Energy saving shold be an issue worldwide.
Energy saving is on every mind. However, mostly not for the environment, but rather only for the possible cost savings. Because energy saving is also cost saving. This lack of motivation is a real shame, since nature does not rely on us, but we rely on nature. For the Energy Saving Day on 05.03.2017 we put together some tips for you. This allows you to save money while at the same time doing something good for nature and your environment.
An very often energy saving is quite simple. Look for yourself.
1. Use economical devices without rechargeable battery
Telephones, shavers and electric toothbrushes with direct mains power consume considerably less power than devices with a rechargeable battery. Looking at the EU Energy Label you see very quickly, which devices work energy efficient. Look for the A .
2. Pull the plug – switchig off is better than stand-by
In stand-by mode, power is still required. According to estimates, two German nuclear power plants are now only used for this useless consumption. And for you it incurs unnecessary costs. So you better pull the plug or, for multiple devices, use a multiple socket with power switch, there you can switch off all devices with just one button. That is pure energy saving!
By the way, computers also consume a lot of power, even when they are not even used. So you should switch those off, too.
Give your screens a break. Simply switch those off: the PC monitor, if you are at lunch, and your TV, if you go to bed. Because every device on stand-by draws electricity and costs your money. Also, unplug chargers after charging.
Talking about screens: Reduce the brightness of your computer screen. By that your screen will live longer and as a side effect you save energy. Also the brightness of many modern televisions is set too high. Reduce brightness so that you save power and also money..
3. The refrigerator is good in energy saving
Energy saving is particularly important for household appliances. When buying a new refrigerator, you should, for example, focus on the electricity consumption and the EU Energy Label such as: Minimum it should be A , A is of course better. When buying, the question arises of the size and necessity of a freezer compartment. A large freezer compartment costs more electricity and thus more money.
The refrigerator should be in a cool place and the cooling should not be set too low: per degree of lower cooling 4% more electricity is used. Food is best cooled at 6° to 7 ° C. For the freezer - which is best in the basement - a temperature of minus 18 ° C. Place refrigerator and freezer, where it is cooler: not next to rediators, cooker or dish washer.
Also, keep your refrigerator away from the wall, so that the cooler at the back can work well. Also, place only a small bits and pieces on the top of the refrigerator, so that the upward heat flow works well.
Since air is a very poor heat carrier, a full fridge consumes less power.
Energy saving with the refrigerator – a full fridge consumes less energy
Thaw your freezer compartment, or. your refrigerator regularly. This reduces the power consumption - by regular defrosting you can save about 15 to 45 % electricity.
Shoul you go on holiday, you should also leave your fridge a holiday: Defrost and switch off.
4. Use a gas stove
A gas stove consumes only about half of the primary energy compared to an electric stove. Gas generates heat directly, while the electricity is only obtained from other energy sources at great expense. By that, if the German electricity mix is used, only about half as much CO2 is released when cooking with gas. In this respect the use of a gas stove is already a considerable saving compared to an electric stove.
Gas heated faster than a stove
5. Each pot has its lid
Cooking with lid does not let the heat escape easily. It saves a third of the cooking energy, when using the lid. And: Always select the pot to match the size of the hot plate. As you see: Energy saving can be so very simple.
6. Alternatives for the stove
You do not have to use the stove for everything. Water heater, egg cooker and coffee machine consume round about 40 % less energy than an electric cooker. Only fill so much water into the water boiler, as is actually required. Otherwise, electricity cost and CO2 emission rise unnecessarily.
Coffee- and Espresso machines, using aluminium pads, Which is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging in the production process, should not be bought at all.
7. Energy saving in the laundry
If you possess a modern washing machine, protect your financial resources by using the available savings programs- and eco programs. Of course, only start the washing machine, when you can fill it to the top. Today's detergents make hot- and pre-washing unnecessary. Wash at 30° C or maximum 40° instead of 60° and dispense with the dryer. Your clothes like fresh air.
The eco-programs of your washing machine are pure energy saving – You should use them as often as possible. because this saves water, electricity and and it is good for your laundry. Only in the rarest cases a pre-wash is needed. Generaally, do not wash more often than necessary - sometimes it is enough, to air your clothes.
Treat individual stains with a stain spray before washing, then you can choose a resource-friendly washing program even with heavier soiling.
Energy saving for the tumble dryer:
Use wash programs, which complete with spinning. This drains the laundry and thus saves electricity of the tumble dryer and so protects the environment.
Evern better: Let your laundry dry in the summer on the balcony, the garden or the terrace in the air. This saves the entire electricity of the dryer.
The laundry dries very well outside and you save a lot of energy.
In winter, for the tumble dryer it is enough to use the program “iron dry”. But only use your tumble dryer, if it is really necessary and you can not wait any longer for the dry laundry.
8. A fully loaded dishwasher
Dishwashers are widespread kitchen utensils. And economical models even require less water, than doing the dishes by hand. So load the machine as full as possible, to reduce the number of dishwashing operations. Use the available savings program. Do not rinse the dishes beforehand.
