Switch off a little ................... save a lot!

Electrical energy is the one, which is essential for most of the purposes of scientific and technological developments.  Electricity is no longer a luxury item today but an essential pre-requisite of life. Each individual needs electric power for education, health care and other social & cultural activities. Even the most common people have started using at random the electrical appliances, gadgets and other electric operated machines like radio, television, refrigerator, computer, air conditioner, heater, cooler, cooker, geyser, washing machine, pumps etc.

Here, it is to be borne in mind that energy saved is energy generated. Saving of one unit of energy simply means generation of one and half units. This theoretical finding can be translated into reality through Demand Side Management in which role of consumer is quite significant.

The demand side management plan has its focus on the reduction of losses - both technical and commercial. It envisages

·         detection & regularization of unauthorized connections involving theft and pilferage of energy

·         improvement in commercial services like energy auditing, billing & revenue collection, and

·          training and education programmes for the consumers on the energy efficient items.

Electrical Consuming Device by category (End-User):

1. Interior Lighting:

Good energy management can easily cut lighting energy by half. The Reductions in waste heat also decrease the need for air conditioning.

· Use fluorescent tubes in preference incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent Lamps are three (3) times more efficient and last ten (10) times longer.

· Consider the purchase of compact fluorescent lamps/luminaries (CFL). These lamps produce less heat and last longer.

· Avoid “long-life” bulbs. They are 20% less efficient than the standard bulbs.

· Turn off all lights, when someone is not occupying the washroom,

closets and in-frequently used area.

· Report any and all electrical lighting problems/faults or mal-function to

the Public Works Department and the Electrical Inspectorate Division – Public Works or your maintenance/repair personnel.

2. Office Equipment:

· All office equipment is to be in accordance with the suppliers/manufacture operational procedure manual; failure to comply can and would result in poor equipment operation and failure.

· Do not leave transformers plugged into the wall outlet receptacle; disconnect (turn-off the outlet switch) and isolate (remove) all transformers at the end of the working day.

· Shut off unnecessary computers, printers, and copiers that are not in use

and close-down/disconnect at the end of the working d

3. Computer & Electronic (Operational) Equipment:

· For efficient use it is recommended that all personal computers (PC’s) utilize the power management option. PATH - go to the computer Desk Top, click on Start-Settings-Control Panel-Power management

Option: The time settings in this power option controls how long if unattended the PC takes to go to the standby mode to conserve energy [low-power state].

Suggested Settings:

1. Monitor – 15 min.

2. Hard Disk (Central Processor Unit) – 25 min.

3. System Standby – 30 min.

4. Screen Saver – 1 min.

5. Additionally, use the automatic save feature when working in all

applications, preferable at one (1) minute intervals..

· Shut off unnecessary computers, printers, and copiers that are not in use and close-down/disconnect at the end of the working day.

4. Air Conditioning:

· All office windows are to be covered by light coloured blinds/curtains or screens. E.g. white, beige, light cream, to reduce heat conduction, radiation and convection. Awnings to shade windows also help.

· All doors, windows and openings are to be thermally sealed and kept closed on entry/exit to reduce unit over-work.

· Depending on occupancy level and local area disposition, room air conditioners [window type units] can be replaced by more energy efficient split units or central air conditioners.

· Set thermostat/temperature control to “auto”. The “fan-on” setting will increase energy use.

· Review the maintenance programme for the air-conditioners, as poor maintenance contributes to low performance and energy losses

- Natural Cooling:

· Fans should not run in rooms that are unoccupied.

· Ceiling fans can augment natural breezes to increase comfort. They can improve ventilation and lessen the need for air conditioning.

· Open windows as wide as possible to admit cool circulating breeze and fresh breeze.

5. Domestic Refrigeration, Heating & Ventilation:

· Be conscientious and mindful of the time spent with the refrigerator door open, during the entry and/or retrieval of items.

· Allow warm food to cool before storing in the refrigerator.

· Make sure that air spaces under/beneath and behind the refrigerator allows for the free escape of hot air currents

· Motor and condenser coils should be kept free of dust.

6. Cooking, Domestic Equipment, Laundry & Clothes Drying: [oven,range/cooker, hot plate, microwave, toaster, blender/mixer, kettle, floor polisher, vacuum cleaner, dryer/blower, iron, television, video, radio/stereo, washing machine]

· All appliances must be turned off, when not in use.

· Stove/oven/ ranges are to be set on the medium range at 2 – 3

temperature level.

Laundry: Good practices saves on energy use for water heating, washing and drying.

· Use hot water (130° F) only for colour fast cotton and stains.

· Use short wash cycle for lightly soiled garments

· Wash full loads ALWAYS if and when possible.

- Clothes Drying:

· Use a clothes-line or “solar clothes dryer”. This saves 100 % use in electric energy.

· Dry ONLY full loads as often as possible.