Paying for utilities at this time can significantly affect the family budget. And most of these costs are electricity bills. So how can you reduce costs and save energy?
Ensuring that everyone turns off the lights after themselves, cooking with a small fire is good, but it is not a comprehensive solution to the problem, because such a step does not bring significant results. There are a few simple tips, following which, you will reduce the "burden" on your wallet significantly.
First, you need to know which appliances are the most "greedy" - these are devices with heating coils and thermo elements: instantaneous water heaters, boilers and storage tanks with hot water, electric floor heating.
Also, this includes: electric kettle, electric stove, oven, electric fireplace, all types of heaters, hairdryer and iron. Powerful motors that use a lot of electrical energy effectively "help" in kilowatt rewinding. Leadership can boast: air-conditioning compressors, punches and drills, refrigerators, dishwashers, as well as washing machines, which have both electric motors and heating elements.
If you do not have time to install energy-saving lamps that use 4. 5-5 times less electricity, then it's time to buy them. They are, of course, more valuable than usual, but their service life is several times longer than incandescent lamps and they use less current.
Remember: five 20 watt energy -saving lamps use a traditional "hundred" electrical energy and each of them is capable of producing the same light output, and sometimes brighter.
Modern man, who can not imagine himself without the benefits of civilization, can not do without various types of appliances, electric lights, warm batteries and home appliances that create for him a "comfort zone". The issue of saving electricity and, in general, reducing the cost of maintaining your home is quite relevant to it. Therefore, it is useful to know about devices that help save money.
TVs and multimedia devices. Modern "flat" devices - plasma and LCD - use less energy, this also applies to computer monitors. The 17-inch kinescope monitor is unnecessarily turned on capable of "rolling" more than 190 kW / h a year. Using the "saving mode", which is equipped with all modern models, for computer monitors allows you to save 130-135 kW / h throughout the year.
Computer. The latest generation computers are equipped with power saving features. It's worth it to activate it (if it's not activated automatically). Therefore, the amount of energy used by the computer will be reduced by about 50%.
Some computer hardware, such as graphics or sound cards, processors, use more energy than other components. Therefore, when buying a new element for a computer, you need to pay attention to its energy efficiency.
Vacuum cleaner. In order for a 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 filter.
Mobile devices. Keep in mind: "recharging" left at the outlet uses up energy even after turning off the smartphone. When the charger is installed all the time, up to 95% of energy is wasted.
Copiers, printers, MFPs. "Copiers" that are turned on permanently throughout the year can use over 1000 kWh of electricity. The copier uses a lot of electricity when it is first turned on and when it does not work in live mode. To reduce power consumption, the device should be started only to copy a large amount of material and turn it off when done.
Electric stove. Using utensils for cooking, the dimensions of which do not match the electric stove burner, 5-10% of energy is lost. To save energy when using an electric stove, use dishes with the bottom of the correct shape, equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the heating surface. Cover the pot with a lid while preparing the first course. Intensive evaporation of water increases the cooking time by 20-30%, and, consequently, energy consumption increases by the same amount. Using a pressure cooker will reduce cooking time, and a thick -walled cooker will allow food to stay warm longer.
Washing machine. The main reason for inefficient operation of the washing machine is the maximum overload, as well as the opposite effect - incomplete loading. In the latter case, the excess of electricity expenditure can be 10-15%. With the wrong washing program, the excess electricity expenditure is up to 30%. Ultrasonic washing in some cases can simplify the work, and such devices use about 15 watts (click on the picture to enlarge).
aircond. To avoid wasted energy, air conditioners must be operated with doors and windows closed. Otherwise, the split system will cool the street or neighboring rooms, and where cold air is really needed, it will be hot. In addition, when planning the purchase of such a device, keep in mind that today there are modern models of air conditioners of the inverter type, the power consumption of which can be 50% lower than traditional systems with similar performance.
Refrigerator. The refrigerator should be in a cool place, preferably away from sunlight. Also, it should not be placed next to stoves or other appliances that emit heat. If the temperature in which the refrigerator is placed reaches 30 ° C, electricity consumption can increase by 100%.
It is also important not to put warm foods in the refrigerator, you have to wait for their temperature to drop at least to room temperature. The freezer must be thawed periodically. Thick layers of ice and frost affect the cooling of frozen foods and increase energy costs.
Power consumption in standby mode
It’s no secret to anyone that water droplets from broken or loose closed pipes flow into tens, and sometimes hundreds of liters of water per day, with subsequent consequences in the form of payment receipts with large zero amounts. And speaking figuratively, in every dwelling there are many loosely closed "faucets" through which electricity is constantly "leaking", and with it finances. We are talking about home electrical appliances that use 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 droplet can turn into a fairly significant "outflow" of funds from your own pocket.
The best illustration of the stupidity of wasting electricity is the "turned off" TV, which can be seen in almost every family. You might think that if the screen shows nothing, then energy is not wasted. However, this is not the case. Certain electronic circuits and the TV power supply are under constant voltage to allow communication with the remote control. In this case, electricity is used in the form of heat from the power supply. In the winter, such "warming up" may be useful, but in the summer, excessive heat can be your headache.
