water and electric conservation

Water Conservation Tips

Faucets :

Installing Low-Flow shower heads and faucet aerators is the single most effective water conservation savings you can do for your home.

Standard faucet aerators will allow flow rates of 2.5 - 5 gallons of water per minute. But for bathroom faucets, low-flow aerators that deliver 0.5 to 1 gallon (1.9 to 3.8 liters) of water per minute will deliver the same force of spray, but often in a more pleasing fashion. Kitchen faucets may require a higher flow rate of 2 to 4 gallons (7.6 to 15.1 liters) per minute if you regularly fill the sink for washing dishes. If you tend to let the water run when washing dishes, the lower flow rate of 0.5 to 1 gallon per minute may be more appropriate. Some kitchen aerators will allow you to flip between two flow rates without affecting the water temperature.

Here are some figures on faucet water usage: 15% of an average household’s daily water consumption is through faucet use. In a family of four, where each person uses the bathroom sink for 6 minutes each day, using a 0.5 gallon per minute aerator (instead of a 2.5 gallon per minute aerator) would reduce the daily household water consumption by 48 gallons per day, which totals 17,520 gallons annually.

Installation couldn't be easier. Aerators simply screw onto the faucet head, usually after removing the existing screen. That's it.

Compared to the standard faucet aerator with a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute your flow rate reduction will be:
1.5 gpm = up to 40%
1.0 gpm = up to 60%
0.5 gpm = up to 80%

You can buy them at most hardware stores, home improvement centers, online, or at energy-conservation outlets. They typically cost between $0.50 and $3.00. You'd be hard pressed to find a wiser three-dollar investment.

Shower :

Low-flow showerheads are efficient. They can significantly reduce your household water consumption without a noticeable difference to your shower experience. The term “low flow” is generally defined as a showerhead with a water consumption rate of 0.5 to 2 gallons per minute (gpm).

Showerheads are measured by flow—the number of gallons they deliver per minute (gpm). Flow is affected by water pressure, measured in pounds per square inch (psi). The greater the pressure pushing water through pipes and showerheads, the greater the volume of water forced out.

Water pressure on the high side—80 psi, for example—will push a greater amount of water through a showerhead than low water pressure, say 20 psi. This same principle is in effect when you don't turn on the water full blast.

Installing a low-flow shower head in your shower is not just good sense, it's a breeze.

Your shower uses around 22 percent of the total water you use in your home (if your home is average). A good portion of that water takes a detour through your water heater, raising your energy bill on its way to soaking your head. You can assume that with an old standard shower head, a 5-minute shower would use about 30 gallons of water. If you have more than one person in your home, or you take longer showers . . . well, you do the math. I just know it's a lot of hot water.

For best efficiency, you should get a low-flow shower head with a shut-off valve. This allows you to turn off the water while soaping up, then turn it back on instantly without having to readjust the temperature.

Toilet :

Put plastic bottles or float booster in your toilet tank. To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms. Or, buy an inexpensive tank bank or float booster. This may save ten or more gallons of water per day. Be sure at least 3 gallons of water remain in the tank so it will flush properly.

Water saving tips:

Take shorter showers. One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water.

Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush. There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth. Just wet your brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.

Rinse your razor in the sink. Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste of water.

Check faucets and pipes for leaks. A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.

When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing. If your have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water. If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or a panful of hot water. If using a dishwasher, there is usually no need to pre-rinse the dishes.

Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water.

Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge. Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful.

Electric Conservation Tips

Lighting:

The lighting efficiency of the new high power LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs is more than eight times that of incandescent lights, and twice as high as compact fluorescent lights. Led bulbs also emit a much higher percentage of light in the desired direction. This makes them even more efficient compared to either incandescent or fluorescent for task lighting, desk lamps, reading lights, night lights, ect... LED night lights use only about 25 cents' worth of electricity per year and generate very little unwanted heat. The energy savings may be doubled in air-conditioned environments where each watt of incandescent lighting can add another watt or more to the power needed for air conditioning.

Led bulbs can operate for 30,000 hours or more. One led lightbulb can easily outlast 30 incandescent bulbs, or 6 compact fluorescents! Led bulbs cost less than the bulbs they replace. Operating 8 hours per day, led light bulbs can last 10 years or more!

Led light bulbs are less sensitive to shock, vibration, and the extreme temperature changes that can quickly ruin fragile incandescent bulbs. And unlike fluorescent bulbs which wear out much faster if they are frequently turned on and off, led bulbs are not affected by frequent on-off switching.

TV :

Shopping for an energy efficient television set can be difficult. You can scan the manufacturers' specs, but many don't provide power information, and the numbers provided rarely include standby power ratings. Depending on what type of set you buy, a television can consume as little as 45 watts or as much as 500 watts, and cost anywhere from $13 to $145 per year to run.

