With the current hike in electricity tariff across the nation, it has become necessary to find ways to conserve energy in our homes, workspaces and business premises. In this article, I have highlighted a few simple ways to keep your consumption as low as possible by practicing energy-efficient habits.
- Washing machines, electric kettles, water heaters and electric cookers are the highest consumers of electricity in our homes. It takes about 29 minutes to consume a unit’s (1kWH) worth of electricity while washing and drying with your washing machine. And a typical wash and dry may last for about four hours. It is, therefore, important to plan your laundry. Also, it takes only about 13 minutes to consume a unit (1kWH) worth of electricity while using your four-plates electric cooker. Hence, it is cheaper to cook with a gas cooker than using an electric cooker. You may need to replace your electric cooker with a gas cooker, or at least get a tabletop gas cooker for bulk cooking. It is cheaper to heat your water on your gas cooker than using the electric kettle or water heater.
- The need for natural ventilation cannot be overemphasized. Aside from conserving energy by taking advantage of natural airflow, it has health benefits as well. It is important to completely air your living spaces periodically, so as to improve the quality of air within your home, by opening windows and doors to allow cool breeze circulate throughout your home. Natural ventilation reduces the need for air conditioning. A 1.5HP air conditioner takes about 54 minutes to consume a unit’s (1kWH) worth of electricity. If you must use an air conditioner, make sure to get energy-efficient air conditioning units or systems that have Energy Efficiency Rate (EER) ratings specifically designed for hot and humid climates such as Nigeria. It is important to properly size and maintain your cooling equipment to ensure optimal performance and energy savings. Plant trees and shrubs around your home to provide natural shades and reduce solar heat gain through windows and roofs. Install exterior shading devices to block direct sunlight and reduce the demand for air conditioning.
- Use energy-efficient lighting for your home and workspaces. Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs, which consume less energy and produce less heat. Install motion sensors in spaces like bathrooms, stores, stair halls and corridors to automatedly turn off light within those spaces when not in use. Make use of natural daylight as much as possible, upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and replace old or inefficient appliances with energy-efficient models that bear the Energy Star label. Look for appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and water heaters that consume less energy while performing the same tasks.
- Install inverters and solar systems if you can. Power your home with your solar system when there is sufficient sunlight, and return to the national grid in the evenings. This will help you reduce your electricity bill by almost 50%. The use of inverters and solar systems also helps in reducing the use of generator sets and proves to be a more sustainable way of living and enhancing a green environment.
“Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It is about doing more good.” – Jochen Zeitz