According to FortisBC, one of the sure ways to conserve energy is to turn off heat and lights in a room that isn't in use anymore. Here are a few additional tips:

• Use timers and motion sensors for outdoor lighting. Use LED (light emitting diode) lights which use less energy then incandescent lights.
• Keep the thermostats at 20 C in the daytime and 17 C in the night. Install a programmable thermostat that will make it easier to switch between the temperatures
• Only heat the rooms you are using, close doors and lower temperatures of rooms that you are not using.
• Close the fireplace chimney damper between fires to keep the heat in and cold air out.
• Use weather striping around door jambs and windows. Seal windows that don't open with caulking and fill gaps around electrical outlets and openings around water pipes and vents.
• Close your blinds and curtains in the evening to keep the warm air inside.
• Use appliances during off-peak hours if you can. Program the dishwasher to run while you sleep and do laundry after 9 PM.
• Be prepared for power outages in the winter months by keeping flashlights, batteries, battery-operated radio, water, non-perishable food and a first aid kit in a location which can be found easily in the dark. Post emergency and utility phone numbers in a convenient location.
• During an outage, turn off the circuit breakers, lights and larger appliances as well as electric heat (if you have it). By doing this, you prevent an overload outage when power is restored. Kepp one light on so you know when power is restored.

Canadian Tire is promoting a greener tomorrow by showcasing products that can make a difference in the environment today.

You can save upto 40% on select environmentally friendly products for energy conservation, healthy home and garden, waste reduction and water conservation.

• blue planet household cleaners
• energy star programmable thermostats
• water-efficient showheads and toilets
• energy star light fixtuers, ceiling fans, motion sensors
• energy saver fan heaters, air cleaners
• renewable energy products to produce, convert and store energy

To learn more about Canadian Tire's green commitment, visit their green options page.

Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd has been appointed to the Thompson-Okanagan committee of the Premier's Regional Councils on Climate Action. She has committed herself for a year regardless of November's election results.

The goal of the committee is to encourage grassroot solutions to promoting conservation in their community; either in their homes, workplace or in their neighbourhoods. Each community brings it's own perspective to overcome the challenges of climate change.

There are seven such committees throughout British Columbia.