Below is a list of equipment, leaving it, you can not expect any energy savings. Equipment that "silently" uses electricity (meaning the amount every 1 hour)
- electric stove with electronic control - 3 watts;
- inkjet and laser printers - from 2 to 4 watts;
- cordless phone (consumer - basic) - 1 watt;
- chargers of various types, especially for mobile phones - 1 watt.
How to save electricity at home - this question can be found in the network of many answers, tips and tricks. It’s 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:
- Stimulate the development of new energy saving technologies;
- Levels of hazardous emissions to the environment are reduced;
- Increase interior comfort;
- The energy intensity of the country’s economy is declining;
- Save energy resources and preserve the environment for future generations.
10 Easy and Effective Ways to Save Energy
1. Use Energy Efficient Lighting
The most basic way to save light is to replace conventional incandescent lamps with energy -saving ones. Recently, in addition to the more common fluorescents with reduced mercury content, new LEDs have appeared on the market. They have several advantages - higher mechanical strength due to the absence of brittle glass bulbs and tungsten filaments, durability and freedom from frequent switching. The only drawback of LED lighting is the high price, but over time it becomes cheaper.
2. Turn off the lights when leaving the room.
Also one of the easiest methods to save energy, which for some reason we ignore. If you don’t have a very good memory, then write a reminder note and stick it in a conspicuous place at the exit. Over time, this will develop into a stable habit.
3. Follow the instructions that came with the appliance and monitor its condition
For example, defecate an electric kettle periodically: a dense layer of salt on the inner wall of the device creates a high thermal resistance, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the heating element and, thus, increases its energy consumption.
Also, if you place the refrigerator next to the heat source, the power consumption can increase several times, because the device has to work in forced mode to maintain the set temperature. A freezer on a layered balcony will bring more benefits than in a warm kitchen, where one refrigerator is enough, which, in turn, needs to be thawed in a timely manner and wiped from the heat exchanger on the back wall.
4. Renovate your home
"Easy" cosmetic repairs will also help save energy. Simple manipulations, such as pasting bright wallpaper and painting the ceiling in bright colors, will allow your room to reflect up to eighty percent of sunlight. The darker the material, the less it reflects light, which means that more electrical energy is needed to illuminate a room with a dark interior. Also, take full advantage of natural light.
5. Wipe the bulb from dust
One of the effective options for saving electricity in the apartment includes a simple procedure for cleaning light bulbs. Few people take this suggestion seriously, as it is easier to change a dim light source to a more powerful one. And in vain - because you have to remember that dust can "absorb" up to 20% of light from the lamp. In addition, do not forget about cleaning the color of the chandeliers and lamps.
6. Use a heat reflector (heat mirror)
A considerable amount of electricity is taken up by the heating devices used in winter. To reduce unnecessary heat and energy loss, for example, heat -reflecting screens for batteries made of foamed polyethylene (environmentally friendly polyethylene foam, doubled with lavsan or polypropylene metal film) will help. This will help increase the temperature in the room by a few degrees, and excess heat will not be released into the wall and through it to the street.
7. Use a dual-zone meter to pay different rates
Tariffs for electricity at night (from 23. 00 to 07. 00) are twice lower than during the day. Therefore, those who work at night or 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 are unaware of its existence.
8. Buy home appliances with energy consumption class "A" and above
Energy efficiency is indicated by class - from A to G. Class A has the lowest power consumption, G is the least efficient. Most modern home products, light bulb packaging and even cars must carry the EU energy efficiency label. More economical equipment is usually marked with a green label. Energy -saving appliances use less energy than other appliances. Moreover, the difference can sometimes be up to fifty percent. In addition, today there are A +and A ++ class equipment. Accordingly, its energy saving ability is higher.
9. Apartment / house / room insulation
Also one of the most effective methods. In addition to all of the above, you can save energy by taking simple steps to heat the room. First, insulate the windows and close all cracks, and preferably, replace stale double-glazed windows with better plastic, 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 thick warm night curtains on the windows, as well as protect the front door and balcony (loggia), you should also think about floor insulation in the room.
Insulation of the facade of your house or apartment. This will also significantly reduce the "load" on the electricity meter, as an effective increase in thermal insulation capacity of walls and the elimination of so -called "cold bridges" will not only use less electricity for heating in winter, but also stay cool in summer. Mineral wool or foam plastic can be used as a thermal insulation material.
10. Apply smart technologies and renewable energy sources
In the modern construction industry, there is the concept of "smart" homes, which envisages a system that provides, first of all, resource savings and security with the help of high -tech devices and automation. Of course, putting "smart" features for your home is recommended at the design stage. However, some elements of smart technology can already be equipped with housing. For example, you can control heating, air conditioning and lighting remotely using a special app 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 -free, but the final economic impact of their installation must be calculated in each case separately. Still, it’s unlikely anyone will dispute the fact that the future of RES and its availability to regular users is a problem in the next few years - this is clearly evidenced by successful foreign experience.