Conserve Energy. Save the Planet
Cooking
Keep the oven door closed. Each time you open it the temperature drops about 20C (68F).
Cook several meals at the one time.
Use stackable saucepans or ones with dividers for small amounts.
Keep food warm at 70-80C (158-176F).
Use the oven heat to warm plates.
Use utensils with flat bottoms and well fitting lids.
Vegetables will cook in a gentle simmer.
Fan ovens reduce energy use.
Keep the hotplate reflectors clean and bright to reflect heat upwards.
Pressure cookers can save about 25% of energy.
Use small appliances whenever possible.
Thawing frozen food before cooking saves about 15 minutes cooking time per 500g (1lb).
Microwave ovens are economical for suitable functions.
Use the appropriate sized hotplate for the size of the utensil.
Use an electric kettle to boil water, not a hotplate.
Ensure oven door seals are in good order.
Heating & Cooling
Insulate ceiling with at least 50mm ( 2 inches) of fibrous or foam insulation.
Insulate cavity walls. Block off unused chimneys.
Keep rooms closed if heating or cooling ( except for full house air conditioning).
Keep air conditioner filters and condenser coils clean.
Reverse cycle air conditioners are more efficient than element heaters.
Close doors of rooms not in use to conserve energy.
Shade windows outside during summer.
Turn off appliances if rooms unoccupied.
Use personal fans, multi speed fans & ceiling fans where possible.
Set air conditioner to 18-19C (64-66F) in summer or 24-25C (75-77F) in winter).
Close airconditioner exhaust and fresh air vents until needed.
Air conditioner fans are more efficient on high speed.
A student may be kept warm with a low wattage heater in a study. e.g. 500 watts.
Use evaporative cooling appliances where possible.
Two speed swimming pool pumps save about 60% energy imput.
Aim to heat the people rather than space heating. Use small radiators rather than space heating.
- Electric blankets are the cheapest bedroom heating.
Refrigeration Select a refrigerator which uses waste heat for defrosting.
Only buy a refrigerator appropriate. Do not buy one too large.
If you already own a freezer buy a refrigerator without a freezer section.
Defrost before ice build up is 1cm ( 3/8 inch) thick.
Open the door only when necessary.
Ensure door seals are in good condition.
Keep the coils at the rear free of dust and fluff.
Locate the refrigerator in a well ventilated postion.
Do not position refrigerator in direct sunlight or near any heat source.
Washing Clothes
Buy a washing machine suitable. Do an extra load rather than have one too big.
Use water level appropriate to the amount of washing.
Use soak and sud saver features.
Cold or tepid water will wash effectively. Use correct type of detergent.
Do not use lights too large for the needs.
Use translucent shades. Dark shades require bigger lamps.
Place lights locally near the task, not a central light.
Use fluorescent tubes and save about 75% energy. Use modern long life lamps.
Drying Clothes
Use solar energy to dry clothes. A clothes line.
Operate a dryer using the fan only. Use heater only when absolutely necessary.
Never over or under load the dryer.
Switch off as soon as clothes are dry enough.
Tumble dryers are more effective than cabinet dryers.
Heating Water
Solar hot water heating is cheaper.
Don't allow taps to drip. Sixty drips a minute wastes about 400 litres per month.
Water restrictors & low flow showers save energy.
Ensure hot water pipes and the heater are insulated.
Install a storage heater of at least 125 litres to run off peak tariff ( where available).
Normal showers use less water than a bath.
Fill kettles from the cold tap.
Set hot water temperature at about 70C (158F)
Accessories
Lighting dimmers save energy and provide mood surroundings.
Use plug in timers where possible.
Adapted from a brochure (1985) prepared by The Electricity Trust of South Australia ( ETSA).
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e&oe
posted by The Family @ 4:39 PM
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