Basically, TVs that use the least amount of electricity are smaller LCD TVs, and the biggest energy consumers are the 50+ inch plasma sets. The most efficient LCD televisions are generally those in the Sharp Aquos line. Last year, CNET tested the energy efficiency of 20 television sets, and the Sharp Aquos LC-20B8U-S 20 inch set was found to be the least power hungry — it costs just $13 a year to run. Rear-projection TVs are also technically energy efficient, but these sets are large and rarely get as bright as the others.

Tips:

Make sure the television is off if nobody is watching it.

Dryer :

Of course, one of the cheapest means of drying clothes uses no appliance what-so-ever. The simple clothes line and clothes pins cost hardly anything. Using the heat of the sun and drying power of breezes, clothes lines are making a come back in many backyards.

Unlike most other types of appliances, clothes dryers don't vary much in the amount of energy used from model to model. That's why clothes dryers are not required to display EnergyGuide labels. They're also not listed in the ENERGY STAR®'s database.

But that doesn't mean that the amount of energy used by clothes dryers isn't important. A dryer is typically the second-biggest electricity-using appliance after the refrigerator, costing about $85 to operate annually.

Over its expected lifetime of 18 years, the average clothes dryer will cost you approximately $1,530 to operate.

Right now, all dryers on the market work the same - they tumble clothes through heated air to remove moisture. Engineers are working to develop dryers that use microwaves to dry clothes, but they're not yet being sold. (One problem still to be overcome is metal rivets and metal zippers, which don't microwave well.)

Buying Smart

Consider these tips if you're looking to buy an efficient clothes dryer:

Check for the highest energy factor number when comparing different models. Remember that there are two costs to an appliance - the initial purchase price, and the cost of operating that appliance over the many years you own it.

Look for a clothes dryer with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry. Not only does this save energy; it reduces wear and tear on clothes caused by over-drying.

The best dryers have moisture sensors in the drum for sensing dryness, while most only estimate dryness by sensing the temperature of the exhaust air. Compared with timed drying, you can save about 10 percent with a temperature sensing control, and 15 percent with a moisture sensing control.

Look for a dryer with a cycle that includes a cool-down period, sometimes known as a "perma-press" cycle. In the last few minutes of the cycle, cool air, rather than heated air, is blown through the tumbling clothes to complete the drying process.

Washer :

The average American family washes almost 400 loads of laundry each year using about 40 gallons of water per full load with a conventional washer.

It’s a good thing families can cut their related energy costs by more than a third — and the water costs by more than half — just by purchasing a clothes washer with the ENERGY STAR label.

Is your washer over 10 years old? Replace it with a new ENERGY STAR qualified washer and you could save over $145 each year on your utility bills. That’s like getting your High Efficiency (HE) detergent free year round.

The good news is that new washers on the market today can cut your energy use by as much as 70 percent. They can save you more than $850 in water and detergent over the life of the machine. Best of all, independent studies show they may actually get clothes cleaner!

ENERGY STAR clothes washers range from about 1.6 cubic feet up to 2.9 cubic feet. A typical large-capacity washer, such as found in most households, is about 2.7 cubic feet. For a family that does a lot of laundry, one of the larger models probably makes the most sense. For an individual or couple who do less laundry, a small model will be the most economical.

Look for high-speed spin cycles that remove more water from fabrics, so less energy is needed for drying.

When purchasing a washer, select one that allows control of the water level and temperature. Look for energy-saving features like pre-soak, "suds saver," and cold water settings.

When you look for energy efficient appliances, don't be misled. Names like "Energy Miser," "Energy Saver" and "Fuel Saver" don't necessarily guarantee savings. The best way to determine energy efficiency of appliances is to actually compare information provided by EnergyGuide labels.

Check for rebates before you buy new appliances. Call your utility company to see if they are giving rebates on high efficiency models. When shopping, ask your salesperson about them.

Clothes Washer Tips:

Use cold water and detergent specially formulated for use in cold water.

When laundry day comes, wash only full loads, but do not overload your machine. Wash smaller loads only when you have a small-load attachment or variable water levels.

Use the correct amount of detergent. Too many bubbles make your machine work harder and use more energy.

Presoak or use the soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments like your kid's soccer uniform. You'll avoid two washings and save energy.

Up to 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water, so use hot water only for very dirty clothes, and always use cold water in the rinse cycle.

Air Conditioning :

In most homes the air conditioner is the single largest consumer of energy. Air conditioners put a strain on most people’s energy costs in the summertime. High temperatures make it harder for the unit to work most effectively. Using energy efficient air conditioning can dramatically reduce one’s energy costs- some by forty percent.

Air conditioners employ the same operating principles and basic components as your home refrigerator. An air conditioner cools your home with a cold indoor coil called the evaporator. The condenser, a hot outdoor coil, releases the collected heat outside.

Each air conditioner has an energy-efficiency rating that lists how many Btu per hour are removed for each watt of power it draws. For room air conditioners, this efficiency rating is the Energy Efficiency Ratio, or EER. For central air conditioners, it is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER. These ratings are posted on an Energy Guide Label, which must be conspicuously attached to all new air conditioners. Many air conditioner manufacturers are participants in the voluntary EnergyStar® labeling program. EnergyStar-labeled appliances mean that they have high EER and SEER ratings.

