Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/136981
spotlight on energy conservation J illian Harris may have got her big break in show business with a stint on The Bachelor (she made it to the final three) and then as The Bachelorette, but since her television debut in 2009, Harris has turned her focus (and that of her fans) to her design talents on shows like Canada's Handyman Challenge and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Her latest endeavour, Love It or List It Vancouver, which premiered in January, pits designer Harris against her realtor co-host Todd Talbot as each tries to win over a pair of homeowners – Harris by renovating their current home, and Talbot by finding them a new one. Originally from Peace River, Alberta, Harris says although she'll always be an Alberta girl at heart, B.C. is home now – and thanks to Love It or List It Vancouver's success (season two premieres in September), so is Vancouver. Over the past two years, Harris has also been working very closely with BC Hydro as part of the Power Smart campaign to raise awareness about energy efficiency and to minimize electricity waste – a message she takes to her heart and home. Bright ideas About a year ago, Harris purchased a condo in Vancouver, then bought a second home in Kelowna in December. "I needed a place in Vancouver because that's where my work is," she explains, "but I'm very family-oriented and Kelowna is home because that's where my family is." And while the petite brunette says they both reflect her personality in different ways, her two homes couldn't be more different. Her Vancouver condo boasts a number of environmentally sustainable features. Thanks to energy-efficient bulbs and appliances, and plenty of natural light, Harris says her Vancouver home uses "very, very little energy." And in terms of design, it's surprisingly minimalist for such a personality-driven Light up a room like Jillian with these tips for energy-saving style Play with Layers Every room should be layered with general, decorative and task lighting, says Harris, but that doesn't mean they should all be lit at once. "I think every room needs a decorative fixture – the key is knowing when to turn it on!" Go au naturEL "Natural light is always best, so take advantage of that wherever possible," advises Harris. Make the most of south-facing windows, position your favourite reading chair next to a window, and consider switching to energy-efficient lighting such as CFLs, which can then be recycled at locations across B.C. (bchydro.com/powersmart). Adjust the Temperature Every bulb has a different colour temperature – even today's LEDs and CFLs. "That's where I think a lot of people used to be scared of energy-efficient bulbs – cool white used to be our only option, but that's really not the case anymore," says Harris. Choose a bulb temperature that will complement your wall colour: a cool paint colour paired with a cool-coloured bulb can make the room look too blue or cold, while a warm bulb in a room painted orange, yellow or red can make the walls look dirty. "I always err on the side of caution and go for a more natural light, or a slightly warm bulb." 10 team power smart summer 2013 p08-11 JillianFeat Smr2013_rev.indd 10 13-06-13 5:27 PM