Naturally, in the evening we like to go for a walk in the city, beautifully lit by lanterns, sit in the park under the lanterns or look at the beautifully illuminated bridge ... And, of course, there must be safety lighting in the yards. But just think, how much is the cost of lighting one metropolis, especially in the current conditions of urbanization? Although we cannot change the situation radically, as well as give up the necessary amenities, but we can take steps at the level of our sphere of influence: in the family, at work, at home.
History and modernity
From childhood, we get used to the constant availability of electricity. It has become an integral part of our daily life. Now it’s even hard to imagine how people a few centuries ago lived without this wonderful invention…
The scientist D.A. Lachinov tried to transfer electricity over a distance back in 1888. However, even in our time, not everyone knows what electricity is and where it comes from. Academician Petr Leonidovich Kapitsa said that once a prominent physicist asked the question "What is electricity?" student in the exam. He tried to get out:
I knew, but I forgot.
- That's bad luck! - the scientist pretended to be upset. - One person in the world knew it, and he forgot!
In many countries of the world, extremely effective measures are being taken to replace incandescent lamps, the light output of which does not exceed 2 lm / W. Annual residential electricity consumption in the US is 1,946 kWh and in Japan is 939 kWh, while in the US the number of lamps in a house is 43 and in Japan it is 17, and the average luminous efficiency is respectively 18 and 49 lm/W. In Japan, the main fleet of lighting equipment both in everyday life and in industry and public buildings is fluorescent lamps.
In November 2008, the Decree of the Government of Ukraine was issued stating that starting from 2009, incandescent lamps in all government buildings should be replaced with other more energy-efficient light sources. In the United States, a decree signed by the president was issued stating that since 2011, 100 W incandescent lamps are excluded from the production and use, in 2012 - 75 W, and so on until 2014, when incandescent lamps must be completely eliminated. Australia has issued a government decree for full transition to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by 2012. To date, in 14 countries around the world there are state energy saving programs in Green Light lighting systems, according to which assistance is provided in the development of areas that allow saving electricity. There is no such program in Russia.
While there is no such program in the post-Soviet countries, it's time to start saving at home, at work, in places of recreation and teach this to other people. After all, only a person can change the situation that he himself created. Today, household consumption accounts for more than two-thirds of the electricity produced, by some estimates. For example, in order to ensure the burning of a forty-watt light bulb during the day, at least a ton of water must pass through the turbines of a hydroelectric power station (HPP). The cost of energy at thermal power plants (CHPs that run on gas and fuel oil) is even higher.
How to reduce your daily electricity consumption
So, small but effective steps that each of us can take to save electricity:
1. Replace Edison incandescent lamps with modern fluorescent (or LED) lamps, the light output of which is from 16 lm / W. When choosing such lamps, one should be careful and pay attention to the absence of mercury and a flickering effect, which adversely affects vision, especially in children. This information is indicated on the packaging (or you can first familiarize yourself with the brand of interest on the Internet).
2. Turn off the lights in the room after leaving , make the most of daylight. Some scientists advise, if possible, to refrain from working at night at all.
3. Turn off chargers , as well as devices (TV, computer, player, etc.) from the mains after use - even in standby mode, they absorb energy. The more electricity you use, the more fuel the power plants need, and, consequently, the more toxic combustion products get into the atmosphere.
4. Turn off monitors on computers during work breaks for more than an hour, as they consume up to 70% of all the energy needed to run a computer, and consume a lot of energy even in the screesaver state.
5. It is rational to load (to the maximum) and choose an economical washing mode (as low as possible - this will save several tens of thousands of barrels of oil per day) of the washing machine. Small items can be washed by hand. To dry things, use the rays of the sun instead of machine drying.
6. Boil water in the kettle is limited - in the amount necessary for tea drinking. Regularly descale the kettle, as its layer creates resistance to heating and requires more energy.
7. Buy household appliances class "A" - it consumes much less energy than any other. This difference can sometimes be up to 50%. In addition, there are devices of class A + and A ++, the energy-saving capabilities of which are even higher.
8. Defrost refrigerators and freezers regularly, as they use more electricity when filled with ice.
9. Wash windows and shades for greater brightness and purity of light.
10. Install modern energy-saving devices : dimmers (rotary dimmers that smoothly change the level of illumination), motion sensors, impulse relays, digital switches. The built-in automatic light shut-off system works very effectively in the entrance.
11. Climb to the floor on foot , use the elevator as rarely as possible. This will also help your health.
12. Install, if possible, alternative energy sources (solar chargers, solar panels themselves, wind generators, etc.).
13. Walk outdoors, in parks, forests instead of sitting at home watching TV and a computer. It's good for health too! 🙂
To summarize the tips: start with small changes , developing one habit per week, and you will see how simple it is, but effective! And be sure to share with your friends!
See also anekdotig:
- Tip: " Boil only the amount of water you need " (August 17, 2015)