Paying for utilities in these times can significantly affect the family budget. And most of this cost is electricity bills. So how can you cut costs and save energy?
Making sure that everyone turns off the light after themselves, cooking over low heat is good, but it is not an exhaustive solution to the problem, since such measures do not bring tangible results. There are some simple tips, following which, you will significantly reduce the "load" on your wallet.
Firstly, you need to know which equipment is the most "gluttonous" - these are devices with heating coils and thermoelements: instantaneous water heaters, boilers and storage tanks with heated water, electric floor heating.
Also, these include: an electric kettle, an electric stove, an oven, an electric fireplace, all kinds of heaters, a hair dryer and an iron. Powerful motors that consume a lot of electricity effectively "assist" in rewinding kilowatts. Leadership can boast: an air conditioner compressor, a hammer drill and a drill, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, as well as a washing machine, which has both an electric motor and heating elements.
If you did not have time to install energy-saving lamps that consume 4. 5-5 times less electricity, then it's time to buy them. They are, of course, more valuable than ordinary ones, but their service life is several times longer than incandescent lamps and they consume less current.
Remember: five 20-watt energy-saving lamps consume as much electricity as one traditional "hundred", and each of them is capable of producing the same, and sometimes brighter, light output.
A modern person, who cannot imagine himself without the benefits of civilization, cannot do without a variety of all kinds of gadgets, electric light, warm batteries and household appliances that create for him the usual "comfort zone". The issues of saving electricity and, in general, reducing the cost of maintaining your home are quite relevant for him. Therefore, it is useful to know about devices that help save money.
TVs and multimedia devices. Modern "flat" devices - plasma and LCD - consume less energy, this also applies to computer monitors. A 17-inch kinescope monitor turned on unnecessarily is capable of "winding" more than 190 kW / h per year. Using the "saving mode", which is equipped with all modern models, for a computer monitor allows you to save 130-135 kW / h during the year.
Computers. The latest generations of computers are equipped with a power saving feature. It is worth activating it (if it is not activated automatically). Thus, the amount of energy that the computer consumes will decrease by about 50%.
Some computer hardware, such as a graphics or sound card, processor, consume more energy than other components. Therefore, when purchasing a new element for a computer, you need to pay attention to its energy efficiency.
A vacuum cleaner. In order for the vacuum cleaner to work in the most energy-efficient mode, it is necessary to clean or replace the dust container in a timely manner. Don't forget to also change or clean the exhaust air filters.
Mobile devices. It should be remembered: "recharging" left in the outlet consumes energy even after turning off the smartphone. When the charger is plugged in all the time, up to 95% of the energy is wasted.
Copiers, printers, MFPs. A permanently switched on "copier" during the year can consume 1000 kWh more electricity. Copiers consume a lot of electricity when they are first turned on and when they are not working in the on mode. To reduce power consumption, it is worth starting devices only for copying a large amount of materials and turning them off when finished.
Electric stove. Using utensils for cooking, the dimensions of which do not correspond to the burner of the electric stove, 5-10% of energy is lost. To save energy when using electric stoves, use dishes with a bottom of the correct shape, which is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the heating surface. Close the pot with a lid when preparing first courses. Intensive evaporation of water increases the cooking time by 20-30%, and, accordingly, the energy consumption increases by the same amount. Using a pressure cooker will reduce cooking time, and thick-walled cookware will allow food to stay warm longer.
Washing machine. The main reasons for the inefficient operation of washing machines are the excess of the maximum load, as well as the opposite effect - incomplete loading. In the second case, the overexpenditure of electricity can be 10-15%. With the wrong washing program, the overspending of electricity is up to 30%. Ultrasonic washing in some cases can greatly facilitate the work, and such devices consume about 15 watts (click on the picture to enlarge).
Air conditioner. To prevent wasted energy, the air conditioner must be operated with the doors and windows closed. Otherwise, the split system will cool the street or neighboring rooms, and where cool air is really needed, it will be hot. In addition, when planning the purchase of such a device, remember that today there are modern models of inverter-type air conditioners, the power consumption of which can be 50% lower than that of traditional systems with similar performance.
Fridge. The refrigerator should be in a cool place, preferably away from sunlight. Also, it should not be placed next to a stove or other appliance that emits heat. If the temperature in the place where the refrigerator is placed reaches 30°C, the electricity consumption can increase by 100%.
It is also important not to put warm foods in the refrigerator, you need to wait for their temperature to drop at least to room temperature. The freezer must be defrosted periodically. A thick layer of ice and frost impairs the cooling of frozen food and increases energy costs.
Power consumption in standby mode
It is no secret to anyone that a trickle of water from a broken or loosely closed tap pours into tens, and sometimes hundreds of liters of water per day, with the ensuing consequences in the form of payment receipts with a huge number of zeros. And speaking figuratively, in every dwelling there are many such loosely closed "faucets" through which electricity constantly "leaks", and with it finances. We are talking about household electrical appliances that consume energy even in "sleep" mode or in "standby" mode. And given that each farm has up to a dozen such devices, then in a year a thin trickle can turn into a rather significant "outflow" of funds from your own pocket.
The best illustration of the senselessness of wasting electricity is a "turned off" TV, which can be seen in almost every family. You might think that if the screen does not show anything, then energy is not wasted. However, this is not the case. Certain electronic circuits and the TV's power supply are under constant voltage to communicate with the remote control. In this case, electricity is consumed in the form of heat coming from the power supply. In winter, such "heating" may come in handy, but in summer time, excess heat can become your headache.
