3. Ways to reduce energy consumption
The lesson will take you through ways to reduce your energy consumption at home and workplace on a day to day basis, thereby saving money, energy and reducing pollution.
i) Switch off lights when not in use
Artificial lights consume power – natural light is free. So, limit the use of artificial lighting to the dark areas in your home or workplace that are out of the sun’s reach. Using sensor lights in a workplace you can save a considerable amount whenever you leave your desk.
ii) Update all outdated equipment
Old electrical equipment that is no longer working at their maximum efficiency could only draw unnecessary power, costing you more money. It’s best to replace your old office appliances with new certified energy efficient ones.However, make sure that you dispose of your old equipment in a proper way and recycle it. There are a lot of companies that specialize in recycling this type of waste. You just need to find a company that recycles electronic waste near you and call them.
iii) Use energy efficient lighting systems in households
Less energy spent means less money wasted on electricity bills. If your workplace does not get enough natural light during the daytime, you can opt for low wattage lights. You can also replace existing bulbs with CFL or LED lights. They consume less power and last for longer periods of time.
iv) Use PC in battery Saver Mode
Laptops typically consume less energy compared to desktops, so keep this in mind when buying your workplace equipment. Opt for laptops whenever possible and further use the setting for maximum energy saving.
v) Print only when necessary
Avoid printing files that can be sent via email. There are many ways you can share or store important files today. Aside from reducing paper wastage, this also helps cut the total amount of energy consumed by the printer.
vi) Switch to sustainable technologies
Aside from being a great source of renewable energy, solar panels are clean, longer-lasting, and require little maintenance. Some solar panels might cost you a lot initially, but with the amount of energy and money you save, they pay off sooner than you think.
vii) Control your heating and cooling systems
Cutting down on air conditioning could mean significant savings for you. Don’t make drastic differences between the temperature outside and the one in your workplace, but keep in mind the conditions of optimum working environment.