Save the Planet & Your Cash

HELPFUL HINTS ON ENERGY SAVING

Energy prices may have fallen since oil prices rocketed to over $130 a barrel; electricity may have fallen in the short term but is bound to increase again with the promise of a carbon tax, affecting all hydrocarbon fuels, in the next Budget (8 December 2009). So some of the following tips may go a little way to alleviating the situation, both in your pocket as well as your personal welfare:-

Lighting:

Always turn off the lights when you leave a room
Wherever possible replace bulbs as they fail with the energy saving types (CFL’s). These use about a quarter of the electricity of a conventional (incandescent) bulb and last some 12 times longer. HOWEVER, be careful most energy saving bulbs cannot be used if there is a dimmer switch involved.

Cooking:

Keep lids on pots and pans when cooking. They heat up quicker and retain their heat longer.
If using the oven try to make full use of it by cooking a couple of meals at a time.
Make sure you use the right size of pot for the amount of food and ensure that the base covers just the gas or electric ring. Too small and you are heating the air, too big and it takes longer than need be.

Appliances:

Defrost the fridge and freezer regularly. Even frost-free need attention especially if the little drain hole at the back blocks – the fridge then works nearly continuously wasting energy.
When buying new appliances check the energy rating sticker – wherever you can buy ones rated “A” or “AA” – they will save you money in the end.
Always fill your washing machine full or use the economy wash button.
Always wring clothes out or spin them as dry as possible before putting them in the tumble dryer.
If you use a dishwasher, wait until you have a full load before turning it on. If washing up by hand do not wash every item at time of use, it drains down the hot water quicker and you use more energy – wait until you have a basin full to do.
If you can do not leave things like TV’s, stereo’s on stand by – that’s where the red light stays on. Switch them off at the wall. A TV on stand by uses a staggering 80% of the power that it consumes when showing a picture!
If you have a day / night electricity meter think about fitting your washing machine, dishwasher, etc with a time clock. Electricity on the night time rate is about 1/3 of the charge during the day. The rates apply from 11 p.m. – 8 a.m. (GMT) during the winter and midnight to 9 a.m. (BST) during the summer. It may pay you to get the ESB to fit a day / night meter.

Water:

Only boil the amount of water you need in the electric kettle, but do make sure that the element is covered.
Dripping taps not only waste water – they waste energy as a surprising amount of hot water (that you have paid to heat) can be lost through a dripping tap – up to 2 gallons a day. Fix those drips.
If you can shower rather than bath. A shower uses around a fifth of the hot water it takes for a bath.
Make sure the hot water tank is well insulated.

The strange thing in energy conservation and saving is that quite often you have to spend a little to save over the long term, as they say, “You have to speculate to accumulate”.