Today, almost no one imagines life without a refrigerator, refrigerator, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, TV, computer, hairdryer, electric kettle, mixer and other appliances. All these objects surround us in daily life and in many ways make our lives easier.
However, one cannot deny the fact that electricity tariffs are constantly increasing. Along with them, the spending graph in the family budget to pay for electricity increases. What to do? The answer to this question is one, and it is on the surface - to start saving.
Electricity used in excess of a set standard is paid at a higher tariff. At the same time, the standard does not depend on the number of people living in the apartment, or in its area.
Energy Saving Techniques
The electrical use of household appliances depends on their time and operating specifications, which are usually indicated in the instructions or on the manufacturer's website. Many modern devices have a special operating mode "Eco" or "Economy", where energy consumption is minimal. Therefore, while operating the device, it is necessary to set an economical mode of operation. Experts also advise buying electrical appliances only high energy efficiency classes (A, A + and higher).
We save on apartment lighting
The cheapest and most common way to light an apartment today is incandescent lamps. They are easy to operate, but have very low efficiency. Up to 95% of energy is spent on heating and only 5% on lighting. Another disadvantage of these lamps is that they often burn.
The life span of a halogen lamp is two or four times that of an incandescent lamp. But they do not save energy and have one major drawback: the bulbs, even if the lamp is turned off and cold, can not be touched by hand. Fingerprints cause it to burn.
Fluorescent lamps have higher efficiency. This 20W lamp provides the same lighting as a 100W incandescent lamp. The lifespan of fluorescent lamps can reach 20 thousand hours, while incandescent lamps do not last more than 1, 000 hours. However, fluorescent lamps contain mercury. Phosphorus is damaged over time. This reduces light output and interferes with light transmission.
LED bulbs are among the most environmentally friendly and versatile. They are superior to incandescent and fluorescent lamps in terms of energy efficiency, durability, safety and lighting. The lifespan of LED lights ranges from 50 thousand to 100 thousand hours. Their significant disadvantage is the high price.
We save on refrigerators and kitchen utensils
Refrigerators should be installed in the darkest and coolest places in the kitchen. This saves energy to cool their rear grill.
Avoid placing the refrigerator near windows, radiators or kitchens. If it is a double compressor, and one space is not used, it is better to turn it off.
If the stove is equipped with a gas stove, it is better to heat the water on the stove, and not in an electric kettle. This will help save energy consumption.
If you use an electric kettle, fill it with as much water as you used at one time. Your loved ones will heat the water again, and you will have extra energy consumption.
When using an electric stove, turn off the stove 1-2 minutes before cooking is complete. Choose a pot that fits the size of the kitchen, otherwise you will lose up to 5-10% of your energy. Dishes with a curved bottom require more than 40-60% energy.
When using the microwave to reheat or thaw food, select the correct setting. This is indicated in the instructions.
Prefer a hand grinder than a food processor. This can not only save energy, but also chop up better food.
Save money on washing machine
Carefully study the instructions for "washing machine". As a rule, the more water the machine takes in, the higher the temperature, the more energy is used for washing. When loaded, the machine consumes about 15% of the energy. If the program is not installed properly, the power consumption is around 30%.
We save on iron work
Try ironing a damp laundry. If you dry it, you will need to heat the iron more for ironing, and thus use more electricity.
We save on premises cleaning
While emptying, empty dust bags frequently or alternately when using disposable bags. The accumulation of large amounts of waste in the bag leads to overheated vacuum heating and large energy consumption.
We save standby mode
Shuttered equipment left in the network does not use much electricity. But you can save it too. If you decide to save energy, do not forget to unplug your TV, stereo or video player. In addition, there are many cases when electronic devices left on the power grid catch fire during a thunderstorm or accident.
Save money on computers and the internet
Try using your computer for a longer period of time. When leaving home, turn it off. This will prolong the operation of expensive equipment and save electricity.
Remember that LCD monitors or laptops use less power than older monitors and desktop computers.
Mobile phone "chargers", which remain in the network for a long time, do not use much electricity. However, this changes the power supply. In the network, they can warm up and deteriorate. God forbid there is a fire in the apartment. Unfortunately, there are cases like that.
We save public areas
In addition to the appliances in your apartment, note the use of electrical appliances in the general areas of the apartment building - lights, elevators, video surveillance, fire alarms, forced ventilation, and so on. Energy efficiency and economical use methods can help you save on the cost of maintaining your home.