How to Save Electricity: 10 Expert Tips to Cut Bills

With the onset of autumn, the days get shorter, the nights lengthen, and the cold weather becomes more frequent, resulting in an increase in electricity consumption. This can’t help but affect the family budget. In addition, the use of excessive electricity is a globally negative factor for the environment and the conservation of natural resources.

Why you need to save electricity

Excessive use of electricity has a negative impact not only on the personal wallet, but also on a global scale:

1. The amount of harmful emissions into the environment is increasing.
2. The country’s economic energy intensity is growing.
3. Indoor comfort conditions are declining.
4. Irreversible energy consumption increases.

It has been shown that a 100 kW incandescent light bulb that is left on for twelve hours a day for a year consumes 180 kg of coal and emits 425 kg of carbon dioxide.

Humanity is now facing an acute issue of saving electricity consumption. A positive solution to this problem will lead to:

• reducing the load on the power grid;
• preserving the environment for future generations;
• increasing economic benefits for the population.

How much do different electric drives consume

As a rule, each person uses different electrical appliances at home. In order to improve their lives, the number of electrical appliances in each home is gradually increasing. Electricity costs are also growing in proportion to this. In this regard, the issue of implementing energy-saving measures is becoming more and more relevant. When you receive another electricity bill, the first thing that comes to mind is that you need to save money. If you have come to this conclusion, you need to start somewhere. We suggest that you familiarise yourself with how much electricity various electrical appliances consume:

• boiler – 1.5-2.5 kWh;
• electric kettle – 2.2-2.4 kWh;
• computer – 0.065-0.45 kWh;
• air conditioner – 2.2-3.37 kWh;
• 100 W incandescent lamp – 0.1 kWh;
• oil and air heaters – 1.5-2 kWh;
• microwave oven – 0.7-1.5 kWh;
• washing machine – 0.8-1.14 kWh;
• iron – 1-2.4 kWh;
• vacuum cleaner – 2 kWh;
• TV – 0.08-0.14 kWh;
• single-chamber refrigerator – 0.10-0.40 kWh;
• two-chamber refrigerator – 0.77-0.90 kWh.

Ways to save electricity

There are two ways to save electricity in the modern world:

1. Reduced electricity consumption:
   • try to use natural light more (remove dust from incandescent lamps and lampshades; wash the glass on windows more often; walls should be light coloured, so that 80% of the directed sunlight is reflected from them);
   • switch off the light when leaving the room;
   • when leaving the house, switch off all electrical appliances; if you plan to return to work on the computer in about half an hour, put it in standby mode;
   • install a water heater that is not too large and choose the optimal heating temperature;
   • the energy consumption class of electrical appliances should be at least A, which can save up to 30% of electricity;
   • when using electrical appliances, strictly follow the rules for using them. For example, the refrigerator should be placed as far away from batteries as possible and defrosted in a timely manner. It is not advisable to use a vacuum cleaner if the garbage bag is full or the filters are clogged with dirt. Descale the kettle in good time. Fill the washing machine in accordance with the instructions, so as not to run it empty and not to overload it. If you follow the recommendations for the operation of electrical appliances, you can not only extend their life, but also save a lot of money.

2. Use of the latest energy-saving technologies:
   • Replace conventional incandescent light bulbs with LED or energy-saving ones – save 30% of electricity;
   • install a two-zone electricity meter. After 23.00 and until seven in the morning, electricity prices are half off. At this time, you can use a boiler, bread maker, multicooker, washing machine – saving 15-30%;
   • use programmable devices that will create and maintain comfortable conditions in your home;
   • set up a smart home system in your home that will control all electrical equipment.

Useful tips for saving electricity consumption

1. Keep your home warm so that you don’t have to switch on electric heaters as often. Insulate windows, doors, floors, and walls. Install heat-reflective screens behind radiators.
2. Reduce the time of air conditioning operation. During the heat of the day, close the windows tightly and open them at night; use ceiling fans.
3. Put a special soft ring cushion on the burner to reduce the time spent cooking on an electric stove; use pressure cookers and microwave ovens.
4. Install solar panels on the roof.