When purchasing energy efficient units it’s important to take note of the energy efficiency rating. This minimum rating was increased about three years ago, so manufacturers are no longer able to build units below the new minimum. The increase in ratings gives the consumer a thirty percent decrease in energy consumption.

A few tips that will help you further save money:

Leave the thermostat at one temperature. Dropping the temp to cool the house quickly will not cool the house any faster. If the thermostat is set to seventy eight it will take the same amount of time to get to seventy eight as it would if it was set to seventy.

For the most energy savings the thermostat should stay at seventy eight in the summer and sixty eight in the winter.

While natural sunlight is perfect for energy efficient lighting, closing the curtains when not in the room will help the house retain cool air. Opening the curtains at night will allow heat to escape as well.

Keep the air filter clean, check it every couple of months or so. A clean filter can increase efficiency by five to fifteen percent.

Kitchen Range/ Stove :

Which piece of cooking equipment you use and how you use it makes a big impact on how much energy you use preparing meals. Here are some tips that should help you decide where and when savings are possible in the kitchen.

Select the right pan or appliance. Oversized pans waste energy. The pan you use should match the burner size. A 6-inch diameter pan on an 8-inch burner wastes almost half of the energy produced by the burner. Using a separate appliance like a Crockpot can save energy when preparing foods requiring long cooking times. Pressure cookers reduce energy use 50 to 75 percent because cooking times are reduced when food is cooked at the higher temperatures created inside a pressure cooker. And when you bake, use glass and ceramic pans and you can lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees. If you're baking or roasting something for less than a half hour, use a toaster oven. They often use 1/3 to 1/2 the power needed for a conventional oven.

With flat-surface electric burners, make sure the bottom of your pans are flat-bottomed and can make good contact with the element. Uneven pan bottoms don't conduct heat to the food as well. And with electric burners, you can turn them off toward the end of the cooking time since they'll radiate heat for awhile as they cool.

Keep lids on pans as you cook; cooking without them can require three times as much energy as cooking with them on. Look for pans with glass lids if you like to keep an eye on what you are preparing.

When boiling foods, keep the amount of water used to a minimum. Using excess water that must be heated wastes the energy required to raise its temperature.

Microwaves use a lot of energy when operating, but because cooking times are so drastically reduced, using a microwave to prepare a meal will reduce energy use by about two-thirds compared to a conventional oven. Because less heat is generated in the kitchen, you may also save on air conditioning costs during the summer. Some microwave ovens include sophisticated features to further boost energy efficiency and cooking performance, such as temperature probes, controls to turn off the microwave when food is cooked, and variable power settings. New “rapid-cook” ovens combining microwaves with other cooking technologies— notably halogen lights or convection—are designed to cut cooking time and improve the quality of foods compared to standard microwave preparation.

Defrosting frozen foods in the refrigerator will reduce cooking time. But allow enough time for defrosting to take place. It can take several days for a frozen turkey to defrost in a refrigerator.

Refrigerator / Freezer:

Refrigerator Tips:

Minimize door openings as much as possible. Every time the refrigerator door is opened, cooled air escapes. The unit must then work harder to replace the air. Try to keep the door open no longer than necessary. Be sure to close the door completely.

Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at 0 to 5°F.

To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.

Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.

Move your refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils once a year unless you have a no-clean condenser model. Your refrigerator will run for shorter periods with clean coils.

When going on vacation, remove perishables from the refrigerator and turn the setting up a few degrees.

Freezer Tips:

Freezer temperature should be kept at 0 to 5°F.

Make sure the freezer door closes tightly. Check the door seals and gaskets periodically for air leakage. Lubricate the gaskets with petroleum jelly to keep them from cracking or drying out.

Avoid putting hot foods directly in the freezer. Let them cool in the room first.

A full freezer will perform better than a nearly empty freezer.

Mark items in the freezer for quick identification so that you don't have to keep the door open longer than necessary.

Reduce electricity leakage :

Electricity is used by a very wide variety of equipment, much of this continually consumes electrical power in standby mode even if it is not being used, this is sometimes referred to as 'electricity leakage', this wastes electrical energy prodigiously.

It is easy to dramatically reduce electricity leakage.

Almost all homes continually consume electricity, if yours continually consumes 0.1kWh - this is quite common, nearly 440 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per household at a cost of about $40 per year.

The electricity leakage occurs because many electronic devices can't be fully turned off without switching them off at the wall socket or disconnecting them. While the device may appear to be turned off, in reality, it is one of several standby modes wasting electricity, somewhere between fully off and fully on, so it consumes electric energy 24/7.

Eliminating this standby or "leaking" electricity could save households between six and 26 percent on their average monthly electricity usage.

Tips to reduce electricity leakage:

If you are not using the equipment turn it off at the wall socket.

Do not leave electrical equipment on standby, use a switched power distribution unit for systems that have many plugs and switch it off when not in use or use an intelligent surge protector.

Unplug electric toothbrush and shaver charging cables from the wall socket when not in use.