
• Use energy-efficient appliances. Look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR® label.
• Insulate your home. This will help to keep heat in during the winter and cool air in during the summer.
• Use a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to set your home's temperature to be lower when you're away or sleeping.

By following these tips, you can save money on your energy bills and help to protect the environment.

Electrical Safety

Electricity is a powerful force that can be dangerous if not handled properly. Here are some electrical safety tips to keep you and your family safe:

• Never touch a downed power line. If you see a downed power line, stay away from it and call Manitoba Hydro at 1-888-624-9376.
• Don't overload outlets. Plugging too many appliances into one outlet can cause a fire.
• Use surge protectors. Surge protectors can help to protect your electronics from power surges.
• Keep electrical cords out of reach of children. Children can easily trip over cords or chew on them, which can be dangerous.

By following these electrical safety tips, you can help to prevent accidents and keep your family safe.

Natural Gas Safety

Natural gas is a flammable gas that can be dangerous if not handled properly. Here are some natural gas safety tips to keep you and your family safe:

• Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. This can be very dangerous and can lead to a fire or explosion.
• If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and call Manitoba Hydro at 1-888-624-9376. Do not use any electrical appliances or light switches, as this could create a spark and ignite the gas.
• Have your gas appliances inspected regularly by a qualified technician. This will help to ensure that your appliances are operating safely.

By following these natural gas safety tips, you can help to prevent accidents and keep your family safe.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when it comes to energy efficiency, electrical safety, and natural gas safety:

• Leaving lights on when you leave a room. This is a waste of energy and can lead to higher energy bills.
• Overloading outlets. This can be a fire hazard.
• Using surge protectors for everything. Surge protectors are designed to protect your electronics from power surges, but they are not a substitute for proper wiring.
• Keeping electrical cords out of reach of children. This can help to prevent accidents.
• Using a gas stove or oven to heat your home. This is a fire hazard.
• Not having your gas appliances inspected regularly. This can help to ensure that your appliances are operating safely.

How to Get Started

If you're interested in learning more about energy efficiency, electrical safety, or natural gas safety, there are a number of resources available to you. You can visit the Manitoba Hydro website, call Manitoba Hydro at 1-888-624-9376, or attend a Manitoba Hydro workshop.

Here are some step-by-step approaches to help you get started:

1. Assess your energy use: Conduct an energy audit to understand your energy consumption patterns and identify areas where you can save energy.
2. Implement energy-saving measures: Implement energy-efficient practices such as turning off lights, unplugging electronics, and insulating your home to reduce your energy bills.
3. Enhance electrical safety: Conduct regular electrical inspections, install surge protectors, and keep electrical cords out of reach of children to prevent electrical hazards.
4. Ensure natural gas safety: Have your gas appliances inspected regularly, learn the signs of a gas leak, and know how to respond appropriately to gas-related emergencies.

Call to Action

Contact Manitoba Hydro today to learn more about energy efficiency, electrical safety, and natural gas safety. Visit the Manitoba Hydro website or call 1-888-624-9376.

Additional Resources

• Manitoba Hydro website: https://www.hydro.mb.ca/
• Energy Star website: https://www.energystar.gov/
• Canadian Electrical Code website: https://www.electricalcode.ca/
• Canadian Gas Association website: https://www.cga.ca/

Tables

Table 1: Average Household Energy Consumption in Manitoba

Table 2: Energy-Saving Tips

Table 3: Electrical Safety Tips