Electricity is a resource used in all spheres of civilization. The price per kilowatt-hour is constantly rising, and the need to reduce consumption is becoming more acute. Energy saving implies rational consumption of electricity, includes a range of solutions: scientific, organizational, legal, economic and technical.
Saving electricity is not only a financial problem, but also an important environmental challenge. The world's energy reserves are gradually depleted, nature suffers in the process of production: the environment is polluted by emissions of combustion products. Therefore, saving energy is a measure that can minimize the negative impact on the environment and save money.
Where do kilowatts go and how to reduce consumption
Almost no one thinks about the fact that the charger left in the network continues to operate at idle. Available for all power supplies, switching and transformer. Consumption depends on the power of the device. The amount of electricity consumed in one year can be surprising.
In addition, modern appliances are equipped with displays, indicators, such as a microwave clock or a flashing stereo LED. They also consume energy. The solution is to disconnect the memory, household appliances with periodic use from the network.
The most "greedy" appliances
Top 10 household appliances with the highest energy consumption that every home has:
- Refrigerator. Consumes about 40-60 kW per month. To reduce these numbers, you need to open the doors less often.
- Laundry. Consumption 40-50 kW, the exact figure depends on the frequency of washing, the modes used.
- Computer. 35-40 kW. Most users turn it off only at night.
- Electric kettle. It consumes a record amount of energy in 1 hour, 28-30 kW come out in a month.
- Hair dryer. 25 kW for daily use.
- Dishwasher. 22-25 kW, depending on the power of the device, the number of operating hours.
- Microwave. Consumes 16-20 kW per month if used 3 times a day, plus 2-3 hours per week for defrosting food.
- TV. 13 kW during working hours - up to 5 hours a day. Standby instead of turning off increases this figure.
- Vacuum cleaner and coffee machine. They consume the same amount of electricity - 10-12 kW, if the number of active hours does not exceed 2 per week.
- Iron. In moderate use - 7-8 kW.
In order not to be upset every time you receive an electricity bill, household appliances should first be selected according to needs. Buying a professional high-power vacuum cleaner for a small apartment is not practical, just like a 10 kg washing machine for a family of two.
Each device has an energy saving class, you need to take the time to research the features before you buy.
Does standby help save equipment?
Manufacturers claim that the power consumption of household appliances in hibernation mode is minimized. This statement is partly true: consumption has been significantly reduced. However, there are specific figures that call into question the actual savings.
It has been empirically confirmed that a 50 cm TV consumes 9 kW per month in sleep mode, stereo system - 7-8 kW, video player - 4-5 kW. If we add to this list a computer, a microwave oven with the display always on, chargers forgotten in the sockets, and other appliances, then the total consumption reaches 370-420 kW per year.
This proves that for real savings it is still worth disconnecting the equipment from the network.
How to save electricity? A good counter is an effective way
In all apartments, houses, industrial facilities is installed equipment for metering electricity consumption. In addition to its direct purpose - fixing indicators, this device helps to save significantly.
Modern electronic meters support a multi-tariff function, where you can plan energy-intensive tasks for hours when the price per kilowatt is reduced. Supply companies have introduced tariff allocations to reduce network congestion during peak hours, attracting subscribers to use electricity at less busy times.
There are the following periods, which differ in unit price:
- T1 - during the day: from 7 to 23 hours. Charging is standard.
- T2 - night phase: from 11 pm to 7 am. The lowest price per kilowatt.
- T3 - peak period: in the morning - up to 10 hours, in the evening - from 20 to 23 hours. Increased unit price.
At night the price of electricity is reduced by up to 70%. Many consumers put household appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, in "delayed start" mode. The devices automatically start working at the specified time and consume a resource that is paid for at a reduced rate.
To reduce energy consumption, you do not need to sacrifice comfort, it is enough to buy a multi-tariff electronic meter, which will save savings simply and efficiently.