If your wish to make a difference to the environment, and help change it for the better, there is no better way than to start with your home. Use electricity-saving devices and follow a few tips—not only will this save you money in electricity bills, it will also reduce the pressure on existing resources. Cell Tips & Tricks writes
Today, the market is full of smart, home appliances that not only save energy, but also have higher efficiency compared to similar devices of only a decade ago. These energy-efficient devices not only cut energy consumption but also help cut down on our electricity bills at the end of the month.
Many environment conscious people are enthusiastic about energy-saving products, especially where the returns in terms of saving of power are assured. They are proactive in directing and supervising their electrcal contractors in the selection and installation of electrical fittingsand the products that are making the cut are the star-rated energy savers that offer customers a 'green' solution.
An expert in the field says: "Energy crisis is perhaps the most critical problem that the human civilization has ever faced. Home appliances that save as much as 50% more power than their most energy efficient versions are going to hit the markets in about a year, under the government's rewards plan to manufacturers."
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), an agency of the power ministry, is set to launch a 'super-efficient equipment programme' to encourage the manufacture of products that are 30-50% more efficient than five-star labelled goods, considered to be most energy efficient in the country.
This programme seeks to promote domestic manufacture of energy-efficient gadgets by reducing their cost through market incentives. "However, for the initiative, such appliances would have come to India in about 10 years from now," points out BEE director general, Ajay Mathur.
A super-efficient fan should consume just 25-30 watts per hour against 50 watts by a normal fan. All large ceiling fan manufacturers evinced interest in the scheme. "There is a big market for super energy-efficient products in India, as 90% of the consumers today are opting for star-rated products. However, consumers may have to pay more," the expert says.
Kamal Nandi, the executive vicepresident of a home appliances company, says: "Whether it is an energy efficient airconditioner or refrigerator, the premium spent on the product would be paid back by your savings on electricity, by the end of the first year. Today, consumers are quite aware of their options and clear about what they desire. In the airconditioner category, they are looking for more than just cooling; they are looking for stylish exteriors and energy-saving attributes to match their lifestyles, while still being conscious about freshness and health concerns."
QUICK BITES
BEE RATES ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ON A SCALE OF ONE TO FIVE, WITH HIGHER STAR RATINGS IMPLYING MORE ENERGY SAVINGS OR EFFICIENCY—5-STAR LABELLED PRODUCTS ARE COSTLIER BY RS 2,000-3,000 COMPARED TO 4-STAR LABELLED PRODUCTS, DEPENDING ON THE PRODUCT AND MODEL
A super energy-efficient airconditioner would be Rs 3,000-4,000 costlier than the existing 5-star labelled ones. At present, BEE rates electrical appliances on a scale of one to five, with higher star ratings implying more energy savings or efficiency. Five-star labelled products are costlier by Rs 2,000-3,000 compared to 4-star labelled products, depending on the product and model. However, experts say that one can do many things to save energy and cut electricity bills.
R Raman, the vice-president (corporate communications) of a real estate firm, says: "In the peak of summer, having a smart airconditioner that can be programmed to switch on only towards late evening, cooling down the house by the time you return from work, rather than leaving it on the entire day, would be a super energy saver. Another energy saver could be a solar panel rather than an electric geyser."
Compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs save energy usage significantly. They can effectively save Rs 30 worth of electricity costs over a typical lamp's lifetime, which is 8-15 times higher than that of natural light bulbs.
They also provide a faster startup and much more efficiency compared to common lamps.
Sanjeev Wadhwa, the country manager of the Indian arm of a New Zealand-based appliance manufacturer, says, "One of the green technologies in use is adaptive defrost mechanisms in refrigeration that activate only when needed and respond to how consumers use their fridge."
Mahesh Krishnan, the vice-president of another home appliances company, says, "There are innovative digital inverter compressors in select frostfree refrigerator models; washing machines too come in various technologies to make them more energy efficient." Wadhwa says: "Refrigerators account for about 20% of household electricity usage. Set your refrigerator temperature to about 38-42o F and your freezer to around three degrees. If your fridge has a power-save switch, turn it on. Make sure the door seals tightly and keep the door clean. If you leave your fridge door open, it tries to cool your whole room, using a large amount of energy." Also, in order to run the system efficiently, you need to defrost your fridge or freezer regularly. Do not keep your refrigeration equipment near other heating devices. If your fridge is next to a hot appliance, then it has to work even harder to keep your food at the set temperature, using more energy, wasting your money and leading to more carbon dioxide emissions.
Also, washing with cold water can cut 80-90% of running costs. Use lower temperatures on your washing machine. Modern washing machines are effective at even lower temperatures. Wash clothes at 40°C rather than 60°C, as this will reduce carbon emissions by a third. Always remember to put full loads in a washing machine. Hang clothes outside to dry rather than in a tumble dryer. Tumble driers use a large amount of energy; so drying your clothes naturally will reduce carbon emissions.
However, with innovations in technology, the parameters for a particular star rating can change. "The table for star labelling changes over time; last year's 2-star-rated split ACs may become 1-star-rated this year," N Venkitachalam, a civic activist, says. There is more you can do at home for energy efficiency. Turn TV, games consoles, computers, mobile phone and other chargers off at the power point when not in use. This can save up to 10% of your power bill. This wasted energy could power tens and thousands of homes. Don't leave appliances charging unnecessarily.
Another common phenomenon is the use of desktops that are far more powerful than necessary, to run typical office applications. Many applications in the office environment would benefit more from additional memory than high-performance processors. In such cases, older machines with more 'frugal' processors could be upgraded and remain in service. Due to their compact housing, notebooks use another technology. They generate less heat, thus, using less energy. You can therefore, consider a notebook as a replacement for your desktop.
One of the most recommended energy-saving devices available today is a standby saver. This device is designed to plug into one's TV, DVD player, PC, etc, and prevent them from spending all day in standby mode.
Typically, most people are too lazy to turn off their TV or PC and leave it on standby mode instead. They do not realize that the TV, DVD player or PC, is still on and is costing them money.
A standby saver conserves energy by automatically putting the devices in the 'off' mode after some time.
Another device available in the market today, is a monitor for gauging energy usage. Energy usage monitors are energy saving devices that calculate how much energy-and subsequently, how much money-is being spent on which device. The device consists of a sensor and a monitor, where one can see the amount being spent on a particular device.
A survey showed that usage of this device saved up to 6.5% energy in an average household. In addition to this, solar energy can also be used if consumption of conventional thermal electrical energy proves to be too expensive.
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