Consumers are driven by rising energy prices and environmental considerations to save electricity. Consumers may perceive the environment as a fad or a scam, but if this becomes an additional expense, then it must be kept in mind.
Of course, energy will not go anywhere, its consumption will increase, the number of sources will increase and the most harmful ones will be replaced. Savings do not mean limitation, but prudent use. You can economically spend a hundred kilowatts and lose a hundred watts.
Saving electricity is achieved through a reasonable (not disorderly) organization of its use, it is the result of planning activities. And the charlatan devices and "methods" advertised on the Internet sometimes have nothing to do with saving. These methods can only cause fire and electric shock.
Energy consumers are declining
All electricity consumers can be classified in some way according to the amount of energy consumed (energy intensity). For example, in descending order:
- Heating devices;
- lighting devices;
- Electric motors;
- computer science;
- Radio electronic equipment and communication devices.
Even at the household level, this classification is justified: most of the electricity is consumed by kettles, stoves of various types - grills, toasters, electric stoves, then irons, dryers. A lot of energy is spent on lighting. Lighting competes with refrigerators (compressor motor).
An ordinary home computer also consumes a lot, it is quite a competitor to the refrigerator. Against this background, television, security and fire alarms and mobile communication chargers consume the least.
Converting electricity to heat is the most noticeable result that can be obtained, but it is also obtained with full efficiency. if such conversion is required. The efficiency of the iron is almost 100%. For light sources, things are much worse - even with LED lamps, the efficiency is close to only 15% (close to 100% can be said only about the quantum phenomena in a semiconductor crystal of LEDs, the rest goes to heating wires and losses inadditional equipment: drivers).
Heater savings
How to save energy without denying the benefits of civilization? Since, as we can see, heaters "take electricity" mostly, this is the most important resource for saving. For them, the methods of saving energy in everyday life are indirect, but no less important. First of all, the heat must be fully used. For example, it is extremely unwise to boil water in a metal tank in a cold room that does not need to be heated. It is better to do this where the heat will spread through the living space.
The received heat should be kept completely and as long as possible due to the good thermal insulation of the premises. In European countries, such as Germany, they are even fined for poor isolation.
With multi-tariff payment for energy and the possibility of heat storage, the most appropriate will be the night mode of operation of boilers and other heating devices. During the day the heat will remain at a sufficient level. This is especially useful if residents are at work or studying during the day. In addition, by consuming energy at night, consumers equalize the load on the electrical network, which has a positive effect on its serviceability and operating costs. And this allows us to hope for lower prices.
Lighting savings
Let's start with a reminder to remember to turn off the lights where they are not needed. And think correctly about the location of light sources (preferably with the help of professionals in this matter) in all rooms, even if they are auxiliary rooms. Then we turn to the light sources that exist in our time.
First of all, it should be noted that we live in a fertile time of rejecting incandescent incandescent lamps that heat more than they glow. The widespread use of fluorescent light sources (daylight) gives very significant energy savings, two to three times.
Fluorescent lamps, made in the form of 40 and 80 W tubes, have been widespread before (since the 1970s), but mainly in public and industrial buildings.
Modern "energy-saving" household fluorescent lamps in the base E27 are the same tubes with mercury vapor and phosphorus from the inner surface of the glass. But they are twisted in a circular spiral and are connected by a miniature electronic ballast located at the base and performing the same functions as the iron throttle and the gas-discharge starter previously performed.
But fluorescent lamps are already being replaced by LED lamps, which consume two to three times less energy than fluorescent lamps with the same luminous flux. They are still slightly more expensive than other types of lamps, but the market is not yet saturated with new products. The costs pay off quickly due to the significant savings from their use.
Both fluorescent and LED bulbs have a very wide range that comes close to daylight. This is due to the use of an ultraviolet primary source in both cases - LED lamps also use luminescence and ultraviolet light becomes a mixture of all colors of visible light. Only in LED lamps is ultraviolet light generated not by mercury vapor atoms but by a semiconductor crystal.
Additional ways to save energy when solving lighting problems are to turn on and off. Man is forgetful, but technique is not. The use of dimmers (brightness control devices), photorelays, timers and motion sensors will minimize unnecessary light costs.
All of these products are in stores, sold with warranties, certificates and instructions, and have long ceased to be exclusive crafts available only to skilled radio amateurs who have made them for their home.
Electric motors
Electric motors are found in everyday life mainly in refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners. There are also pumps for heating systems and pumps for wells. All other cases: coffee grinders, drills and so on do not deserve attention, as they are rarely and briefly included.
The reduction of energy consumption in case of continuous operation of electric motors is achieved either by their periodic shutdown (refrigerators and air conditioners), or by using frequency converters for induction motors.
The latter are sometimes used to control the motors of pumps for water supply and heating systems. Since the operation of electric motors is usually associated with heat (cold), the saving measures come down to the fact that there are fewer reasons to turn on the motors: keep the doors, vents, refrigerator doors and freezers closed.
The power consumed by electric motors in everyday life is relatively small - about a few hundred or even tens of watts, you can ignore the notorious "cosine phi" here, as the household consumer does not pay for reactive energy.
However, asynchronous motors have one characteristic: high starting current, 5-7 times higher than the nominal one. This suggests that the less frequently such engines are started, the better and justifies the use of frequency drives when they are acceptable (the case of refrigerators, in particular air conditioners, is not the case). And don't put hot pots in the fridge.
Electric motors used in household appliances can be classified by power and duty cycle (part of duty time) as follows:
- Refrigerators, air conditioners (150–450 W, 20–50%);
- Heat pumps (60–200 W, 40–100%);
- Kitchen appliances (50-500 W, short term);
- Fans (10-30 W, up to 100%).
Submersible drainage sump pumps are rarely used and have significant power. They are used in individual houses and villas for wealthy owners. But even there, economic issues are not the last issue. Therefore, the operation of the pumps in such systems is optimized by hydraulic accumulators, frequency converters and controllers that control the operation of the water supply. Everything happens automatically.
Computers, chargers for TVs and phones
Computer games can wind the counters well not only because of the fast processor, but also because of the powerful video card that works 20 hours a day (playing time flies fast, and as a student you may not notice how retirement is approaching). . . Some people also use video cards to make money.
A typical office computer in quiet mode consumes about 200 W, laptop - 40-60 W. This is comparable to a TV and is not so important. However, it does not prevent you from controlling the power supply of such devices, especially since such capabilities have long been provided in modern intelligent electronics.
As for chargers for telephones and other mobile devices, they can be powered by "alternative" energy sources: solar panels and small wind turbines powered by suitable converters (including, of course, 5, 12 and 20). VDCThe latter can be used to charge laptops. )
Alternative sources in everyday life are not yet widespread, their capacity is very modest and the price is high. However, one has to start somewhere and the tips for saving energy in everyday life should take this into account a little.