Today, almost no one can imagine their life without a refrigerator, freezer, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, TV, computer, hair dryer, electric kettle, mixer and other appliances. All of these objects surround us in our daily lives and make our lives easier in many ways.
However, the fact that electricity tariffs are constantly rising should not be underestimated. Along with them, the graph of the cost of electricity payment in the family budget increases. What to do? The answer to this question is one, and lies on the surface - start saving.
Electricity used in excess of the set standard is paid at higher tariffs. However, the standard does not depend on the number of people living in the apartment or its area.
Energy saving techniques
The power consumption of household appliances depends on their operating time and specifications, which are usually indicated in the instructions or on the manufacturers' websites. Many modern devices have special "Eco" or "Economy" modes that consume the least energy. Therefore, it is advisable to set economical modes when operating the devices. Experts advise that you only buy electrical appliances with a high energy efficiency class (A, A + and higher).
We save on lighting in the apartment
Incandescent lamps are the cheapest and most common for lighting an apartment. They are easy to handle but have very low efficiency. 95% of the energy is spent on heating and only 5% on lighting. Another disadvantage of these lamps is that they often burn out.
Halogen lamps have twice or even four times the life of incandescent lamps. But they are not energy efficient and have a major drawback: the bulb cannot be touched by hand even when the lamp is off and cold. Fingerprints burn out.
Fluorescent lamps are more efficient. This 20 W lamp provides the same illumination as a 100 W incandescent lamp. Fluorescent lamps can last up to 20, 000 hours, while light bulbs can live up to 1, 000 hours. However, fluorescent tubes contain mercury. Phosphorus decomposes over time. This reduces light emission and impairs light transmission.
LED bulbs are the most environmentally friendly and versatile. They outperform incandescent and fluorescent lamps in terms of energy efficiency, durability, safety and lighting. The lifespan of LED lamps ranges from 50, 000 to 100, 000 hours. Their significant disadvantage is the high price.
Save on refrigerators and kitchen utensils
Refrigerators should be placed in the darkest and coolest places in the kitchen. This saves energy for cooling the rear grille.
Avoid placing the refrigerator near a window, radiator, or stove. If it is two compressors and one chamber is not used, it is better to turn it off.
If there is a gas stove in the kitchen, it is better to heat the water on the stove than in the electric kettle. This helps to save energy consumption.
If you use an electric kettle, fill it with as much water as you use at one time. It reheats the water for loved ones and requires additional energy consumption.
If you use an electric stove, switch off the hob 1-2 minutes before you finish cooking. Choose pots that match the size of the stove, otherwise you will lose up to 5-10% of your energy. Curved-bottomed pots use up to 40-60% of the excess energy.
If you use a microwave oven to heat or defrost food, select the appropriate setting. It is included in the instructions.
Prefer a hand grinder over a food processor. Not only does this save energy, but it also grinds food better.
Save money on your washing machine
Carefully read the instructions for the "washing machine". As a general rule, the more water the machine gets, the higher its temperature, the more energy the washing uses. When underload, the machine consumes more than 15% of energy. If the program is not installed properly, the power consumption is about 30%.
We save the work of iron
Try ironing wet clothes. If you dry it, you will need to heat the iron more to iron and use more electricity accordingly.
We save on room cleaning
When vacuuming, empty the dustbags frequently or, if you are using disposable bags, replace them. Accumulation of large amounts of garbage in the bag leads to overheating of the vacuum cleaner and significant energy consumption.
Saving device standby
Devices left on the network do not consume much power. But you can also save on this. If you choose to save energy, be sure to turn off your TV, stereo, or video player from the mains. In addition, there are many cases where electronic devices remaining in the electrical grid burn out during a thunderstorm or accident.
Save money on your computer and the web
Try using the computer for an extended period of time. When you leave your home, turn it off. This prolongs the operation of expensive equipment and saves electricity.
Keep in mind that an LCD monitor or laptop consumes less power than an older monitor and desktop computer.
Mobile phone "chargers" that stay on the network for a long time do not consume much power. However, these are switching power supplies. They can overheat and deteriorate on the network. God forbid there is a fire in the apartment. Unfortunately, there are such cases.
We save on common areas
In addition to the appliances in your apartment, pay attention to the consumption of electrical appliances in the common areas of the tenement house - lamps, elevators, video surveillance, fire alarms, forced ventilation, etc. Energy efficiency and economical uses help you save on your home maintenance costs.