Saving Power at Home
Many of us learned about the renewable and non-renewable sources of energy in school. However, we didn’t pay much attention to the rapid consumption of the non-renewable sources of energy until recently, when skyrocketing prices (due to increased demand and decreasing supplies) affected our pocketbooks.
The world is now faced with a severe energy shortage and none of us remain unaffected anymore. Should we leave everything to be regulated or enforced by the governments, or can we do some things right now to save energy? The answer is simple: we can and we must.
Let’s look at some ways of saving power at home.
Computer
Most of us don’t switch off our monitors even after we’ve shut down our computers. Keep the monitor and the computer switched off when you’re not using them. Many people don’t realize that appliances continue to “sip” power the whole time they’re plugged in, even when they are turned off. Unplug appliances that are easily plugged back in when you need them (sewing machines, radios, etc). Start practicing this easy technique at work and home- you‘ll help reduce your energy bills, and lower your consumption without a lot of work.
Light bulbs
You’ve seen compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs being advertised all the time. You might have even used them at times. But as a way of saving power, start using CFL light bulbs as often as you can. If you think they’re more expensive than regular light bulbs, the benefits of the CFL bulbs will prove much more cost-effective in the long run by saving power in your home. Be aware of the mercury content in CFLs and dispose of properly.
Air Conditioner
Set the temperature at the absolute minimum or maximum temperature you are comfortable with, depending on the season. The easiest way to save power is to not set it with too wide of a temperature variation, which will make the a/c unit work harder. Setting the air conditioner at reasonable temperatures can help save a lot of energy. Also, clean or replace the filters, and clean the vanes from dust and debris. Make sure there is adequate ventilation around the unit.
Washing Machines
Do you use your washing machine whenever you want? Saving power with your washing machine is easy, and actually reduces your work load. Simply avoid using your washing machine when there aren’t enough clothes for a full load? Minimize the number of washes by washing a full load of clothes every time, or choose the water level for the load if your machine allows it. Also, always washing in cold can dramatically save power.
Television
Unplug the power of your television set when not using it. This may not sound a big deal but this tiny step can help in saving power by up to 10% of your energy bill!
Water Heaters
Keep the water heater thermostat at the minimum heat setting. You don’t need to heat the water to a very high temperature. You may even consider replacing your old water heater with an “instant” or “on demand” type as they are more energy efficient.
Refrigerator
Cooling hot food to room temperatures before putting it into the refrigerator saves the energy needed to chill it (just be aware of safe food temperatures and times). You can also work at saving power by taking cold or frozen food out of the refrigerator before the mealtime, thereby reducing the power necessary in heating it.
Your Car
For an air-conditioner equipped car, roll up the windows of the car before switching on the air-conditioner. Driving highway speeds with the a/c on is also more efficient than with the windows down; the opposite is true with short trips or at slower speeds.