Today, hardly anyone can imagine their life without a refrigerator, freezer, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, television, computer, hairdryer, electric kettle, blender and other appliances. All these objects surround us on a daily basis and in many ways make our life easier.
However, one should not overlook the fact that electricity prices are constantly increasing. With them, the graph of spending in the family budget to pay for electricity increases. What to do? The answer to this question is one, and it lies on the surface: start saving.
Electricity used beyond the established standard is paid at higher rates. At the same time, the level does not depend on the number of people living in the apartment, as well as its area.
Energy saving techniques
The power consumption of household appliances depends on their operating time and specifications, which are usually listed in the instructions or on the websites of the manufacturers. Many modern appliances have special “Eco” or “Economy” operating modes, which consume the least energy. Therefore, when using the devices, economical modes of operation should be defined. Experts also advise to buy electrical devices only of high energy efficiency classes (A, A + and above).
We save on the lighting of the apartment
Incandescent lamps are the cheapest and most common today for lighting an apartment. They are easy to use, but have a very low yield. Up to 95% of the energy is devoted to heating and only 5% to lighting. Another disadvantage of these lamps is that they often burn out.
The service life of halogen lamps is two or even four times that of incandescent lamps. But they are not energy efficient and have a big drawback - the bulb, even when the lamp is off and cold, cannot be touched by hand. The fingerprints make it burn.
Fluorescent lamps have higher efficiency. This 20W lamp provides the same lighting as a 100W incandescent lamp. The service life of fluorescent lamps can reach 20, 000 hours, while incandescent lamps do not last more than 1, 000 hours. However, fluorescent lamps contain mercury. Phosphorus breaks down over time. This reduces the light output and impairs the transmission of light.
LEDbulbs 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 lamps varies from 50, 000 to 100, 000 hours. Their major drawback is their high price.
We save on the fridge and kitchen appliances
Refrigerators should be installed in the darkest and coolest areas of the kitchen. This saves energy to cool their rear grille.
Avoid placing the refrigerator near a window, heater, or stove. If it is a two-way compressor and a chamber is not in use, it is best to turn it off.
If the kitchen is equipped with a gas stove, it is better to heat the water on the stove and not in the electric kettle. This will help reduce energy consumption.
If you are using an electric kettle, fill it with as much water as you use at a time. Your loved ones will heat the water again and you will have additional energy consumption.
When using an electric cooker, turn off the hob 1 to 2 minutes before the end of cooking. Choose pots that match the size of the stove, otherwise you will lose up to 5-10% of your energy. Dishes with a curved bottom use up to 40-60% excess energy.
When using the microwave to heat or defrost food, choose the appropriate setting. It is stated in the instructions.
Prefer a manual meat grinder to a food processor. This will not only help save energy, but also grind food better.
Save money on the washing machine
Carefully read the instructions for the "washing machine". As a general rule, the more water the machine sucks, the more its temperature rises, the more energy is used for washing. When underloaded, the machine consumes more than about 15% of the energy. If the program is not properly installed, the power consumption is approximately 30%.
We save on ironwork
Try ironing damp clothes. If you dry it, then you will have to heat the iron more to iron it and therefore use more electricity.
We save on cleaning the premises
When vacuuming, frequently empty the dust bags or replace them when using disposable bags. The accumulation of large amounts of debris in the bag causes the vacuum to overheat and consume a lot of energy.
We save on standby mode of devices
Switched off devices remaining on the network do not consume much electricity. But you can also save on this point. If you decide to save power, don't forget to turn off your network television, stereo, or video player. Additionally, there are many instances where electronic devices remaining on the power grid burn out during a thunderstorm or accident.
Save money on computer and internet
Try to use your computer longer. When you leave the house, turn it off. This will prolong the operation of expensive equipment and save electricity.
Remember that an LCD monitor or laptop uses less power than an older monitor and desktop computer.
Cell phone chargers, which stay on the network for a long time, do not consume much electricity. However, these are switching power supplies. On the network, they can overheat and deteriorate. God forbid that there is a fire in the apartment. Unfortunately, there are such cases.
We save on common areas
In addition to the household appliances in your apartment, pay attention to the consumption of electrical appliances in the common areas of a building - lamps, elevators, video surveillance, fire alarms, forced ventilation, etc. Energy efficiency and economical use patterns can help you lower your home's maintenance costs.