Ways To Save Energy

Ways To Save Energy In The Office – Flex Alerts

Energy-saving was formalized by the State of California, which now issues Flex Alerts. These are calls for businesses, residents, and government to voluntarily minimize their use of electricity and prevent Stage 1 Electrical Emergencies, which can occur when demand for electricity is at its peak. This can take place during the hottest of weather, when there is an unscheduled generation outage, or when there are overloads or other abnormalities of transmission lines.

At Home

If a Flex Alert is issued, people should deactivate any unnecessary appliances, which are often computers or lights. Use of major appliances should be postponed to after 7 p.m, and equipment should not be left on overnight. Devices should be unplugged rather than merely switched off, or they will consume energy constantly. Air conditioning should be turned down to no more than 78° F.

Residents can save energy in a number of ways. Standard incandescent light bulbs can be replaced with compact, fluorescent ones, which reduces lighting costs by 75 percent. Residents can unplug such equipment as battery chargers when they are not in use: altogether, these can consume as much power as a refrigerator.

The installation of faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads will halve the cost of water heating, which saves as much as $300 a year. Water use will also be cut, possibly saving 50 percent of this cost. In the case of California, transporting and treating water uses anything up to 19 percent of all electricity.

Other Energy-Saving Measures

ENERGY STAR-rated appliances are up to 40 percent more energy-efficient. Air conditioning costs can be lessened by making use of fans and keeping shades shut in day-time. Ceiling fans tend to use less energy than a light bulb. Power management should be enabled on all computers. Laptops use as much as 90 percent less electricity than larger desktops. Clothes should be washed in the coldest water possible.

Dishwashers and washing machines should only be operated fully-laden. The vents of clothes dryers should be kept free, and filters cleaned after each load. The newest models have a moisture sensor which automatically stops the machine when clothes are dry.

Insulation

Sealing all leaks in pipes and adding insulation could save as much as 20 percent of the cost of heating and cooling a home. Air leaks can be detected by holding a burning incense stick close to attic hatches, ceiling fixtures, electrical outlets, plumbing fixtures, electrical boxes, doors, and windows & anywhere where air could possibly pass.

This can reduce an energy bill by as much as ten percent. Weather-stripping of doors and windows will reduce drafts. Caulking of openings in walls reduces air leakage. The first place to start is the attic.

Business

A report produced by Collaborative Economics, which works with senior executives from businesses, non-profit organizations, and government, found that 35 percent of all electricity is used by businesses. While the measure available to residents should be enacted, others exist.

If natural light is maximized and unnecessary office lights and unused equipment such as coffee makers, fax machines, computers, and printers are switched off, businesses can make a major reduction to their use of electricity.

Businesses can keep doors and windows closed to preserve cooled air. People should dress appropriately for the weather. Layers of clothing should always be adjusted before the thermostat.

Some measures can be adopted by larger establishments. Janitorial personnel should clean only one floor at a time, leaving the lights elsewhere switched off. Unused areas can be sealed.

Using Light Emitting Diodes on exit signs or in other places can use from 80 to 95 percent less electricity and last 10 to 20 times longer than incandescent signs. Maintenance of mechanical equipment and buildings should be regular.

Conclusion

While this advice was given in California, it would save electricity anywhere in the world.