The dishwasher also contributes to energy saving.
9. Good ventilation without tilting windows
Instead of tilting your windows for hours, you should do intensive-airing every 2 to 3 hours. That saves heating energy. When intensive-airing, a few minutes of completly opened windows will do, to replace the whole air in the room. Air about 3 to 5 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes each time. If the outside temperature is very low, you can reduce intensive-airing time a little.
By airing only a short period of time, a cooling of the room walls, the furniture and other objects in the room is prevented. Only the air in the room is cooled. Re-heating the air alone requires much less energy, than heating up cold walls and furniture.
Ideal is the so-called cross-ventilation – where you open windows at the opposite sides of the room copmpletely for a minimum of 5 minutes.
10. Waste into the bin – but correctly
Recycle the reusable materials, and throw them into the right waste bin:
- Paper into the paper bin – or put it into the paper collections of the local clubs that exist in some cities
- Old glass into the glass container
- Plastics in the yellow sack or bin.
- Metals belong to the recycling centre
- Residual waste into the normal house waste bin.
You ask yourself, why that is energy saving?? Recycling spares the environment in various aspects. Because it helps on one side, to avoid garbage dumps. On the other side, it reduces the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. And it also helps in energy saving. Because the energy, required to recycle a valuable substance, is usually only a fraction of the energy, required for the generation of a new product. Hence: We need more recycling. Not only from an ecological, but also from an economical point of view.
11. Saving electricity in the bathroom
The appliance, which consumes a lot of electricity in the bathroom, is the hairdryer. Avoid using it as often as possible. During summer your hair can also be dried by the warm air and the sun.
If you have an electric toothbrush with charging station, put the toothbrush only approx. once a week into the charger. Only a conventional toothbrush will then consume less power.
Many bathroom cabinets have halogen lamps. If you do not need the bright light, use the normal room lighting – Which is ideally equipped with energy saving lamps. It is best to replace the halogen lamps with the next defect by means of LED products. Those live longer, work much more efficiently and meanwhile they are available in all grocery stores, drugstores- and DIY stores.
Also, do not use a hot air heater, to get the moisture out of your bathroom. Here it is necessary, to ventilate properly, as described above.
Energy saving is also possible in the bathroom.
12. Heating low, doors closed
Before the winter one should bleed the readiators – as air in the radiators is a pure energy waster. It is also worthwhile, to adjust temperatures for each room individually. Each degree less saves about 5 – 10 % heating energy and as a result a lot of money. In adddition you will get a pleasant living environment free of charge. That is pure energy saving!
Here are some guidelines:
- Bedroom 16º to 18º C
- Kitchen 18º to 20º C
- Children's room 20º C
- Living room 20º to 22º C
- Bathroom 23º C.
And all the rooms should be properly ventilated: better intensive-airing, as described above, than tilting windows. Heating is the easiest way for energy saving.
13. Lights off
Rule of thumb number one is of course, to switch off all unnecessary lights. Why light rooms, in which there is no one?
Energy saving lamps if compared to a bulb save a faboulous 70 % electricity and operating cost, and above that about 80 % CO2 on the electricity generation. However, they are not in the best light as compared to the conventional light bulb, since they contain poisonous mercury and are therefore special waste. An LED lamp is, therefore, a good alternative. It is much more expensive, but that calculates soon due to the low energy consumption. In comparison you can save 85 % energy.
14. Plastic bag – no, thank you!
For the manufacture of plastic bags and packaging, just as for its disposol, energy is required and CO2 is emitted. Therefore it is advisable, to take a bag from home. And if it does not work otherwise, use the bag several times and pay attention to the right recycling afterwards!
In addition, you should avoid products, that are in some cases packaged up to three (!) times.
15. Reduce water usage
An eco shower head can half the water consumption, without you noticing it. That does not only reduce water cost, but also your energy cost.
An eco flush water container built into your toilette helps, to reduce water usage per use from 9 to 6 liters, if the eco button is pressed, the water usage is reduced even to 3 liters. Washing hands with cold water and turning off the tap during the washing have becoe classics of water-saving in the mean time.
Water saving with an eco shower head
16. Energy saving with a hybrid solar system
The greatest and most efficient saving is, when you generate electricity and heat yourself. With the help of the sun. The sun provides enough energy, to cover your heating and warm water requirements as well as electicitiy usage completly. This can save you enormous costs, which lead very quickly to the amortization of your hybrid solar system. And after the amortisation you start real saving. And on the other hand, you are doing something for the environment..
The CO2 emissions of houses are considerably larger, than you might think. To do something here is pure environmental protection and energy saving!
Did you know, that a family home with standaard gas heating blows approx.. 4,4 tons CO2 per annum into the air? And with an oil heating these are incredible 5,8 tons CO2 per annum. All that can be avoided. And with a hybrid (PVT) solar system you also save money. Contact us, we are pleased to support you. At no cost and without obligation. A hybrid solar system is pure energy saaving!
Hybrid (PVT) sun collectors on the roof