A modern apartment is full of all kinds of electrical appliances, without which people can no longer imagine their life. That is why residents of an ordinary two- or three-room apartment often receive electricity bills of 200-300 kW. However, energy savings in an apartment are possible, and we will look at options for saving electricity in an apartment with a meter.
General savings guidelines
First, residents need to determine which devices use the most energy. A home power meter can help. With its help, you can find out how much electricity a particular device (refrigerator, TV, hairdryer, iron) consumes when it is on or in standby mode.
By performing such an analysis of energy consumption, it is possible to develop saving measures.
During the next renovation of an apartment, you must:
- Replace old electrical wiring that was installed decades ago and was not designed for so many electrical devices. Using a larger cable, a rational layout and an increase in the number of secure outlets will avoid plugging in extension cords and tees. It is the path of the economy and fire safety.
- Line or paint the walls and ceilings in light colors that will extend the use of sunlight in the room. Remove all bulky items from window sills and hang transparent light curtains.
- Think about the zoning of the apartment and, accordingly, place lighting devices of the required power (general lighting, floor lamps, table lamps, wall lamps). If possible, replace chandeliers and lampshades with more transparent chandeliers that absorb less light, after which it will be possible to use lower wattage lamps.
- Insulate walls, replace windows, seal doors. All this will make it possible to turn on additional heating systems less often.
- Install a two-phase meter and use energy-hungry devices after 11: 00 p. m. , when the rate is much lower.
- Replace the old incandescent bulbs with more modern energy-saving or LED bulbs. This will save 70-80% of your home lighting costs.
Correct use of electrical appliances
If possible, you should say goodbye to old, power-hungry electrical appliances. Modern devices are much more attractive, practical and economical. The energy efficiency class A, A +, A ++ means that this device is the most economical today. However, even using old devices, you can save energy in the apartment.
- Electric cooker. Boil food on partial power after boiling water, closing the pot with a lid. Use only cooking utensils, cleaned of carbon deposits, with a flat bottom and of the correct size (preferably stainless steel), use a pressure cooker in which the cooking temperature is higher due to its tightness. Change the toasted spirals in the burners in time. by following all of these tips, you will save up to 60%.
- Place the refrigerator in a cool, well-ventilated place. The door should be properly sealed and opened as infrequently and for a short period of time as possible. The refrigerator should not be completely filled with dishes and food, as the air inside must circulate freely. Do not place pans containing food in the refrigerator until they have cooled to room temperature.
- Audio and video equipment must be constantly cooled by a draft. Do not leave it in standby mode. It is best to place the TV and computer monitor in an evenly lit area to reduce screen brightness and contrast.
- The computer. When you stop working on it, after a while the monitor goes into sleep mode, then the whole computer. The user can set the time after which the monitor "falls asleep".
- The vacuum cleaner should be regularly cleaned of accumulated dust, this will increase its traction and reduce power consumption.
- The washing machine must be loaded according to the standard specified in the passport. Underloading is just as unprofitable as overloading.
- The electric kettle should be regularly cleaned of limescale, which impairs the thermal conductivity of the heating element.
- Turn on the air conditioner only with windows and doors closed.
- Chargers for electronic gadgets that are not unplugged consume electricity, which is used to heat them.
How to save electricity in an apartment with folk remedies
Most often, such a formulation does not hide completely legal methods of saving money, but simply theft from an energy company. There are a lot of advertisements on the Internet like "save electricity in an apartment with a magnet".
- Strong neodymium (NdFeB) magnets are most often used to slow the meter. These magnets are able to stop or slow down electromechanical (inductive) meters, both single phase and three phase. Electronic meters do not react to magnets, except for devices whose measuring part is not electronic. However, it should be noted that from such an impact, up to 30-40% of meters fail, and if they are replaced in the power supply, they can perform a magnetization test and translatethe cheater in court in the courts.
- Various economists are also actively proposed. Manufacturers claim that with his help, the electrician is used more rationally, the service life of electrical devices is extended. In this case, the device has no effect on the counter. Upon closer examination, it was found that these devices have the simplest device: multiple LEDs and a 5 microfarad film capacitor. This device may have the least effect on the reactive energy of a low-power device, such as a fluorescent lamp. However, the apartment meter only takes into account active energy and does not react to reactive energy. Therefore, such economists are a complete scam.
It can be concluded that there are many ways to save electricity in an apartment, however, it is better to use legal methods than illegal and fraught with both technical and legal problems.