ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION TIPS

• ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION TIPS
  
  
• Energy efficiency tips for Lighting
  
• Energy Efficiency tips when using the washing machine
  
• Energy Conservation tips for cooling – reduce use of Air Conditioners
  
• Energy efficiency tips for cooling – Refrigeration
  
• Energy efficiency tips when cooking
  
• Energy conservation tips on the road
  

Energy efficiency tips for Lighting

• Special-purpose lighting should be controlled by separate switches and used only when required. The use of dimmer switches can often be used effectively.
  
• Lamps close to windows or in unoccupied areas should not be switched on until it becomes necessary, i.e. at night, or when the area is occupied.
  
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs in all the portable table and floor lamps in your home. Consider carefully the size and fit of these systems as some home fixtures may not accommodate larger compact fluorescent bulbs.
  
• Take advantage of daylight by using light-coloured, loose-weave curtains on your windows.
  
• The cleaning of walls, ceilings, floors and bulbs/tube lightings can improve illumination levels and reduce the need for additional lighting.
  
• Fluorescent light starters should be changed if lights flicker. When lights flicker they consume more energy than when performing normally.
  
• Use linear fluorescent fixtures with T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts. These use 25% less energy than old fashion T-12 fluorescent lamps and electromagnetic ballasts.
  
• Disconnect and remove unneeded lamps and fixtures.
  

• Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a motion sensor so they will turn on only at night or when someone is present. A combined photocell and motion sensor will increase your energy savings even more.
  
• Exterior lighting is one of the best places to use florescent lightings because of their long life.
  
• Consider solar photovoltaic-powered lights for areas that are not close to an existing power supply line.
  
• Compact fluorescent bulbs are three to ten times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same light levels.
  

Energy Efficiency tips when using the washing machine

• Wash full loads.
  
• If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.
  
• Note: full load does not mean to overload your washing machine.
  
• Soak clothes an hour or two before washing and then use lower time settings
  
• Note: separate coloured clothes from plain clothes (whites).
  
• Cleaner clothes such as office working clothes or church clothes to be washed at a lower time settings compared to the dirty clothes.
  
• In the Pacific region, sunshine is always abundant, make full use of this and hang clothes out to dry. Spin dry clothes only during prolonged periods of wet weather.
  
• Towels and heavier cottons should be washed in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
  
• For twin tub washing machines, don’t use the spin dryer to rinse clothes, rinse clothes manually in the tub or sink.
  

• Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible. Unless you're dealing with oily stains, the warm or cold water setting on your machine will generally do a good job of cleaning your clothes.
  
• Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy use in half.
  
• Always use cold water for the rinse cycle, warm water does not get your clothes any cleaner.
  
• Reduce your electricity account by skipping the washing machine's pre-wash cycle if your clothes are not particularly dirty. This will use up to 20% less electricity.
  

Energy Conservation tips for cooling – reduce use of Air Conditioners

• Open windows at night to bring in cool night air, close them during the day.
  
• Close drapes (long curtains) during the day.
  
• Shade west facing windows to minimise sun heat entering the house.
  
• Draw cool night air into the house with a fan.
  
• Use room air conditioning only when and where needed and install energy efficient models.
  
• Settings on AC in the rooms are to range from 240C (750F) to 270C (800F) – keep as high as comfortably possible. Any temperature settings below 240C (750F) will be wastage and be uncomfortable for some people. Every 10C (340F) cooler than 240C (750F) could increase the air conditioner power bill by 3-4%. Once you've found yourself a comfortable temperature, set the thermostat at that level and avoid touching the thermostat thereafter if possible.
  
• Regularly change air conditioning system filters and clean the condenser.
  
• Plant deciduous shade trees on the west side of your house to provide shade.
  
• Insulated ceilings and walls drastically reduces the level of air conditioning required.
  

Energy efficiency tips for cooling – Refrigeration

• Set temperatures at 2-40C (36-390F) for the fresh food compartment. The freezer compartment should be set at -15°C (50F). If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at -180C (00F).
  
• Check the location – Place your refrigerator/ freezer in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area. Be sure to keep them away from heat sources like ovens, stoves, hot water heaters or to direct sunlight. Check to be sure that air flow around your refrigerator is not obstructed.
  
