Jan, 2022

What Can You Do To Prevent Global Warming from Getting Worse?

Global warming is a real and urgent problem. We don’t have to wait for the government to develop a solution. Each of us can make a decisive contribution to this problem by practicing a responsible lifestyle in small, everyday ways. This is the only sensible way to save the planet before it is too late.

Most of these ideas cost nothing; others require a little effort and investment but can save you a lot of money in the medium to long term (and not just thanks to eco-friendly incentives).

Replacing Incandescent Bulbs With Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Compact fluorescent bulbs consume 60% less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. Replacing traditional light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs would result in 136 kg of CO2 being released into the atmosphere annually. Furthermore, some companies distribute energy-saving light bulbs free of charge due to government incentives.

Raise the Thermostat by 2 Degrees in the Summer and Lower It by 2 Degrees in the Winter

Almost half of the energy we use in our homes is used for heating and cooling. We can reduce nearly one ton of CO2 per year with this little effort.

Don’t Leave Electrical Appliances on Standby

Use the off button on electrical appliances; a TV that is turned on for 3 hours a day (the average time a European spends in front of the TV) and left in standby mode for the remaining 21 hours consumes about 40% of its energy in standby mode.

Unplug Chargers

The electrical transformers in many devices, such as modems and cell phone chargers, remain on and provide power even when the device is turned off or unplugged. Each of these transformers consumes 1-5 watts, so if there are 12 transformers in a house, simply unplugging them when not needed will save 40 euros a year in electricity costs.

Wrap an Insulating Cloth Around the Boiler

This one step can save half a ton of CO2; setting the temperature below 50 degrees Celsius can save an additional 250 kg of CO2 per year.

Double-glazed Windows

This requires a small initial investment, but it will pay for itself in the long run as the house will be warmer with the same energy. Consider that you can save up to 70% energy.

Defrost Old Refrigerators and Freezers Regularly

Defrosted refrigerators and freezers are more energy efficient. If you can replace them, even better. Newer refrigerators have an automatic defrost cycle and are about twice as efficient as earlier models.

Cover Pots and Pans When Cooking

By doing so, the food will reach the required temperature faster, saving energy in meal preparation. Pressure cookers are even more efficient and can save up to 70%.

Use Appliances During Non-peak Hours

Electricity bills are lower on holidays and during the evening and night because demand is lower. Electricity is a commodity that must be produced and consumed, so when consumption is high, prices will rise. Many power plants are needed to absorb the peaks, but the better the demand is distributed over time, the fewer power plants will be needed.

Take a Shower Instead of a Bath

The amount of water needed for a shower is about a quarter of that needed for a bath, and it also requires energy to heat the water. By installing an energy-saving shower diffuser, you can save energy and precious water.

Recycling of Organic Wastes

About 3% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the decomposition of biodegradable waste. Recycling organic materials (or composting if you have a garden) can help alleviate this problem. Composting will release methane and foul odors, be sure to compost correctly with enough oxygen.

Do you have any other tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!

May, 2021

You Will Never Believe: Common Daily Habits That Are Killing the Environment

Many claim that it takes only three weeks for a person to form a habit. But the problem is that there are many daily human activities that are slowly, slowly destroying the environment. If you want to know what these activities are, read the article below!

#1. Commuting

Buying a car and commuting to work by car is now a trend, especially since now vehicles have become surprisingly affordable. For example, there are around 273.6 million motor vehicles in the United States alone. But, what people don’t realize is that when gasoline is burned, hazardous substances are released into the atmosphere and it is the precious environment that pays the price of these fumes. And, imagine if there are at least 200 employees in a company, how many greenhouse gases are being generated when these employees are driving their cars to work.

Now, I am not asking you to walk or cycle to work every day (especially if it concerns long distances), but what you can do is to take public transport or to carpool with your colleagues.

#2. Improper Disposal of Batteries and Ink

When your life is taken up by work, family problems and even the Covid-19 pandemic, you don’t give much, if not any, importance to the disposal of batteries and ink. But, what happens if household batteries are not disposed of properly?

Well, as household batteries have traces of mercury and some other toxic chemicals, they can affect both wildlife and aquatic life if they are released into the ecosystems.

However, did you know that ink cartridges can have a more toxic impact on the environment? When they are disposed of incorrectly, they can poison the soil they enter with chemicals and these chemicals accumulate in animals (through a process called biomagnification). And, of course, when these substances are passed through the food chain, they can also end up causing harm to human beings.

