Agree that the modern man is difficult to do without electricity, heat in an apartment or house, electrical appliances, providing his usual comfort. Man is accustomed to these benefits of civilization, which require a large amount of energy.
Recently, however, the forgotten slogans of the Soviet period: “Save energy!”, “Leaving, turn off the light!” Sound more often, and with a new force they have a broader meaning.
What is energy conservation?
Energy conservation is the implementation of legal, organisational, scientific, industrial , technical and economic measures aimed at the effective (rational) use (and economical use) of fuel and energy resources and the involvement of renewable energy sources. Energy conservation is an important task for the conservation of natural resources.
The urgency of energy saving is growing in all countries, especially those who are not rich in their energy resources, due to the rapid growth of prices for the main traditional types of energy resources and the gradual depletion of their global reserves.
The fact is that the relative availability of electricity, heat, hot water for many people create an idea that these elements of comfort appear by themselves, and they never run out of themselves. Why save them, if each of them is provided in sufficient quantities at an affordable price?
How much I spend, I will pay for so much, I will spend more, so what, I will pay more. This is not a reasonable approach! Energy consumption is growing worldwide, and resources are not being renewed. This fact suggests that energy will become less affordable and more expensive.
Therefore, it is important to learn how to properly use and save energy. And, importantly, at the same time save your money.
But how can modern man, without reducing the level of comfort, optimize his energy consumption, while saving minerals, natural resources and not harming the environment?
As experts say, on the one hand, saving energy is very simple: you need to cultivate a frugal attitude in yourself and your children. This method is called behavioral energy saving. Scientists calculated that due to this ratio, up to 10% of energy consumption is saved.
Behavioral energy saving is not only turning off the light when leaving the room. It involves the rooting of the rational use of energy habits among people. This is achieved by using the lowest power consumption and does not require the use and introduction of new technologies.
Experience shows that behavioral energy saving can reduce energy consumption by 10-15% and, thus, achieve significant cost savings, improve household comfort and increase production efficiency.
Energy Conservation – What actions implies behavioural energy saving?
Behavioral energy saving can also be expressed by the well-known slogan of “Leaving – dim the light”. This means that you need to reduce energy use in cases where it is not necessary: turn off the TV, if no one is watching, close windows in winter, save hot water, turn off the iron.
It is also necessary to instil this behaviour in children, relatives, acquaintances, when they neglect these simple but important rules.
Secondly, in addition to behavioral energy saving, one should specifically deal with energy saving – this is the insulation of residential premises, including private buildings and apartments with the use of modern equipment.
Plastic windows, thermal insulation materials, heating boilers, solar water heaters, air conditioners – all these devices will help everyone to make their homes warm and save the cost of utility bills.
Thirdly, it is the weatherization of buildings of apartment buildings: roofs, external walls of the house, and entrances. Save energy will allow the installation of a heat meter that determines the consumption of heat energy of the entire house.
Fourthly, in addition to the above-mentioned measures for the insulation of buildings, private enterprises can replace or install energy-saving production and agricultural equipment.
Furthermore, energy saving is the technology and way of life that helps us reduce energy consumption through its rational use.
In a narrower sense, energy saving implies maintaining an eco-friendly lifestyle through the use of new technologies that help save our money with you and the natural resources of our planet that have been so thoughtlessly spent by mankind lately that can ultimately lead to catastrophic climate change .
When you reduce the amount of energy consumed, you automatically try to reduce the rise in temperature of our atmosphere (this process is known as global warming).
How can I save energy consumption?
Energy can be saved with the help of new energy-saving technologies and the replacement of a hydrocarbon energy source with non-polluting alternative sources.
Energy Conservation – Other ways include the following
Mandatory task to reduce energy consumption is to turn off the lights when leaving the environment – everyone knows the importance of this habit, but there is always one who forgets. So one way to remember those forgotten is to put stickers or plaques scattered around the condo switches with educational messages.
Disconnect electronic devices from the power outlet when not in use, as the stand-by increases consumption by 20%;
If you are to switch models of electronics, choose those that have energy efficiency stamps from the National Program for the Conservation of Electric Energy (Procel);
Computers also have some energy- saving techniques , such as “standby” and even the habit of turning off the monitor (learn more in this story ” Energy can be saved on your computer “);
Electric showers are the largest electric home consumers – they account for about 33% of the account’s value. Check the possibility of installation of gas or solar showers (better still) in the buildings, shorten the bath time and, in hot days, put the electricity switch of the appliance in the “summer” position;
The refrigerator is the second biggest villain of energy conscious consumption , accounting for about 23% of the account’s value. Do not touch the refrigerator on the wall, never dry clothes behind the refrigerator, frequently clean it and check the rubber seals (see ” Save energy in the kitchen “).
