Saving electricity should be based not only on choosing a low-cost service provider, but also on identifying and disconnecting devices that consume electricity when not in use. This will put extra money in your wallet. What household accessories generate the highest costs?
Even before we go looking for “energy parasites” in the house, it is important to find out what devices should be purchased. Key information can be found on energy consumption labels, which are used throughout the European Union.
Looking at the back of consumer electronics/appliances, or reading the instruction manual, you’ll notice markings such as G, or A. The former, is most commonly used for washing machines, dryers and dishwashers, which require the most energy to operate. A, on the other hand, is assigned for appliances that draw the least amount of electricity.
HVAC systems consume the most energy of all individual appliances and systems. During 24 hours of operation, one system can consume as much as 28 to 63 kWh, which amounts to 850 to 1950 kWh per month.
To counteract this, heating and cooling systems should be used only during the hottest or coldest parts of the day. In the first case, this would be between 12 and 4 pm. While in the second during the morning and evening hours.
A refrigerator consumes up to 162 kWh per month. Here, of course, you can’t use on/off switching to reduce power consumption. However, it’s worth checking what temperature the manufacturer recommends – sometimes the temperature is set lower than recommended. You should also regularly clean the inside of the appliance to maintain adequate air circulation and cooling.
The washer and dryer together consume up to 3045 watts. To reduce the demand for electricity, you can pay attention to wash only when the dirty things fully occupy the drum chamber. If you don’t need it, it’s also a good idea to set the temperature to low rather than high. In the case of a dryer, it’s a good idea to consider buying a clothes rack, which will completely eliminate the need to remove moisture from clothes with a separate electric appliance.
Using the aforementioned appliances for an average of an hour a day, on medium-high heat, will generate consumption, respectively, of 75 kWh and 45 kWh per month. This is an additional consideration worth paying attention to. Using an electric oven and stove can provide some support for the home heating system.
To use the equipment efficiently, you can cook during colder times of the day, for example, in the morning, preparing meals already for the day, or doing the same in the evening. You can also consider buying a microwave or a toaster oven, which consume less energy.
Lighting in the home consumes a significant amount of electricity, especially when the lights are on all day. The first step to reduce energy consumption is to use LED bulbs. The second, connecting the lighting system, where possible, to smart home software that allows you to check the status of the system’s operation and turn off individual components.
When it comes to electronic devices and the chargers attached to them, it is crucial to switch off already charged accessories from the power source – this includes charging equipment. A TV, radio or computer, on the other hand, should be unplugged after use.
main photo: unsplash.com/Sidekix Media