#3. Throwing Food as Waste

In some countries, such as China, Russia, Thailand and the Philippines, it is a formal and cultural courtesy not to eat everything on your plate. Instead, if you empty your plate completely during a meal, it would mean that you are still hungry and were not given enough food. However, throwing food is not recommended at all. And no, I am not saying that only because there are many unfortunate people who cannot have access to this basic necessity (even though that’s entirely true).

Throwing food is not a good idea because many forests are cleared and emissions are produced in the process of cultivation, transportation, and processing.

In addition, if waste food is not disposed of properly, it can increase organic matter in waterways and other aquatic environments and thus stimulate algae growth.

#4.Boiling Water With Electrical Appliances

Do you often boil water in the kitchen for your morning cup of coffee or use electric heating for hot showers? If so, let me tell you that these are extremely inefficient. Why? Well, the amount of energy required to boil water with electricity makes it one of makes it one of the most costly methods as compared to gas. And, since most of the electricity is produced by coal and diesel engines, using a boiler or a simple coffee maker can have a big toll on the environment.

#5. Washing One’s Face

Ok, let’s get this straight: I am neither blaming you for washing your face nor am I asking you not to wash it at all.

According to researchers, face washes that most people tend to use consist mainly of plastic exfoliating micro-beads, which pose as a serious environmental problem. These beads are dangerous to the marine life as they are not usually filtered during sewage treatment as they are too small. But once they are released into water bodies, they are swallowed by aquatic animals and as a result, these swallowed beads can poison their organs and damage their gills.

Do you know some other activities that can affect the environment? If yes, please share them with us in the comment section below!

Sep, 2020

9 Ways to Reduce Your Electricity Consumption at Home

Your home and some of your daily habits are extremely energy-consuming. In addition to environmental concerns, this also has a significant impact on your electricity bills. Here are some ways to help reduce your electricity consumption at home to lead a more sustainable life.

1) Choose Low-Energy Light Bulbs

They have evolved a lot! No more light bulbs that light up after five minutes or those that give off a yellowish light. Of all the models, LEDs and compact fluorescent bulbs are the most economical. On average, they last twelve times longer than a conventional incandescent bulb while consuming five times less.

To optimize lighting, look at the “lumen,” which corresponds to the light intensity of a bulb: the higher the number, the more light it diffuses, regardless of the number of watts. In any case, don’t forget to clean them regularly. They will shine brighter!

2) Do Your Laundry Without Spending Too Much Electricity

To reduce your electricity consumption related to your laundry’s maintenance, forget the dryer, if possible. It is the primary source of consumption in this area. If you can’t do without due to limited space outside or inside to dry your laundry naturally, opt for a dryer that automatically stops when your laundry is dry, thanks to a humidity sensor, and spin your laundry well before putting it in your dryer.

3) Don’t Forget to Clean the Lint Trap

As far as your washing machine is concerned, choose low-temperature washing as much as possible, without prewashing, or, even better, cold washing, because 90% of the electricity consumption of washing clothes is actually due to heating the washing water. You should also wait until your washing machine is full before starting it.

4) Turn off Electrical Appliances

Did you know that by turning off all the appliances in your home, you can save up to $80 per year? Television, stereo, and computer continue to nibble away at electricity, even in standby mode. So remember to unplug them after each use, not to mention the coffee machine or toaster in the kitchen.

5) Call a Professional

Taking advantage of the expertise of a professional to better save energy can be a great option. We often want to solve our insulation and heat loss problems, but we don’t always know where to turn for the right expertise. Energy efficiency inspectors are the best persons to advise you. With specialized equipment such as a thermal camera, they can direct you to the best decisions to make before starting any work. They will also let you know where the greatest heat losses are in your home. This way, you will be able to direct your work to the right places, such as changing a few old windows or redoing the insulation, and energy savings will multiply.

6) Opt for Thick Curtains

Putting thick curtains on all the windows will keep in warmth in winter coolness during summer. This will also allow you to save on heating and air conditioning bills.

7) Use Natural Lighting

To optimize your natural lighting, arrange your interior to favor natural lighting over artificial lighting. For example, place your desk or reading area near a window, especially since natural light is better for the eye. Similarly, open the curtains and shutters in your home as soon as it’s daylight and make sure no trees block your windows.

8) Make Economic Choices While Cooking

A few simple gestures and common sense can save energy in the kitchen:

cover pots and pans during cooking
reduce power as soon as the water boils
use a pressure cooker (faster and more efficient)

9) Turn off Lights When Leaving a Room

It’s a simple matter, but significant energy savings can be achieved by simply pressing the switch at each exit. Easy, isn’t it?

In everyday life, there are many simple gestures to adopt to reduce your energy consumption, and consequently, your electricity bill. We hope that these few tips have helped you to do so!

Tag Archives: Electrical Appliances