A modern apartment is full of all kinds of electrical appliances, without which people can no longer imagine their lives. Therefore, residents of ordinary two- or three-room apartments often charge up to 200-300 kW. However, energy savings are possible in an apartment, and we will look at options for how to save electricity in an apartment with a meter.
General directions of deposits
Residents must first determine which devices consume the most energy. A household wattmeter can help. With its help you can find out how much electricity a certain appliance (refrigerator, TV, hair dryer, iron) consumes when it is turned on or in standby mode.
By conducting such an analysis of energy consumption, it is possible to develop savings measures.
When carrying out the next repair of an apartment, you should do the following:
- Replace old electrical wiring that was installed decades ago and is not designed for many electrical appliances. The use of a larger cable, rational regulation, and an increase in the number of secure outlets will avoid connecting extension cables and tees. This is the way to the economy and fire safety.
- Wallpaper or paint walls and ceilings in light colors that will extend the use of sunlight in the room. Remove all bulky items from window sills and hang transparent light curtains.
- Consider zoning the apartment and install lighting fixtures (general lighting, floor lamps, table lamps, appliques) with the required power accordingly. If possible, replace chandeliers and shades with more transparent ones that absorb less light, after which it will be possible to use lamps with less power.
- Insulate the walls, replace the windows, seal the doors. All this will allow you to open additional heating systems less often.
- Install a two-phase meter and use energy-saving devices after 23: 00, when the tariff is much lower.
- Replace old incandescent bulbs with more modern energy-saving or LED bulbs. This will save you 70-80% of your home's lighting costs.
Proper use of electrical appliances
If possible, say goodbye to old energy-efficient electrical appliances. Modern devices are more attractive, practical and economical. Energy efficiency class A, A +, A ++ means that this device is the most economical today. However, even when using old appliances, you can save energy in the apartment.
- Electric oven. After the water boils, partially boil the food, cover the pan with a lid. Use only carbon-free, flat-bottomed and properly sized pans (preferably stainless steel), and use a pressure cooker with a higher cooking temperature due to its density. Replace burnt spirals on stoves in a timely manner. Following all these tips will save up to 60%.
- Place the refrigerator in a cool, well-ventilated place. The door should be tightly closed and opened as rarely as possible and as soon as possible. The refrigerator should not be completely filled with dishes and food, because the air inside must circulate freely. Place the dishes in the refrigerator only after they have cooled to room temperature.
- Audio and video equipment must be constantly cooled by air flow. Do not put it in standby mode. To reduce the brightness and contrast of the screen, it is better to place the TV and computer monitor in the same bright place.
- Computer. When you stop working on it, after a while the monitor goes into standby mode, and then the whole computer. The user can adjust the time when the monitor "goes to sleep".
- The vacuum cleaner should be regularly cleaned of accumulated dust, which will increase its traction capacity and reduce energy consumption.
- The washing machine must be loaded to the standard specified in the passport. Low loading is just as harmful as overloading.
- The kettle must be regularly cleaned of scale that impairs the thermal conductivity of the heating element.
- Turn on the air conditioner only when the windows and doors are closed.
- Chargers for electronic gadgets that are not unplugged consume the electricity used to heat them.
How to save electricity in an apartment with folk remedies
Often such a statement hides theft from an energy company, not completely legal ways to save money. There are many ads on the Internet, such as "save electricity in the apartment with a magnet. "
- Strong neodymium magnets (NdFeB) are often used to reduce the speed of the meter. These magnets are able to stop or slow down both single-phase and three-phase electromechanical (induction) meters. Electronic meters do not react to magnets, except for devices where the measuring part is not electronic. However, it should be noted that as a result, up to 30-40% of meters fail, and if they are replaced in the power supply, they can conduct a magnetization test and prosecute the fraudster.
- Various economists are also actively invited. Manufacturers claim that with its help, the electrician is used more rationally, extending the service life of electrical appliances. In this case, the device has no effect on the meter. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that these devices have the simplest device: a few LEDs and a 5 microfarad film capacitor. This device can have the least effect on the reactive energy of a low-power device such as a fluorescent lamp. However, the housing meter only considers active energy and does not react to reactive energy. Therefore, such economists are pure fraudsters.
It can be concluded that there are many ways to save electricity in an apartment, but it is better to use legal methods than to be illegal and fraught with both technical and legal difficulties.