Changing incandescent bulbs with fluorescents will save a lot of energy. If the exchange is for LED models, better yet, because they are recyclable and have no problems involving the mercury of the fluorescent, in addition to saving even more electricity. See more details in the subject ” Energy saving tips in condominiums through lighting “;
Collect a good amount of clothes to wash in the machine and to use the iron (know other techniques in the matter ” Wash your clothes with cold water to save energy “);
Pumps that carry water around the building spend a lot of energy – the condominium should keep an eye on the efficiency of the pump. Attitudes to saving water also help to save energy (see water savings guide for condos ).
Elevators also consume a lot of energy , so do not call the two elevators at the same time, just the one that is closest. During off-peak hours, switch off one of the lifts alternately – for example: on Sundays and holidays from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some more modern elevators have more efficient drives, check with the manufacturer if they are working.
Check the feasibility of installing solar panels. Today it is easier for condos to adhere to this type of energy due to changes in legislation (see more in the article ” Deployment of solar energy system in codomínios: is feasible? “).
Green roofs and walls can save a significant amount of energy by reducing the use of air conditioning (learn more in this story ” Roofs and green walls in condominiums help save energy .”)
The highest energy consumption is during peak hours, or peak hours, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In this period, the demand for energy is very large and, if there is not enough energy to supply this demand, emergency thermoelectric plants are activated.
Thermoelectric plants emit much more greenhouse gases (GHGs) and cost more in the final energy bill . So try to avoid the intense use of energy at peak times.
Thinking of these factors, the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) created the white flag. With this new flag, the price of off-peak energy is cheaper.
If there is a possibility of changing habits to use most of the energy outside of peak hours, consumers will be able to adhere to this option and have more control over energy spending.
Install light sensors. The light sensors allow the lights to turn off automatically when there is no one in the room. This is a worthwhile investment and contributes to the conscious consumption of energy .
Avoid using multiple light bulbs. Use few high intensity bulbs. Some fluorescent and LED versions are even more economical than versions with less intensity.
Use natural lighting whenever possible. Avoid installing curtains.
Avoid painting walls and ceilings in dark colors as they reflect less light, requiring more powerful bulbs that will consequently consume more energy.
Clean walls, windows, floors and linings, as dark dirt makes light reflection, increasing consumption.
Regularly light fixtures and lamps. Insects and dust, over time, stick to the surface, preventing the passage of light, making it necessary to install more light bulbs in place to improve lighting.
Instruct children about the importance of not unnecessarily pressing several lift buttons. After all, conscious energy consumption should start early.
With these tips you can increase the energy efficiency of your home or your building and also increase the value of the property, as well as contributing to a conscious consumption of energy . Talk to residents, employees, trustees, and condo administrators and promote any measures that are feasible.
Energy Conservation – Types of alternative energy sources
Solar power
From sunlight, energy is obtained that can be used to generate heat and electricity. Sunlight is the main source of energy for virtually all life on our planet, not counting certain types of organisms that have adapted to life without light at great depths of the ocean near geothermal sources.
Moreover, sunlight helps maintain ecological balance on the earth, which is controlled by plant photosynthesis and the greenhouse effect. People for thousands of years used the energy of the sun for example, to dry clothes and cook food.
Today, there are the following technical solutions for converting the energy of sunlight into heat and electricity.
Photovoltaic systems. With the help of such systems, you can get electricity directly from sunlight.
Solar heating. Space heating with sunshine energy.
Solar water heating systems. Systems that heat water with sunlight.
Solar power. Power plants that can generate electricity and sunlight.
Passive solar heating and natural lighting. The use of solar energy for heating and lighting of buildings.
Wind power
Wind energy is often used to generate mechanical energy, and then electric. In India, wind energy is widely used in large hilly areas, as well as in coastal and desert areas. And in the countryside, the wind is used for pumping water and for grinding grain.
The great advantage of wind energy is that it is environmentally friendly and does not pollute the environment. Another advantage of wind energy is that it is fairly cheap and inexhaustible. Wind energy is the most efficient way to preserve the environment.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is used in the form of thermal energy, electricity, nuclear energy, mechanical energy, chemical energy and light energy. Underground heat sources are used to obtain geothermal energy. For the first time such a method of producing electricity was used in Italy in 1903.
Geothermal energy practically prevents air pollution. In the Indian and Pacific regions, this method of energy extraction is most relevant, since there are only a few places on the planet with unique geographic conditions where it is possible to build geothermal power plants.
Wave energy
Ocean waves contain a large amount of energy that can be extracted from the ocean wind, ocean currents, geothermal areas of the ocean, etc. Electricity from the sea wave can be mined just like from a river dam.
Hydropower
Another renewable source of energy is hydropower, which is extracted from fast flowing water. The movement of water rotates the turbine blades, which in turn generate electricity.
Plant biomass and animal waste can be used as energy. Biomass energy (such as cattle manure) can be used to generate electricity, fuel, light and heat. A person receives biomass energy directly from plants, and indirectly from animal waste.
