Energy Conservation
From Swikipedia
Introduction
Energy conservation is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used. It may be achieved through efficient energy use, in which case energy use is decreased while achieving a similar outcome, or by reduced consumption of energy services. Energy conservation may result in increase of financial capital, environmental value, national security, personal security, and human comfort. Individuals and organizations that are direct consumers of energy may want to conserve energy in order to reduce energy costs and promote economic security. Industrial and commercial users may want to increase efficiency and thus maximize profit.
Energy conservation is the reduction of quantity of energy used. Energy conservation supports the eco friendly lifestyle by providing energy, which saves your money and at the same time saves the earth. When you decrease the amount of energy you use you automatically make efforts to reduce increasing global warming.
Brief Description
Sources of energy conservation:
Sources of energy conservation are Solar Energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, wave energy, hydroelectric energy, and biomass energy.
Energy Conservation Tips:
1) Interior Lighting: [lamp/luminaries, bulb, fluorescent (standard/compact)] Good energy management can easily cut lighting energy by half.
o Use fluorescent tubes in preference incandescent bulbs.
o Consider the purchase of compact fluorescent lamps/luminaries (CFL)
o Avoid “long-life” bulbs. They are 20% less efficient than the standard bulbs.
o Dimmer switches can save energy when used with incandescent lighting fixtures
o Turn off all lights, when someone is not occupying the washroom, closets and in-frequently used area.
2) Office Equipment: [printer, scanner, photocopier, facsimile/fax, calculator, cash machine, paper shedder, detacher, transformer (power)
o All office equipment is to be in accordance with the suppliers/manufacture operational procedure manual; failure to comply can and would result in poor equipment operation and failure.
o Use as necessary or as the need arise. All nuisance use or non- work related task and assignments are to be avoided.
o Do not leave transformers plugged into the wall outlet receptacle; disconnect (turn-off the outlet switch) and isolate (remove) all transformers at the end of the working day.
o Shut off unnecessary computers, printers, and copiers that are not in use and close-down/disconnect at the end of the working day.
3) Computer & Electronic (Operational) Equipment: [personal computers, electronic (processing) equipment]
o For efficient use it is recommended that all personal computers (PC’s) utilize the power management option. Suggested Settings:
a) Monitor – 15 min.
b) Hard Disk (Central Processor Unit) – 25 min.
c) System Standby – 30 min.
d) Screen Saver – 1 min.
e) Additionally, use the automatic save feature when working in all applications, preferable at one (1) minute intervals.
o Shut off unnecessary computers, printers, and copiers that are not in use and close-down/disconnect at the end of the working day.
4) Air Conditioning: [air conditioner unit (window, split, central)]
o All office windows are to be covered by light coloured blinds/curtains or screens. E.g. white, beige, light cream, to reduce heat conduction, radiation and convection
o All doors, windows and openings are to be thermally sealed and kept closed on entry/exit to reduce unit over-work
o Depending on occupancy level and local area disposition, room air conditioners [window type units] can be replaced by more energy efficient split units or central air conditioners
o Set thermostat/temperature control to “auto”. The “fan-on” setting will increase energy use
o Do not use ceiling fans with the air conditioner unless the thermostat for the air conditioner is set higher than normal
Natural Cooling:
o Fans should not run in rooms that are unoccupied
o Open windows as wide as possible to admit cool circulating breeze and fresh breeze
5) Domestic Refrigeration, Heating & Ventilation: [refrigerator, freezer, chillers, water fountains, water heater, fans, ventilator]
o Be conscientious and mindful of the time spent with the refrigerator door open, during the entry and/or retrieval of items.
o Use as the need arise; however before opening (the door) think and decide on what item, one wish to remove from the appliance.
o Set the level on the temperature control (thermostat) at 3 or 4 depending on the quantity of the items in the refrigerator (medium level or full).
o Allow warm food to cool before storing in the refrigerator.
o Make sure that air spaces under/beneath and behind the refrigerator allows for the free escape of hot air currents
o Place refrigerator and/or freezer away from direct exposure to heat sources such sunlight and stoves.
6) Cooking, Domestic Equipment, Laundry & Clothes Drying: [oven, range/cooker, hot plate, microwave, toaster, blender/mixer, kettle, floor polisher, vacuum cleaner, dryer/blower, iron, television, video, radio/stereo, washing machine]
o All appliances must be turned off, when not in use.
o Microwave should be set at ‘medium or medium-high’ for 2 – 4 min duration.
o Kettles should be quarter filled for preparing a cup of coffee or tea.
o Stove/oven/ ranges are to be set on the medium range at 2 – 3 temperature level.
Measures by the Government of India for conserving energy in buildings:
ECBC, Energy Conservation Building Code
Building have energy conservation code, which is made by government in India,, i.e., ECBC. It is the norms of the energy requirement per sq meter of area and takes into consideration the climatic region of the country where the building is located .It aims at increasing awareness about efficient use of energy and its conservation in new commercial buildings.
References:
http://www.ecoindia.com/education/energy-conservation.html
http://www.cyen.org/innovaeditor/assets/Energy%20Conservation%20Methods.pdf
http://www.energymanagertraining.com/ECBC/adv-BEE/ECBC-BEEadv28Mar2008.pdf
