By using energy efficiently at home, we are taking part in collective action across the country.
Heating and hot water are the largest items on household energy bills, and this is where a few simple steps can save us money. Saving energy is about making slight changes to our day-to-day routines, and sometimes investing in small appliances that make life easier. It is all in those details we often overlook, like unplugging devices we are not using during the day. A TV uses up energy even when left in standby mode. Leaving the Wi-Fi on when we are away consumes electricity for no good reason. Here is a tip: connect these devices to a power strip with a switch, so that they can be turned off easily, or add a built-in timer.
When it comes to heating, lowering the thermostat by just one degree can cut our bill by 6%. Turning off the heating and closing the door to rooms we are not using heats less space: that’s another 6% saved. When fitted with a programmable digital thermostat, a radiator will only heat up when you need it to. This small initial outlay can result in big savings. When we are in the bathroom, 22-23°C or thereabouts is a comfortable temperature, but we don’t generally spend much time there. That’s why it is a good idea to use a programmable thermostat. In the bedroom, a temperature of 16-17°C is recommended for a good night’s sleep. In the living room, 19-20°C should be warm enough. If you are still feeling chilly, putting on a sweater makes more sense than raising the overall room temperature.
For maximum efficiency, radiators should not be covered or have furniture in front of them. Make sure your heating system is regularly checked by a professional. Radiators should be bled from time to time to remove air from the system: this helps heat to circulate better and can lead to savings of around 1.5% a year.
Cooking, refrigeration and freezing mean we consume a good deal of energy in the kitchen. Here, the smallest actions have the biggest impact. Use an electric kettle to boil water: they consume less energy and heat up faster. Only boil as much water as you need each time. To reheat a meal or cook certain foods, make a habit of using the microwave. It uses less energy than cooking with electricity or gas. As for the oven, some appliances allow us to cook several dishes at the same time. You can also switch the oven off about ten minutes before the end of the recommended cooking time and finish cooking with the residual heat. Preheating the oven is rarely necessary. And the dishwasher? It is child’s play: just like a game of Tetris, stack up as many dishes as you can so that it is completely full before starting a cycle.
When it comes to keeping things cold, refrigerators and freezers need to be defrosted regularly to be fully efficient. In the kitchen and bathroom there is no need to turn the taps all the way on or use hot water for everything. Turning the tap off while washing your hands or brushing your teeth saves water. Water is a precious commodity too! Swap your baths for showers. Baths not only consume 70% more water: they also use more hot water, which means more energy. Lastly, now is a good time to get into the habit of spending less time in the shower.
Airing out your home helps to maintain a healthy environment. In cold weather, it is best to open the windows more often for a few minutes at a time. Leaving the windows open, ajar, or just tilted for a long time lowers the room temperature too much. It then takes more energy to get the room back to a nice temperature. Creating air flow by opening a window on the opposite side of the room is also more effective and means ventilation time can be cut down even more. Five minutes is all it takes to refresh the air indoors. Of course, when airing out your home, don’t forget to turn the heating off.
Ready to meet these challenges and be part of a wider social initiative? Let’s save energy now!
Visit lets-save-energy.lu for more tips from Enovos
