Using Energy More Efficiently for Cost Cutting

Energy is lost from a household through static as well as dynamic processes. Both human neglect and ignorance too are possible contributors. Educating the end users why it is necessary to use energy more efficiently, how each individual can contribute towards this goal, when and where it can be implemented are some factors to be addressed for efficient energy usage.

Identify your energy thieves!

Energy is wasted only where it is used.

• Primarily your buildings construction and envelope is responsible for a good amount of energy lost without even your realizing it.
• Secondarily the usage of various equipment and utensils that need electrical energy and fossil fuels for their operation.

Can these be managed?

You generally worry over about energy efficiency only when you realize your earnings are wasted away through your energy bills. The fact is, energy lost through the building's constructional features could (or should) have been handled at the design stage itself easily. Now if it is too late for that there are other ways to improve the situation where a retrofit (including the lighting system and heating system) may be your answer.

On the other hand the various appliances, equipment and utensils that consumes energy if of any vintage definitely waste energy. Come to think of it, ten years ago energy conservation was only of academic interest to many. This is how you may be wasting your home energy through equipment and appliances;

• Age -deterioration of the system components causing fuel or energy wastage
• Out dated designs- where newer energy saving technology is not incorporated.
• Inconsiderate usage- for example using TVs and Audio Equipment for long periods even when no one is enjoying it.

Keep in mind your home appliances and lights including the refrigerator (but excluding the space and water heating system) consume 23 %-35% of the total energy consumed irrespective whether the building shell is very good as far as energy conservation is concerned.

Ensuring minimum energy loss through Building Shell

This brings out another important factor. Your home energy is spending mainly on Space and water heating. As percentage it is about 65 % to 77% of the total consumption. Here lies the catch. Even a smaller portion of this huge chunk will amount to a substantial amount. The building shell energy loss is therefore THE place that will need more attention to start your home energy management.

Ensuring minimum energy loss through Equipment and appliances

In reality this is the easiest to manage being a matter of your state of mind. How ever much your appliances efficient are what really matter is how you use it. The right mind set is what is ultimately going to bring in good results .It is a good idea to audit how you use appliances and optimize the usage.

Another matter the audit should cover is whether the settings of your appliances (for example the refrigerator, deep freezer, the flame of cookers, illumination levels etc), are right for your needs.

A matter that cannot be over emphasized in this scenario is the importance of maintenance. If for example your refrigerator's defrost system is malfunctioning, or your CFL lamps are covered in dust or the cooker burners are caked in carbon and so on what conservation can you expect? There are many others like that which only your right mind set (most will not cost you a penny to implement) is necessary to bring about a significant improvement. <

About the Author:

John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology realated subjects. For more information about John visit his website www.techstore.ie.