Conserving energy does not always mean sacrificing comfort
By Pamela Okutoyi
The world is warming at an alarming rate. Human population is growing and houses are getting bigger. The result: A staggering demand for air conditioning, lighting and heating units.
We all agree that we cannot do without electricity. It takes energy to cook our food, heat our homes and get from one place to another. The big question is; How can we use this energy efficiently without wasting it?
It sounds so easy on paper.
Taking steps to reduce overall energy usage is actually hard, because we are human. But not impossible!
Most of us assume that embracing clean energy technologies is the final answer. Energy conservation is just as important, regardless of what technology you are using.
The less energy we use the less we have to generate and the more resources we conserve.
Did you know that the fewer the installation in your house the lesser your carbon footprint?
If not, stay with me to find out.
What options do we have when it comes to light bulbs? Many!
photo courtesy
If you have found yourself in the market for new light bulbs recently, you have likely faced what seems like infinite options. Innovation has brought us all kinds of light technology.
From light bulbs designed to react to motion, sound (yep) to those that fight off bacteria (hooah! this is a real thing).
What used to be a simple source of light, as my physics teacher taught me, has continued to evolve over time.
If you just need a bulb for your bathroom or bedside lamp how do you know that you are making the right choice? Which bulbs are designed to be better for the environment and to help us cut back our electricity bills?
Here are three most popular bulbs that I have personally used.
Incandescent light bulbs
photo courtesy
We literally grew up with these bulbs it was hard letting go. If you recall, they did not last for long however, they were extremely bright and we love brightness.
These have been super handy in the last dozens of decades, they have served their purpose and completed the race. Now it’s time we put them to bed.
Guessing you already know WHY. They are not very energy-efficient. Cheap they may be but very is expensive to live with.
Who wants to keep buying bulbs every week anyway?
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
The spiral kind of bulbs that replaced the old fashioned ones? CFLs are simply the curly versions of the long tube fluorescent that you may already have in your kitchen.
They use less electricity than the traditional incandescent.
They aren’t that cheap but I didn't say we can't afford them! In the long run, they save you money.
You will not have to buy a new bulb each month.
They also come in a range of colors from light to warm (white and yellow).
Some are encased in a cover to further diffuse the light. Very good if you looking for a dimmable bulb.
What's more is that they can be recycled. Check with your local store if you can return the bulb at the end of its lifespan.
Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
Technically, LED bulbs aren't bulbs. They are tiny semiconductors (diodes) wrapped in plastic to protect the elements and focus light. LED do not have wire filaments like a light bulb does.
Current comes into an anode (+) and flows out of a cathode (-). LEDs contain electrons that flow to create photons - the light we see.
They generate almost no heat and require much less energy to create the same amount of brightness as incandescent lights and last much longer.
Here is the jackpot, a bright LED lamp uses only 11 to 12 watts while creating a light output comparable to a 50-watt incandescent bulb.
The downside however, the initial cost of an LED is almost double of the regular bulb. But the cost is coming down.
An average home has around 10 light bulbs, imagine replacing those with LED. It saves money and are much more efficient. Just remember to turn them off when not in use!
Slay the Energy Vampires
Have you ever had the experience of having life sucked out of you by spending time with a particular person?
Vampire appliances use electricity even when they are off by going into standby mode. Research has shown that, vampire appliances account for 10 percent of energy used in an average home.
Am talking about:
Computers and computer related equipment (modems, routers); Instant-on TVs (LED, LCD, and rear projection); Surround sound systems; Cable or satellite TV boxes; Household items with clock (microwave, DVD players etc)
How to identify energy vampires?
An external source
A remote control
A continuous display
Charges batteries
How can we stop energy vampires?
Turn stuff off––and unplug energy vampires
The TV, for example. Why have it on if no one is watching?
Unplug appliances and electronics, especially phone chargers and video game systems when not in use. Even when you turn them off, they still use electricity. So unplug them or plug them into a power strip and turn them off when you’re not using them.
Turn off routers, printers and other peripheral computer equipment when not in use.
And fans. They help keep us cool. But only when someone’s in the same room. They don’t help pets keep cool, either. So turn them off when no one is in the room.
Don’t preheat the oven
Nearly every recipe, or the instructions on frozen foods that go in the oven, will tell you to preheat the oven. It’s a waste of time and money. Set it for the right temperature and put the food in it. Set a timer to tell you when it’s finished. If the recipe gives a range of times, set it at the high end. And when the timer goes off, it’s done. And don’t forget to turn it off! You accomplish nothing by waiting for it to heat up.
Unless you’re baking pastries. Sometimes, preheating matters more than energy efficiency.
Don’t use quicker shipping
It’s not just the energy we use at home that we need to conserve. We can too easily waste the energy we cause others to use.
Whether to shop in a store or online is pretty much a wash in terms of energy use. Provided that you use standard shipping. All the trucks used to move your purchases from the warehouse to your door will be fully loaded and take the most efficient routes.
Quick shipping requires trucks to leave the warehouse before they’re completely full. If the nearest warehouse doesn’t have what you ordered, the company has to ship it from a more distant one instead of waiting. And maybe by air instead of truck. Therefore, quick shipping uses (and wastes) much more energy.
Minimize idling
Avoid idling with the fridge door open
Be mindful of energy efficiency in your own driving.
Did you know that if you’re going to be idling for more than ten seconds, it’s cheaper and better for the car to turn it off and restart when it’s time to move again?
It might not be a good idea to shut the engine off at a stoplight. But it certainly is if you’re waiting for someone. And probably if you’re stuck in a traffic jam.
But the biggest waster of gas while idling is probably the drive-thru window. And you’re breathing everyone else’s exhaust, too. Park and go in the store. It probably won’t take any more time.
Fear not! You've got a couple of fantastic options. So get on board!
Thanks for reading.
