news details |
|
|
| Energy saving tips from an engineer’s notebook | | |
Er. L.P.Singh
In its step towards privatization of power distribution network, the state Government is setting up J&K Power Transmission Corporation and a Power Distribution Corporation each for Jammu & Kashmir. The Power Transmission Corporation would purchase the power and sell it to respective distribution corporation who will distribute power to various consumers and collect revenue. This will help in reducing illegal connections and theft of Electricity & no doubt improve Electricity scenario of the state.
Apart from food, housing & clothing, Electricity is one of the basic necessities. In order to secure the capacity for growth in our state/country for years to come, we have to accept the reality of the current electricity shortage. We have to find various ways to save electricity to over come this problem. If each of us save a bit of electricity in our homes & offices, we can help our nation. Here are some tips on how to Save Electricity in our homes/offices.
Room/Lounge Tips :
Television : Switch off the television when no body is watching. TV on standby mode uses up to 50% of the power the TV would use when it was actually ON.
Music system/Radio : If you are not listening to music/radio, switch it off. This is an instant saving.
Light bulbs : Try to replace all your light bulbs with CFL energy saving bulbs. CFL last 7 to 8 times longer than lamps & use 80% less electricity. Use 5 watt CFL for bathrooms and toilets as these are usually small areas and do not need much spread light.
Do not leave lights burning unnecessarily.
Ceiling fans : Replace your ceiling fans which are 10 or more years old with new ones as new fans uses 40-50% less electricity than old ones.Celiling fans now a days use only 15 to 95 watts depending on speed and size.
Refrigerator and Freezers tips :
• Do not place hot food in the refrigerator or the deep freeze. Allow it to cool outside first.
• Do not overload your refrigerator or freezer.
• Do not place refrigerator near oven.
• Do not open your fridge door for more than a moment, it loses cold air.
• Ensure that the door seals are in good condition.
• Even if there is no power failure, give rest to your fridge for two hours a day for its smooth functioning.
Washing Machines Tips:
Washing machines should only be used for a full load.
Cloth should never he placed in tumble dryer while they are still dripping with water. Remove excess water.
If weather is good, try drying your clothes on the line outside.
Kitchen Tips:
A Conventional oven uses the same power as 18 microwave oven. Use your microwave oven to cook. It is much quicker and cheaper.
Do not defrost food in the microwave oven. Rather leave it in the refrigerator to defrost.
Keep oven doors completely closed until the food is cooked. Every time the door is opened, the oven temperature drops and the heat must be replaced.
Dishwasher :
Every time you switch on your dishwasher , it’s the same as switching 120-150 CFL energy saving light bulbs .Wait until the dishwasher is full before you switch it on.
Study Tips:
Computers: - Always switch your computers off at the power button. If you leave it on standby it uses up to 50 % of the power it would use if it was actually on.
Fax machine , printers should also be switched off before leaving your office. By keeping it on you are wasting electricity and putting the machine under unnecessary strain.
Other tips :
Use new generation Electronics Chokes: In case you are using tube light fittings, use electronics chowks. It consumes less power (40W output) and work in the wide band of 100 V to 300 V without any problem. It reduces electricity bill and save about 40% of energy. More over starter is not required in it.
Air Conditioners:
Keep the AC on 23 or 24 degree temp in economy mode. This will consume less electricity which will reduce your electricity bills. Economy mode will ensure lesser usage of compressor for cooling . Forcing AC to run on low voltage will decrease its cooling capability and will consume more power . Use 2KV to 5Kv Stabilizer for you’re AC which may cost initially heavy but give you saving over the span of 2 years. Some tips for AC users to save electricity are as follows :
Replace your old A.C :- Today AC use 30-50% less electricity than 15 years old model.
Clean you’re AC filter every month.
Make sure your AC is Sized properly. An AC that is too small or too big will be inefficient and waste energy.
Shade your condenser, this saves 10% less electricity than those in direct sunlight.
Don’t block the condenser unit with tall grass and other debris around it, this can restrict air flow and use more electricity.
Clean the condenser/evaporator coils at the beginning of each season.
Put solar screens on the windows. This blocks 60-70% of the heat from sunlight.
Reduce heat from lighting in AC area (use CFL Lamps instead of light bulbs.)
Reduce heat from cooking where AC is working(use microwave ovens)
(The author is an Electrical Engineer by profession)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
