Tips for electricity conservation

Lighting System

•  One of the best energy-saving devices is the light

switch. Turn off lights when not required

• Many automatic devices can help in saving energy used

in lighting. Consider employing infrared sensors,
motion sensors, automatic timers, dimmers and solar
cells wherever applicable, to switch on/off lighting
circuits.

•  As for as possible use task lighting, which focuses light

where it's needed. A reading lamp, for example, lights
only reading material rather than the whole room.

•  Dirty tube lights and bulbs reflect less light and can

absorb 50 percent of the light; dust your tube lights and
lamps regularly.

•  Fluorescent tube lights and CFLs convert electricity to

visible light up to 5 times more efficiently than ordinary
bulbs and thus save about 70% of electricity for the
same lighting levels.

•   Ninety percent of the energy consumed by an ordinary

bulb (incandescent lamp) is given off as heat rather than
visible light.

•  Replace your electricity-guzzling ordinary bulbs

(incandescent lamps) with more efficient types.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use up to 75 percent
less electricity than incandescent lamps.

•  A 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb produces the same

amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb

Room Air Conditioners

•  Use ceiling or table fan as first line of defence against

summer heat. Ceiling fans, for instance, cost about 30
paise an hour to operate - much less than air
conditioners (Rs.10.00 per hour).

•  You can reduce air-conditioning energy use by as much

as 40 percent by shading your home's windows and
walls. Plant trees and shrubs to keep the day's hottest
sun off your house.

•  One will use 3 to 5 percent less energy for each degree

air conditioner is set above22°C (71.5°F), so set the
thermostat of room air conditioner at 25°C (77°F) to
provide the most comfort at the least cost.

• Using ceiling or room fans allows you to set the

thermostat higher because the air movement will cool
the room.

•  A good air conditioner will cool and dehumidify a room

in about 30 minutes, so use a timer and leave the unit
off for some time.

•  Keep doors to air-conditioned rooms closed as often as

possible.

Refrigerators

•  Make sure that refrigerator is kept away from all

sources of heat, including direct sunlight, radiators and
appliances such as the oven, and cooking range. When
it's dark, place a lit flashlight inside the refrigerator and
close the door. If light around the door is seen, the seals
need to be replaced.

•  Refrigerator motors and compressors generate heat, so

allow enough space for continuous airflow around
refrigerator. If the heat can't escape, the refrigerator's
cooling system will work harder and use more energy

•  A full refrigerator is a fine thing, but be sure to allow

adequate air circulation inside.

•  Think about what you need before opening refrigerator

door. You'll reduce the amount of time the door remains
open.

•  Allow hot and warm foods to cool and cover them well

before putting them in refrigerator. Refrigerator will use
less energy and condensation will reduced.

•  Make sure that refrigerator's rubber door seals are clean

and tight. They should hold a slip of paper snugly. If
paper slips out easily, replace the door seals.

Water Heater

•  To help reduce heat loss, always insulate hot water

pipes, especially where they run through unheated areas.
Never insulate plastic pipes.

•  By reducing the temperature setting of water heater

from 60 degrees to 50 degrees C, one could save over
18 percent of the energy used at the higher setting.

Microwave Ovens & Electric Kettles
 

•  Microwaves save energy by reducing cooking times. In

fact, one can save up to 50 percent on your cooking
energy costs by using a microwave oven instead of a
regular oven, especially for small quantities of food.

•  Remember, microwaves cook food from the outside

edge toward the centre of the dish, so if you're cooking
more than one item, place larger and thicker items on
the outside.

•  Use an electric kettle to heat water. It's more energy

efficient than using an electric cook top element.


Computers

•  Turn off your home office equipment when not in use.

A computer that runs 24 hours a day, for instance, uses -
more power than an energy-efficient refrigerator.

•  If your computer must be left on, turn off the monitor;

this device alone uses more than half the system's
energy.

•  Setting computers, monitors, and copiers to use sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by

approximately 40%.

•  Battery chargers, such as those for laptops, cell phones

and digital cameras, draw power whenever they are
plugged in and are very inefficient. Pull the plug and
save.

•  Screen savers save computer screens, not energy. Start-ups and shutdowns do not use any extra energy, nor are

they hard on your computer components. In fact,
shutting computers down when you are finished using
them actually reduces system wear - and saves energy