Electricity is a resource used in all spheres of civilization. The price of the kilowatt-hour is constantly increasing and the need to reduce consumption is becoming more pressing. Energy saving implies a rational consumption of electricity, it includes a whole range of solutions: scientific, organizational, legal, economic and technical.
Saving electricity is not just a financial issue, but also an important environmental challenge. The world's energy reserves are gradually depleted, nature suffers in the production process: the environment is polluted by emissions from the products of fuel combustion. Therefore, energy saving is a measure that can minimize the negative impact on the environment and save money.
Where kilowatts flow and how to reduce consumption
Almost no one thinks about the fact that the charger left on the network continues to work in idle mode. It is available for all power, pulse and transformer sources. Consumption depends on device power. The amount of electricity wasted in a year can be staggering.
In addition, modern appliances are equipped with displays, indicators, for example, a clock on a microwave oven or a flashing LED on a stereo system. They also consume energy. The solution is to disconnect memory, periodic-use appliances from the network.
The most "greedy" electrical appliances
The 10 appliances that consume the most energy in every home:
- Fridge. It consumes about 40-60 kW per month. To reduce these numbers, you need to open ports less often.
- Washing machine. Consumption 40-50 kW, the exact value depends on the washing frequency, the modes used.
- Computer. 35-40 kW. Most users only turn it off at night.
- Electric kettle. It consumes a record amount of energy in 1 hour, 28-30 kW comes out in a month.
- Hair dryer. 25 kW in daily use.
- Dishwasher. 22-25 kW, depending on the power of the device, the number of hours of operation.
- microwave. Consumes 16-20 kW per month if used 3 times a day plus 2-3 hours a week for defrosting food.
- Television. 13 kW during working hours - up to 5 hours a day. Standby mode instead of shutting down increases this number.
- Vacuum cleaner and coffee maker. They use the same amount of electricity - 10-12 kW, if the number of active hours does not exceed 2 per week.
- Iron. With moderate use - 7-8 kW.
In order not to get upset every time you receive a light bill, appliances should be chosen initially based on needs. Buying a professional high powered vacuum cleaner for a small apartment is not practical, as is a 10 kg washing machine for a family of two.
Each device has a power saving class, you should take the time to study the features before purchasing.
Does standby mode help save equipment?
Manufacturers claim that the electricity consumption of home appliances in sleep mode is minimized. This statement is partially true: consumption is significantly reduced. However, there are specific numbers that cast doubt on the real savings.
It was empirically found that a TV with a diagonal of 50 cm spends 9 kW per month in sleep mode, a stereo system - 7-8 kW, a video player - 4-5 kW. If we add to this list a computer, a microwave oven with an always-on display, chargers left in the sockets and other appliances, the total consumption reaches 370-420 kW per year.
This proves that, for real savings, it is still worth disconnecting equipment from the network.
How to save electricity? A good accountant is an effective way
Equipment for accounting for electricity consumption is installed in all apartments, houses, industrial premises. In addition to its direct purpose - fixing indicators, this device helps to significantly save money.
Modern electronic meters support a multi-tariff function, where you can schedule energy-intensive tasks for hours when the cost per kilowatt is reduced. Supply companies have introduced tariff distribution with the aim of reducing the load on the grid at peak times, enticing subscribers to use electricity at off-peak times.
There are the following periods, differing in unit cost:
- T1 - daytime: from 7 am to 11 pm. Pricing is standard.
- T2 - night phase: from 11 pm to 7 am. Lowest price per kilowatt.
- T3 - peak period: in the morning - until 10 am, in the evening - from 8 pm to 11 pm. Increase in unit cost.
At night, the price of electricity is reduced by up to 70%. Many users put household appliances, for example washing machines and dishwashers, in "delayed start" mode. Devices start working automatically at the specified time and consume a resource that is paid for at a reduced rate.
To reduce energy consumption, there is no need to sacrifice comfort, just buy a multi-tariff electronic meter, with which savings will be simple and effective.