How much electricity do home appliances use?
Most daily activities involve use of electrical energy. It is obvious that the best way not to waste it is to turn off appliances and lights that do not need to be running or waiting, choosing the right program on household appliances; and assay to measure just the settings that can be (see the best tool to save electricity).
The list below shows the rapid turn of good habits that can make devices with the most common. We can find further advice and information by visiting the interactive pages accessible from the menu.
Cooking
When the water begins to simmer in a pan, it will not become hotter: all the energy that is provided by boiling it will not raise its temperature, but only to evaporate. Thus, it saves a lot of electricity, avoiding the big cooking broth.
We also save electricity by putting a lid (if the water overflows, it is a sign that gave too much power to the plate), avoiding the curved bottom pans (they have a bad contact heat source), and those whose diameter is smaller than the plate.
We still save electricity by shutting off the power a few minutes before the end of cooking to take advantage of residual heat: even if the water shivers in the pan over the plate temperature remains high enough finish the job.
Oven: preheat to prevent the long cooking, turn off the oven five to ten minutes before the end of time, and not unnecessarily open the door.
Hot water: nothing is more effective than a good electric kettle, filled with just the amount of water needed. Care should be taken not to let calcify, as this reduces the efficiency of the heating element.
Fridge
If possible, place the camera in a cool and ventilated. We must especially avoid the stick against an oven and too close to the wall: the back of the fridge must be adequately ventilated to provide heat from the engine-compressor.
Check the door gasket is fully waterproof (if so, the door must resist the opening, because the air pressure inside is lower cooled). Do not pack food hot. Adjust the temperature of the device at 5 ° C minimum.
Freezer
Place the camera in a cool and ventilated. Do not let ice build up inside (half-inch of ice increases consumption by 30%) and check the door seal is watertight. Adjust the temperature to -18 ° C, not below.
We often hear that the freezer is in stock and can avoid races. But if a freezer is always full, it is a sign that he does not fulfill this role, since there is always “a product that comes” for “a product that comes out” … Empty freezer before racing again allows the defrost or even stop during the holidays.
Dishwasher
Start the machine only when full and select the program “economic”, if it exists. Do not confuse it with the program fast (express) which consumes more energy. With the economic program, the wash time is lengthened, but the amount of electricity used is smaller: the dishwasher saves energy by raising the temperature of the water heater by small strokes, which takes time .
Lighting
Systematically extinguish the light when leaving a room. Contrary to popular belief – and whatever type of bulb used – the extra energy needed to turn it amounts to only a few seconds of consumption. This is true for saving lamps (CFLs) as for the “neon” (neon tubes).
Halogen lamps for living room, whose consumption is very high (250 to 500 watts), avoid pushing the drive to the bottom: there’s a big difference in power consumption with the position to two thirds.
Lamps Low Voltage processor that is included with their decision (block-making) usually extort electricity 24 / 24 – we feel that the block-making is always warm when the lamp is off. A disconnect, or to mount a power strip with switch.
When replacing a light bulb, ask yourself the question: “Do I need as much light at this location? A bulb with a lower power – less watts (W) – would it not matter? ”
Laundry
It is the water heating which uses more energy: choosing a program to low temperature (30 ° instead of 60 °) is used almost two times less energy. Most laundry powders are now effective at low temperatures. Especially since their enzymes, which digest such food stains become ineffective if the water is too hot.
Avoid turning the machine if it is not full; happen if the prewash laundry is lightly soiled.
If there is a key “eco”, test washing. Caution: do not confuse it with the program fast (express): to go faster, the machine gives more power to heat and eat more often than the normal schedule.
Not to mention the most effective daily gestures: wear his clothes longer and have less to wash!
Dryer
It’s a very, very big eater electricity, which moreover fatigue linens and clothing. Whenever we can do without, hanging washing to air or sunlight. If the spin of the washing machine is powerful, the machine will be less humid and drying will be shorter. Regularly clean the filter of the dryer to facilitate air circulation.
In autumn, when the heater is not working yet, it is true that the air is often moist and dry clothes often wrong. But in winter, when indoor air is dry because of heating, linen stretched on a clothesline dries quickly. Moreover, as it provides moisture in the air, it replaces a free humidifier.
