Energy conservation is an emotive subject that touches many areas of home improvement. Although our site presents many alternative options and eco-friendly ideas, the extent to which you lead an eco-friendly life, and what measures or changes you are prepared to make, will always come down to requirements in your area and personal choice.
Energy Efficiency
Being energy efficient means assessing your home and lifestyle for opportunities where you might save resources. Although some of the measures outlined in these pages may take some effort, for most, this will be outweighed by the rewards of a more eco-friendly and cost-effective lifestyle.
Using Thermostats
Thermostats play a vital part in regulating heating and air temperature throughout your home. Make sure that water- heating thermostats are not set too high. In addition to wasting energy, this is potentially dangerous in terms of scalding. Make sure that radiators are installed with thermostats so that their temperature is kept under control.
REDUCING POWER REQUIREMENTS
The demands of modern living require power to supply appliances, provide heat, and run all the consumer items that fill our homes. However, reducing the amount of power you use may not require a major lifestyle change. You can make a huge impact simply by being a little more careful about the items you buy, being aware of their power use, and finding ways of using less power in your home.
InsulationThe best way to reduce the power requirements of your home is to ensure that it is well insulated. Even in very large houses, an attic can be insulated quickly and at relatively low cost. Some states or municipalities even subsidize insulation projects. In fact, the reduction in heating costs that result from improved home insulation far outweigh the initial expense of installation. Right: Roof insulation -- Most houses lose a large proportion of their heat through the roof. Therefore, insulating your home’s roof space is a key measure to take.  |
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Energy-efficient appliancesMany product lines now have standardized labeling systems that denote how energy-efficient an appliance is, how much energy it consumes, and even how much noise it makes. This labeling has made it much easier for consumers to have some control when choosing products that are more efficient and therefore “greener.” Right: EU Energy Label: This label is a mandatory notice that is applied to all domestic appliances sold within European Union countries. It allows consumers to see clearly the efficiency and energy consumption of a product.  |
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US ENERGY STAR: Products with this label meet the US Department
of Energy’s strict efficiency guidelines. Australian Energy Rating: A star rating from one to six stars indicates energy- efficiency levels.  |
How Efficient are Modern Electrical Appliances?
Electrical power is rated in watts, and all electrical appliances will carry labels stating how many watts are required for them to run. If this is not the case, they may state volts and amps, and wattage can be worked out by multiplying the volts by the amps.
The table below gives an approximate guide to the amount of electricity (in watts per hour) that is used by common household appliances. Quite simply, the higher the figure, the larger the amount of energy the appliance uses.
Important note: Please keep in mind that there is embedded energy costs of building components (e.g. appliances and the raw materials used to construct them (steel, plastic , etc)). Bottom line: Repalce your appliance only if they are very old and/or break down frequently.
| Appliance |
Energy used (watts per hour) |
Notes |
| Electric clothes dryer | 4,000—6,000 | Very high consumption |
| Oven | 3,000—6,000 | In general, the larger the oven, the more energy it uses |
| Air-conditioning unit | 1,000—6,000 | Larger units use more energy |
| Electric space heater | 2,000—4,000 | Huge user when in constant use. Electrical storage heaters provide a more economical option |
| Immersion water heater | 2,000—4,000 | Make sure that its thermostat is working well and timing is controlled at efficient levels for household use |
| Fan heater | 2,000—3,000 | Use as a backup or emergency heating source, rather than on a daily basis |
| Electric tea kettle | 1,500—2,500 | Fast boilers use up more power |
| Stove | 1,000—2,000 | Rapid heating elements use more power |
| Iron | 1,000—1,500 | Try to limit ironing to only those items you consider essential |
| Computer system (PC) | 1,000—1,500 | Screen size in CRT monitors is important in determining power usage. Less of an issue with LCD. Choose "blank" screen as screen saver. In Wndows, use "Power" options (Advanced) to opt for hibernation mode. |
| Toaster | 1,000—1,500 | Choose one with an option to toast one slice |
| Dishwasher | 1,000—1,500 | ___ represents energy used per cycle |
| Hairdryer | 700—1,500 | Large variations in consumption are due to size differences |
| Microwave | 500-1,500 | Size is the determining factor here |
| Washing machine | 400—1,500 | ___ represents energy used per cycle |
| Refrigerator | 500—1,000 | Make sure you monitor and adjust the temperature level |
| Freezer | 500—1,000 | Defrost regularly, if necessary, to maintain efficiency |
| Vacuum cleaner | 200—1,000 | Make sure that filters are clean and it is working efficiently |
| Stereo system | 250—750 | Size of the system and speakers will affect consumption |
| Television | 50—400 | Screen size (and type: LCD, plasma, CRT, projection ,etc.) largely determines power use. Switch off completely when not in use |
| Video/DVD/Satellite receiver | 50—400 | As with televisions, switch off completely when not in use |
| Exhaust fan (oven) | 100—200 | Use will depend on size, but essential for removing fumes |
| Heated towel bar | 100—200 | Keep on a timer so it is not in constant use |
| Exhaust fan (bathroom) | 20—200 | Use a timer linked to the light switch to prevent overuse |
| Regular light bulb | 40—1 50 | The brighter they are, the more power they use |
| Low-energy light bulb (compact fluorescent) | 10—20 | More expensive than standard bulbs, but require less power for the same amount of light produced |
| Fluorescent tube | 10—20 | Provide good, even light at reduced power requirement levels compared to standard bulbs |