Below is a list of appliances, leaving them on, you can not hope for any energy savings. Equipment that "secretly" consumes electricity (meaning the amount per 1 hour)
- electric stove with electronic control - 3 watts;
- inkjet and laser printers - from 2 to 4 watts;
- cordless phones (consumer - base) - 1 watt;
- chargers of various types, primarily for mobile phones - 1 watt.
How to save electricity at home - this question can be found on the network a lot of answers, tips and tricks. It is also important to remember that reducing electricity consumption not only has a positive effect on your wallet, but also causes changes on a more global scale, in particular:
- Stimulating the development of new energy-saving technologies;
- The level of harmful emissions into the environment is reduced;
- Improves indoor comfort;
- The energy intensity of the country's economy is decreasing;
- Saving energy resources and preserving the environment for future generations.
10 Simple and Effective Ways to Save Energy
1. Use energy efficient lighting fixtures
The most elementary way to save light is to replace conventional incandescent lamps with energy-saving ones. Recently, in addition to the more common fluorescent with a reduced mercury content, new LEDs have appeared on the market. They have some advantages - higher mechanical strength due to the absence of a fragile glass bulb and tungsten filaments, durability and independence from frequent switching. The only drawback of LED lamps is the high price, but over time they become much cheaper.
2. Turn off the lights when leaving the room.
Also one of the simplest methods to save electricity, which for some reason we neglect. If you don't have a very good memory, then write a reminder note and stick it in a prominent place at the exit. Over time, this will develop into a stable habit.
3. Follow the instructions that came with household appliances and monitor their condition
For example, periodically descale an electric kettle: solid layers of salts on the inner walls of the device create high thermal resistance, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the heating element and, accordingly, increases its energy consumption.
Also, if you put the refrigerator next to a heat source, the power consumption can increase several times, since the device will have to work in forced mode to maintain the set temperature. A freezer on a glazed balcony will bring more benefits than in a warm kitchen, where one refrigerator is enough, which, in turn, needs to be defrosted in a timely manner and dusted from the heat exchanger on the back wall.
4. Give your home a makeover
A "simple" cosmetic repair will also help save energy. Simple manipulations, such as sticking light wallpapers and painting ceilings in light colors, will allow your room to reflect up to eighty percent of the sun's rays. The darker the material, the less it reflects light, which means that more electricity will be required to illuminate rooms with a dark interior. Also, make the most of natural light.
5. Wipe light bulbs from dust
One of the effective options for saving electricity in an apartment includes a simple procedure for cleaning light bulbs. Few people take this recommendation seriously, since it is much easier to change a dimmed light source to a more powerful one. And in vain - since you need to keep in mind that dust can "absorb" up to 20% of the light from the lamp. In addition, do not forget about cleaning the shades of chandeliers and lamps.
6. Use heat reflectors (thermal mirrors)
A sufficiently large amount of electricity is taken by heating devices used in the cold season. To reduce unnecessary heat and energy losses, for example, heat-reflecting screens for batteries made of foamed polyethylene (environmentally friendly polyethylene foam, duplicated with lavsan or polypropylene metallized film) will help. This will help raise the temperature in the room by a few degrees, and excess heat will not be given off to the walls and through them to the street.
7. Use a dual-zone meter to pay differentiated rates
The tariff for electricity at night (from 23. 00 to 07. 00) is two times lower than during the day. Therefore, those who work at night or simply prefer to sleep during the day, installing a two-tariff meter can not only save money on paying for electricity, but also reduce the likelihood of emergency blackouts. Unfortunately, the diftariff system is not popular, and many simply do not know about its existence.
8. Buy household appliances with energy consumption class "A" and above
Energy efficiency is indicated by classes - from A to G. Class A has the lowest power consumption, G is the least efficient. Most modern household products, light bulb packaging and even cars must carry an EU energy efficiency label. More economical equipment is usually marked with a green label. Energy-saving appliances consume much less energy than other appliances. Moreover, the difference can sometimes be up to fifty percent. In addition, today there is equipment of class A + and A ++. Accordingly, its energy-saving abilities are even higher.
9. Insulate the apartment / house / room
Also one of the most effective methods. In addition to all of the above, you can save energy by taking simple measures to warm the room. First, insulate the windows and seal all the cracks, and ideally, replace outdated double-glazed windows with better plastic ones, preferably with energy-saving glasses. It is known that up to 50% of heat can be lost through windows. Also, in winter, it is better to hang warm thick night curtains on the windows, as well as insulate the front doors and the balcony (loggia), you should also think about insulating the floors in the room.
Insulate the facade of your house or apartment. This will also significantly reduce the "load" on the electric meter, since an effective increase in the thermal insulation capacity of the walls and the elimination of the so-called "cold bridges" will not only consume less electricity for heating in winter, but also keep cool in summer. Mineral wool or foam plastic can be used as a heat-insulating material.
10. Apply smart technologies and renewable energy sources
In the modern construction industry, there is the concept of "smart" home, which implies a system that provides, first of all, resource saving and safety with the help of high-tech devices and automation. Of course, laying "smart" features for your home is recommended at the design stage. However, some elements of smart technologies can already be equipped with living quarters. For example, you can remotely control heating, air conditioning and lighting using special applications on your smartphone.
The most common alternative energy sources are the sun and wind. Therefore, for homeowners, solar and wind power plants are the most attractive. There are many examples when, for example, solar panels have helped private households save electricity and become energy independent, but the final economic effect of their installation must be calculated in each case separately. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that anyone will dispute the fact that the future of renewable energy and their availability for ordinary users is a matter of the next few years - this is clearly evidenced by successful foreign experience.