Why it is important?
Energy efficiency includes a wide range of activities leading to increased energy efficiency (heating / cooling, electricity and water) in a building or facility.
With the introduction of energy efficiency measures, unnecessary waste and excessive consumption will be reduced, while at the same time direct financial savings will be achieved.
In addition to energy savings, the introduction of energy efficiency measures also affects the improvement of living standards, while in addition, energy efficiency measures also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 emissions.
Given the reduction in the need for primary energy, energy efficiency can also be considered as a new source of energy.
Key areas in which energy efficiency measures can be applied are:
- thermal insulation of buildings / buildings - insulation of exterior walls, roof and floor, windows, blinds;
- heating;
- cooling and ventilation;
- water heating;
Household electricity use - energy saving lamps, electrical household appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, dishwashers and small appliances - TV, DVD, Audio, computers, printers, microwave ovens, mixers, hairdryers..
The possibilities for saving money are significant. Depending on the type of implemented energy efficiency measures, with a relatively small investment, electricity consumption can be reduced by about 20-30%.
Even with smart and rational use of energy, we can reduce its consumption between 5% and 10%.
How to save energy? Useful tips:
Change old bulbs with energy-saving LED bulbs.
With insulation of cracks, gaps, and leakage points, you can save up to 10% of the heating and cooling costs.
Regularly clean or replace the filters in your cooling/heating system. Dirty filters make the operation of your system more difficult and this leads to an unnecessary increase in electricity consumption.
If and whenever possible, wash your clothes in cold water.
To make sure your refrigerator and/or freezer works effectively, defrost them before the ice thickness rises to 0.5 cm.
During the summer months, in the morning, lower the blinds to your home. Especially those on the south side. This will help keep the temperature in your home and reduce the work of the air conditioner.
In colder months, the blinds should be open so that the sun's energy can freely enter inside and warm up your home.
Use natural light whenever possible.
Do not leave your computer running all day long. Turn on your computer, monitor, printer and fax only when you need it.
Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when they are charged. So, keep your fridge and freezer as complete as possible. But be careful about overfilling, because it will reduce airflow and make the appliance work more difficult.
Use the dishwasher and laundry after 22:00 hours.
Set the refrigerator temperature according to the manufacturer's recommendation to avoid excessive cooling and energy loss.
Do not leave the fans on in the bathroom or kitchen longer than necessary.
If you are in a need and willing to invest, replace the old windows with new energy-efficient windows with dual-layer or three-layer emission glass. You will improve the insulation by 30 to 40%.
Turn off the lights when you do not need them. On average, about 12% of the electricity consumed in one household is for home lighting.
Do not leave your cell phone turned on at night. It only takes a few hours to charge.
Turn off the oven for several minutes before the cooking time has expired. Your food will continue to cook without using additional electricity.