1. Electricity & electrical appliances
Lighting
* Lighting in your home can account for 15% to 20% of your electricity bill. Switch lighting on only when you need it, and switch it off when you don't.
* Utilise daylight as effectively as possible.
* When buying new lighting, consider choosing compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs unless you want to operate your lights with dimmers. These use 75% less energy to give the same amount of illumination, and last up to 10 times longer than conventional bulbs.
* Place you lighting carefully, and use 'task' lights where possible.
* For overall lighting, use one high wattage lamp to replace several low wattage lamps.
* Use dimmers where possible (except for fluorescent lamps).
* Use non-opaque, light-coloured lamp shades.
* Choose a light coloured, high-reflectivity decoration scheme for your main living areas.
* Keep light fixtures and lamps clean to maximise their efficiency.
Air-conditioning
* When buying an air-conditioner, check its Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). A minimum EER of 2.2W/W (or 7.5 Btu/h/w) is recommended; the higher the number, the better it is.
* Use ventilator fans instead of air-conditioning where possible.
* Try not to install any air-conditioner in direct sunlight.
* Do not obstruct input or output air vents.
* Close off areas that do not require air-conditioning, and turn units off in unoccupied areas.
* Keep windows and doors shut when the air-conditioner is running, and draw curtains or blinds to keep direct sunlight out.
* Clean or replace the filter in all air-conditioners at the beginning of the cooling season. Check and clean filters bi-weekly from then on.
* Weather-strip doors and windows to prevent the leakage of cooled air.
* Use timers if possible, to switch your air-conditioning both on, and off.
* Many people set their air-conditioning too low. Just set the cooling to an energy-efficient temperature - so that your home feels comfortable, rather than cold.
Refrigerator
* When buying, choose a high energy-efficiency refrigerator. Single door models are the most efficient; then stacked double doors, then parallel double doors. Select the size best suited to your family's needs.
* Place your fridge away from direct sunlight, your oven or any other heat sources. Allow 30 cm clear space on both sides and above, and at least 4 cm behind.
* Do not choose too cold a setting - it simply wastes electricity.
* Cover all food stored, and arrange it so that cold air can circulate freely.
* Do not put hot/warm food into your fridge - let it cool to room temperature first.
* Try not to open and close the fridge too often.
* Close the door(s) properly, and make sure the seals and hinges are airtight. Check the seals by putting a sheet of paper between the door and the main body of the fridge. If the paper moves, your seals need replacing.
* Thaw frozen food by putting it in the refrigerator section the day before cooking.
* Defrost regularly if your refrigerator is not a frost-free or cyclic defrost model. Accumulated ice should not be more than 6 mm thick.
* Do not block the cooling coils at the back of the fridge, and keep them clean - accumulated dust causes warming.
* Empty and switch off your fridge if going on a long vacation.
Microwave & Electric Oven
PLUS : see ‘General Cooking Hints’
* Fan-forces ovens cost 35% less to run than a conventional electric oven.
* Microwave ovens are fast and very energy-efficient, ideal for cooking small quantities of food, or for re-heating. Consider using one in conjunction with your present cooker.
* Induction cook-tops are also more energy-efficient.
Electric Kettle
* Don't boil more water than you need. Use a kettle that switches off automatically when the water has boiled.
Washing Machine
* Choose the right size of washing machine for your needs.
* Front-loading, horizontal axis washers use less water and energy than top-loading vertical axis units.
* Wait until you have a full load before washing - a half load uses the same amount of energy as a full load.
* Use a low-temperature wash cycle as far as possible, and don't use too much detergent.
* A high-speed spin cycle saves energy in drying, especially if you also use a tumble dryer.
Tumble Dryer
* Whenever possible, hang-dry your washing outside.
* When buying a tumble dryer, choose a model with a moisture sensor and automatic stop feature.
* Clean the lint filter before each load.
* Do not overload: this blocks the airflow and drastically reduces drying efficiency. It's helpful to sort clothes and other items according to their thicknesses, then dry them in batches.
* Remove and fold or hang all items as soon as the dryer stops, to prevent wrinkling and reduce your ironing requirements.
* Remember that on very humid days, getting your clothes bone dry is a waste of time, as they will just get damp again.
Iron
* Iron all items in one session, to avoid having to reheat the iron.
* Make sure you select the appropriate thermostat settings. Iron high-temperature items first, then medium, then switch off and use the residual heat for lower temperature fabrics such as silk.
* Certain items, such as towels, underwear etc. do not need to be ironed.
* If your ironing is interrupted, e.g. by a visitor or a long phone call, switch off your iron to save energy and for safety's sake.
Water Heater
* Choose the right size for your family's needs - e.g. 15-20 litres storage capacity for a family of four - and one with a wide range of temperature control. Or use an instantaneous water heater.
* If you use a storage heater, make sure it is well insulated.
* Switch the heater off after use, or install a timer for maximum efficiency.
* Do not set to a very high temperature, and reduce the thermostat setting in summer.
* Take a shower instead of a bath. You'll save about 50% in water heating costs.
* A low-flow shower head also saves water and heating energy.
* Don't leave hot water running when shaving, rinsing dishes etc. Use cold water where hot water is not absolutely necessary.
* Keep the distance between heater and taps as short as possible.
Vacuum Cleaner
* Use a vacuum cleaner only when a brush or damp mop would not do the job more effectively.
* Empty the dust bag frequently; waiting until it is full makes your cleaner work much harder to do the same job.
* Switch off and inspect your cleaner if the motor housing becomes overheated, or there's a change in the sound of the motor.
Room Heater
* Choose an appropriate size, and type, of heater. Fan heaters distribute heat more efficiently than simple bar heaters; radiators give a more even background temperature.
* Before using any type of space heater, consider putting on warmer clothing, and also ways of preventing any cold air coming in.
* Keep the area to be heated to a minimum, and make sure doors and windows are properly closed to prevent heat loss.
* Use heaters with thermostats and timers to reduce energy consumption, and keep the temperature at a reasonable setting.
* Switch off heating about 30 minutes before going out.
Dehumidifier
* Choose units with a humidity setting to prevent unnecessary usage.
* Close the windows and doors when the dehumidifier is in use.
* Clean the condenser coil frequently.
Home Entertainment
* With any type of home entertainment - radio, T.V., stereo, computer - turn it on only when you're about to use it, and don't leave it running once you have finished with it.
* Use a radio, rather than the T.V., for background music.
* Pre-set equipment with a timer to switch off at bedtime.
Hair Dryer
* Towel your hair as dry as possible before use.
( Source: http://www.epd.gov.hk )
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