Efficient use of Electricity

In Lighting

• For exterior lighting it is best to use florescent lamps because of their long life. In cold climate areas use a lamp with cold-weather ballast
• Turn off lights that are not needed, like in unused rooms
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with new, energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.
• Replace all bulbs with lowest acceptable wattages
• Use timers or motion detectors on lamps that are used for security lighting
• Use natural daylight as much as possible
• Try to use one large bulb rather than several smaller ones
• Clean light bulbs regularly, since dirt diffuses light and decreases illumination

In Heating

The third highest use of indoor water is bathing, and because most of us like to use warm water when we bathe, it's also the second highest use of energy in the home.

Use solar water heaters instead of electric heaters to save energy. In a typical household of 5 persons, if an electric heater is used to heat about 200 litres of water bathing, it amounts to using about 3400 units of electricity per year. Assuming the electricity is generated by a typical thermal power plant with an efficiency of around 30 percent, it means that the average electric water heater is responsible for about 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually which is almost equal to that produced by a modern automobile.



In Cooling

• Keep your AC’s thermostat set at 26 degree Celsius; or higher, and on "auto,"not "on." Each degree of less cooling can mean up to 9% savings on cooling costs.
• If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it as it could be doubling your cooling costs
• Use ceiling fans to circulate air. They use only as much electricity as a light bulb and can make you feel comfortable at higher thermostat settings. Also, do not forget to turn fans off when you leave the room
• Clean or replace the filter of your AC monthly so that the AC runs efficiently
• Plan in advance. Schedule heat-producing activities like laundry, ironing, and cooking at cooler times of day when possible
• Turn off lights when not needed, especially incandescent and halogen types
• Be aware of temperatures! If it's cooler inside than outside, then close all windows and drapes. If it's cooler outside, open everything up to ventilate and let the outside air cool your house
• Use drapes, shades, awnings and reflective materials to reduce the heat entering through glass
• Use room exhaust fans in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom to pull hot, humid air up and out
• Apply weather stripping and caulking around all doors and windows to keep the chilled air inside your house
• Install a setback thermostat (Clock thermostat) that automatically switches your air conditioner to a higher cooling setting while you are away

In Cooking

• Use your microwave oven in place of your range oven whenever possible
• When you have to use your oven, cook more than one item at a time
• Use flat-bottom pans for best contact with the heat, with tight-fitting lids to keep the steam in the pan
• Adjust the flame so that it covers only the bottom area of the vessel and not protrude beyond to the sides
• Use smaller amounts of water for cooking; use the lowest possible heat to maintain boiling or steaming
• Preheat oven only 5 to 8 minutes when baking; do not preheat oven for broiling or roasting
• Self-cleaning ovens have thicker insulation and will retain heat, making these models more energy-efficient than regular ovens
• Use the self-cleaning feature on your oven only when absolutely needed
• Pressure cookers use much less energy than ordinary pots and pans
• Use small cooking appliances (electric fry pans, toaster ovens, etc.) whenever possible

In Refrigeration / Freezing

• Keep your refrigerator temperature at 3 or 4 degree Celsius
• Set your freezer temperature at -12 degree Celsius
• Defrost your freezer when ice or frost build up is 1/4" or thicker.
• Check your refrigerator/freezer door gasket periodically for signs of deterioration.
• Vacuum or brush the cooling coils (in back) at least every six months.
• Allow hot food to cool for no longer than a half hour before placing in refrigerator.