Coffee machine
Turn off the machine as soon as we pulled the last coffee, unless it has a function of economics, gender SELF-off. A machine that waits will immediately begin to heat water for coffee following. However, when heated, it withdrawn several hundred watts for a few tens of seconds. The machine heats up in spurts: on average, is like leaving a light bulb of about thirty watts always on.
Computer and peripheral
Set preferences for his computer to put it to sleep (screen and hard drive) after a reasonable time (15 minutes). As soon as one leaves his place, we can turn off the screen with its button (no information is lost) as the day is not open, you can turn on the computer screen and return as the left him.
Turn off the computer when you must leave an hour or more.
Most computers and many printers continue to suck electricity when turned off. One can easily disable these hidden consumption by plugging the appliances on a power strip with a switch (equivalent to unplug).
Avoid “saving” screen (screensavers), which often consume more energy than they save: they were actually good on the old bulky monitors (CRT), but no longer serve anything on flat screens modern.
TV
Always turn off the TV with the button. As long as he can turn it on with the remote, it is a sign that draws power (besides a small light indicates the most common)
TV-video decoder
Much of the power consumption of these devices takes place while waiting to be used, under the command of a remote control. After use, they turn off their button, and you disconnect the sector (using a power strip with a switch).
Once extinguished, some devices may lose their programming after a certain time (several days to several months). For this time limit, you can read the manual.
Hi-Fi
Hi-fi, awaiting an order of starting with its lights on, can take more than ten watts continuously. Some take as much electricity even when they were put “off”, that is to say with their lights off! To be sure a string does not consume more electricity, it is disconnected from the power supply with a power strip with a switch. Some items may lose their programming after a certain time (several days to several months). For this time limit, you can read the manual.
Telecommunications
Fax, answering machine, cordless phone, DSL, modem, Wi-Fi still under-voltage, each of these devices taken off a few watts to end up doing much. Hunting duplicates and do not forget to unplug those who may be in the absence (check the manual if programming may be lost). Do not hesitate to disconnect an old phone-fax, which was not used for months.
Other Devices
Quantity of devices work only intermittently, such as food processor, hairdryer, iron, vacuum cleaner, electric shaver, game console, the electronic keyboard. If a device operates with a power adapter (transformer, charger, power supply), avoid leaving it plugged in constantly: Most use electricity while they are connected to the outlet. Typically, more an adapter is bulky and heavy, more it consumes. We realize this by placing his hand over it dissipates heat, or by sticking to his ear by his whistling.
Air conditioner
The air conditioner is a gulf in power. Before thinking about the trigger, do not produce heat at home with other electrical devices that emit a lot: normal incandescent lamps equipped with incandescent, halogen lamp room, oven, dryer. Think aerate large (creating an air flow by opening multiple windows) during the night to cool the walls, floor (it’s more effective if there were no carpets) and furniture. From sunrise, close the blinds (or components) and windows, so that its rays warm housing.
Aquarium
The aquarium is often the largest consumer of electricity the household: one or two lamps lit for ten hours a day, a water filter, an aerator and a water heater (for tropical fish) permanently connected. If the tank is heated, it will avoid putting it against a cold wall. We also provide information on temperature supported by his favorite fish, so you do not maintain higher than necessary. And, if the aquarium is lit by incandescent bulbs, ask a specialist to acquire a suitable fluorescent lighting for plants and fish: a 100 W lamp lit 10 hours a day costs an average of CHF 85. – of electricity per year.
Electric Water Heater
Plus we want a high water temperature, and the additional degree expensive electricity. The heat also encourages the formation of tartar, which further reduces the efficiency of water heaters. Therefore be avoided to exceed 60 ° C.
If it is fitted with taps, mixers (with central lever), the proper reaction is to move the lever to the right – on cold – after each use. This will avoid inadvertently extract hot water each time you open the valve mechanically, while the hot water is unnecessary.
In case of prolonged absence, turn off the water heater. And think of the repairing leaky faucets: two drops per second up 36 gallons of water lost daily – if hot water is about 60 kWh of electricity.
Circulation pump and heater
If we can control the heating of his house, we will focus on the pump that drives the hot water in the heating circuit. Very often, it turns too quickly, wasting not only electricity but also heat. During the summer, when heating is turned off, the pump does not need to turn – but often it is a function continuously.
Outside the heating period, turn off the boiler when on vacation.
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