A modern apartment is crammed with all kinds of appliances, without which people can no longer imagine their life. That is why residents of an ordinary two- or three-room apartment often receive electricity bills of 200-300 kW. However, energy saving in an apartment is possible, and we will consider options on how to save electricity in an apartment with a meter.
General savings indications
First of all, residents should determine which devices consume the most energy. A home wattmeter can help with this. With the help of him, you can find out how much electricity a particular device (refrigerator, TV, hairdryer, iron) consumes when it is 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 renovation of an apartment, it is necessary:
- Replace old electrical wiring that was installed decades ago and was not designed for so many electrical appliances. The use of a larger cable, a rational layout and an increase in the number of safe sockets will avoid connecting extension cords and tees. This is the road to economy and fire safety.
- Wallpaper or paint walls and ceilings in light colors that will prolong the use of sunlight in the room. Remove all bulky items from the window sills and hang the transparent light curtains.
- Think about the zoning of the apartment and, accordingly, place the lighting devices of the required power (general lighting, floor lamps, table lamps, sconces). If possible, replace the chandeliers and lampshades with more transparent ones that absorb less light, after which it will be possible to use lower wattage lamps.
- Insulate the walls, replace the windows, seal the doors. All this will allow you to turn on additional heating systems less often.
- Install a two-phase meter and use energy-intensive appliances after 11. 00pm, when the tariff is much lower.
- Replace old incandescent bulbs with more modern energy-saving or LED bulbs. This will save 70-80% of home lighting costs.
Correct use of household appliances
If possible, say goodbye to old energy-intensive appliances. Modern devices are much more attractive, practical and economical. Energy efficiency class A, A +, A ++ means this device is the cheapest today. However, even when using old appliances, it is possible to save energy in the apartment.
- Electric stove. Boil the food on partial power after boiling the water, closing the pot with a lid. Use only pans, clean from carbon deposits, with a flat bottom and of the right size (preferably in stainless steel), use a pressure cooker in which the cooking temperature is higher due to its tightness. Change in time the spirals burned in the burners. by following all these tips you will save up to 60%.
- Place the refrigerator in a cool, well-ventilated place. The door should be well sealed and opened as rarely and for a short period of time as possible. The refrigerator should not be completely filled with dishes and food, as the air inside should circulate freely. Put the pots with food in the refrigerator only after they have cooled to room temperature.
- Audio and video equipment must be constantly cooled by a stream of air. Do not leave it in standby mode. It is best to place the TV and computer monitor in an evenly lit place to reduce the brightness and contrast of the screen.
- Computer. When you stop working on it, after a while the monitor goes into standby mode, then the whole computer. The user can adjust the time after which the monitor "falls asleep".
- The vacuum cleaner must be regularly cleaned of accumulated dust, this will increase its traction and reduce energy consumption.
- The washing machine must be loaded to the standard specified in the passport. Underloading is not as profitable as overloading.
- The electric kettle must be regularly cleaned of limescale, which affects the thermal conductivity of the heating element.
- Switch on the air conditioner only with the windows and doors closed.
- Chargers for electronic devices that are not disconnected consume electricity, which is used to heat them.
How to save electricity in an apartment with folk remedies
More often than not, such a formulation hides not entirely legal methods of saving one's money, but simply stealing from an energy company. There are many advertisements on the Internet such as "saving electricity in an apartment with a magnet".
- Powerful Neodymium (NdFeB) magnets are most often used to slow down the counter. These magnets are able to stop or slow down electromechanical (induction) meters, both single-phase and three-phase. Electronic meters do not react to magnets, except for devices where the measuring part is not electronic. However, it should be noted that from such an impact, up to 30-40% of the meters fail, and if they are replaced in the power supply, they can conduct a magnetization test and bring the cheater to justice through the courts.
- Various economists are also actively offered. Manufacturers claim that with its help the electrician is used more rationally, the service life of electrical appliances is extended. In this case the device has no effect on the counter. Upon closer examination, it turned out that these devices have the simplest device - several LEDs and a 5 microfarad film capacitor. This fixture may have minimal effect on the reactive energy of a low-power fixture, such as a fluorescent lamp. However, the meter in the apartment only takes into account active energy and does not react to reactive energy. Therefore, such economists are pure scam.
It can be concluded that there are many ways to save electricity in an apartment, however, it is better to use legal methods rather than illegal and fraught with both technical and legal problems.