You probably are one of the millions of Nigerians affected by the current fuel crisis. The perennial erratic power supply along with spending hours queuing at the fuel stations can be very frustrating. Then at the end of the month, you get a huge electricity bill. With energy solutions you may not only lessen the hours at the fuel stations, you can save money and contribute to saving the planet as well.
Many people are not aware of how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy. Running on less energy has many benefits. First, an energy-efficient home will keep your family comfortable while guaranteeing lower energy bills. It costs less to power a home that has been converted to be more energy-efficient. It may also add to the value of the home when you decide to sell.
The high bills most people receive from electricity companies are not always because they used more electricity. According to an expert, power and energy do not mean the same thing. Power is the amount of energy you use overtime. So to reduce the cost of your bill, you only need to make sure that the systems used to power your home such as lighting, heating and so on are energy efficient.
One of the key ways to saving energy is by viewing your home as an energy system with interdependent parts. Taking a whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that money you invest to save energy is spent wisely.
What are the things you can do?
Invest in energy efficient bulbs. Lighting according to reports, accounts for about 14 percent of a typical household’s electricity bill. You can cut the bill significantly by changing the bulbs you use and how you use them. Energy efficient light bulbs like Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are two main types that have revolutionised energy-efficient lighting. CFLs are capable of being crewed into standard lamp sockets and produces lights that are similar to the common incandescent bulbs. They use 75 percent less energy and last about 10 times longer than traditional bulbs. LEDs are small and very efficient. LEDs last even longer than CFLs and consume less energy. It converts up to 90 percent of energy into light with only 10 percent.
Turn off the lights, TVs, entertainment systems, your computer and your monitor when leaving the room, regardless of how long. TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power.
There are energy efficient air conditioners but a ceiling fan consumes less energy. However, if you must use air conditioners, ensure the air filters are replaced periodically. Set thermostats to an appropriate temperature. Turn them down at night and off, when no one is home. At night, you can draw curtains over windows to insulate the house as an alternative to air conditioners. Check to see that windows and doors are closed when cooling your home.
Appliances and electronics should be used responsibly. Do not locate refrigerators and freezers near the stove or dishwasher; neither expose them to direct sunlight. On the other hand, exposing them to warm areas will force them to use more energy to remain cool.
Computers not in use should be shut off. Chargers used for laptops and cell phones consume energy when they are plugged in. Hence, when they are not connected to electronics they should remain unplugged.
Go for convection ovens, which are more energy-efficient than conventional ones. Convectional ovens use approximately 20 percent less electricity than conventional ovens. Microwave ovens consume approximately 80 percent less energy than conventional ones. When using conventional ovens, food should be placed on the top rack, which cooks food faster. Do not cook food uncovered. Placing lids on your pots and pans will heat food more quickly.
Avoid setting your washer on the medium and wash only full load of clothes. When clothes are not soiled, do not use temperature. Water that is 140o F uses far more energy than 103o F for the warm-water setting. Air-dry clothes on racks and lines, if possible. Wring clothes or spin-dry before putting them into the dryer.
Finally getting a prepaid meter or smart meter will help you monitor the energy consumption at home.
FRANK ELEANYA
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