• Let hot food or liquid cool first – to room temperature before putting then into the fridge. Hot food will raise the temperature in the fridge, making it work much harder. Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
  
• Regularly defrost – Regular defrosting of manual refrigerators and freezers will increase efficiency of the unit. Do not allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
  
• Test the balance – Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check the door gasket occasionally to be sure the seal isn't broken by debris or caked on food. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper out easily, the latch may need adjustment, the seal may need replacing, or you might consider buying a new unit.
  
• Clean the coils in the back of your refrigerator twice a year to maximize efficiency.
  
• If your refrigerator has an energy-saver (anti-sweat) switch, it should be turned on.
  
• Open when necessary – Opening the refrigerator or freezer door only when necessary will reduce the amount of cold air lost.
  
• When house is vacant – Turn off, empty and clean the refrigerator and leave the door open.
  

Energy efficiency tips when cooking

• Thaw food before cooking.
  
• Use energy efficient cooking practices, such as using minimum water in pots, keeping lids on pots.
  
• Use the right size hot plates/burner matched to the right pot size.
  
• Use steamers and pot dividers to cook all your vegetables at once.
  
• Keep surfaces of appliances clean to promote maximum heat reflection.
  
• Turn the stove off 10 minutes before cooking is finished and use residual heat.
  
• Have appliances serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions – do not attempt repairs yourself.
  

• Open the oven door only when necessary. Oven temperature drops 25-30 degrees every time you open the door. Getting an oven with an oven light and a glass door window will let you check on your food without opening the door.
  
• If using aluminium foil as a cover for pans while roasting, apply with the dull side up.
  
• Don't put aluminium foil on the bottom of a gas oven to catch drippings. The foil blocks the heat that the oven is trying to produce. (It's fine to put foil in an electric oven to catch drips, as long as you leave the heating elements on the side exposed.)
  
• Use glass and ceramic pans when baking. They retain heat better than metal pans and allow you to lower the baking temperature by 25 degrees.
  
• Check the seal on the oven door. A good seal will hold a piece of paper in place when the oven door is closed (make sure the oven is turned off). If the paper can be easily pulled out, the seal may need replacing.
  
• Use the oven fully where possible and plan on cooking several dishes at once.
  
• Preheating is unnecessary in a gas oven and should be minimised in an electric oven.
  

Energy conservation tips on the road

• Stay within posted speed limits. Each 1.6 km/h (1mile/hr) you drive over 60 is like paying an extra 10 cents per 4 litres (gallon). (Driving at 90km/h instead of 110km/h saves 25% on fuel).
  
• Stop aggressive driving. You can improve your gas mileage up to 5% around town if you avoid “jackrabbitâ€? starts and stops by anticipating traffic conditions. At high way speeds you can waste as much as 33% by hard braking or jackrabbit takeoffs.
  
• Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs you money, and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
  
• Combine errands. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
  
• Remove excess weight from the trunk. An extra 50 kilograms in the trunk can reduce a typical car’s fuel economy by up to 2%.
  
• Minimise use of air conditioner – open your windows at low speeds and using the air conditioner at high speeds gives you better fuel economy. Unnecessary use of air conditioner could add 10% to your fuel bill.
  
• Avoid heavy traffic and lots of traffic lights – The shortest route is not always the most fuel efficient if you have to stop a lot.
  
• Do not drive for short trips – Consider public transportation or walk to a nearby destination.
  
• Share your car with others – Take on neighbours, friends or colleagues who travel on the same route, or take the car of others and leave your car at home.
  
• Reduce drag. A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by 5%.
  

• Don't top off, especially in the summer. The petrol is stored underground where it is cool. When you top off, some gas will spill out of your tank as it warms up.
  
• Ensure fuel cap is properly sealed. In the USA every year 556.5 million litres (147 million gallons) of fuel are lost due to evaporation. When you park your car in the shade, you also reduce the amount of fuel that evaporates.
  
• Maintain good tire pressure. Tires that are under-inflated by just 6 to 7 pounds per square inch (41.4 – 48.3 kilo Pascals) can reduce fuel economy by 2% and tread wear life by as much as 10%.
  
• Use the correct grade of motor oil. If you use the wrong grade, you may increase the friction in your engine. It gets hotter and uses more petrol.