Energy in savings in Home Appliances

The Domestic Sector accounts for 30% of total energy consumption in the country. There is a tremendous scope to conserve energy by adopting simple measures.


Some Useful Tips to Save Energy

Lighting

• Turn off the lights when not in use.
• Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room. 
• Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.
• De-dust lighting fixtures to maintain illumination.
• Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it.
• Compact fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting.
• Use electronic chokes in place of conventional copper chokes.

Fans

• Replace conventional regulators with electronic regulators for ceiling fans.
• Install exhaust fans at a higher elevation than ceiling fans.

Electric Iron

• Select iron boxes with automatic temperature cut-off.
• Use appropriate regulator position for ironing.
• Do not put more water on clothes while ironing.
• Do not iron wet clothes.

Kitchen Appliances

Mixers

• Avoid dry grinding in your food processors (mixers and grinders) as it
• takes longer time than liquid grinding.

Microwaves Ovens

• Consumes 50 % less energy than conventional electric/gas stoves.
• Do not bake large food items.
• Unless you’re baking breads or pastries, you may not even need to pre-heat.
• Don’t open the oven door too often to check food condition as each opening leads to a temperature drop of 25 degrees. 

Energy Savings in Home Appliances

• Electric Stove
• Turn off electric stoves several minutes before the specified cooking time.
• Use flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the cooking coil.

Gas Stove

• When cooking on a gas burner, use moderate flame settings to conserve LPG.
• Remember that a blue flame means your gas stove is operating efficiently.
• Yellowish flame is an indicator that the burner needs cleaning.
• Use pressure cookers as much as possible.
• Use lids to cover the pans while cooking.
• Bring items taken out of refrigerators (like vegetables, milk etc) to room temperature before placing on the gas stove for heating.
• Use Solar Water Heater – a good replacement for a electric water heater.

Electronic devices

• Do not switch on the power when TV and Audio Systems are not in use i.e, idle operation leads to an energy loss of 10 watts/device.

Refrigerator

• Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running.
• Leave enough space between your refrigerator and the walls so that air can easily circulate around the refrigerator.
• Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight.
• Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
• Do not open the doors of the refrigerators frequently.
• Don’t leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape.
• Use smaller cabinets for storing frequently used items.
• Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge.

Energy Savings in Home Appliances

Washing Machines

• Always wash only with full loads.
• Use optimal quantity of water.
• Use timer facility to save energy.
• Use the correct amount of detergent.
• Use hot water only for very dirty clothes.
• Always use cold water in the rinse cycle.
• Prefer natural drying over electric dryers.

Air Conditioners

• Prefer air conditioners having automatic temperature cut off.
• Keep regulators at “low cool” position.
• Operate the ceiling fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively throughout the room and operate the air conditioner at higher temperature.
• Seal the doors and windows properly.
• Leave enough space between your air conditioner and the walls to allow better air circulation.
• A roof garden can reduce the load on Air Conditioner.
• Use windows with sun films/curtains.
• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower will be energy consumption.
• Don’t set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling.
• Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.

By following these simple hints one can save energy to a large extent.