Energy Saving

My wife is very concerned with saving energy. She prides herself to have lived in a small village lost in Rodrigues, La Ferme, where and when there was no electricity available and amenities, such as petrol, water, paper that we now take for granted as plentiful, were scarce. Having lived in such conditions, she can more readily part with them. She has naturally built up reflexes to use these modern facilities much more efficiently that I who have lived in opulence. No wonder she keeps on telling me to switch off the lights, or electric appliances when not is used.

Her biggest joke is: the settee sofa is enjoying the TV program!

We saved over 3000 rupees per month of electricity when we changed our fridge of equivalent size from the 60’s model to the new energy saver model. Can you image that?

In Your Home – Conserve Energy

1. Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month.
2. If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.
3. Lower the thermostat on your water heater.
4. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.
5. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.
6. Set your refrigerator temperature at 0 to 5 C and your freezer at -15 to -5C.
7. When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.
8. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.
9. Unplug seldom used appliances.
10. Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove.
11. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
12. Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended.
13. Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.
14. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models.
15. Only use electric appliances when you need them.
16. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
17. Insulate your home as best as you can.
18. Install weather stripping around all doors and windows.
19. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
20. Plant trees to shade your home.
21. Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means.
22. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.
23. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible.
24. Connect your outdoor lights to a timer.