May 21, 2019
Simple Tips
Thermal insulation
Proper insulation is a prerequisite for protecting each building from cold and heat.
To reduce heat loss you can:
close any inscriptions on doors and windows with insulating material, commercial adhesive tapes or silicone
do not overfire
close shutters and curtains on cold winter nights to keep the heat in the room
Construction buildings before 1980 usually do not have insulation.
To save energy you can:
add thermal insulation to the roof of the building
replace the windows with single glazing with new thermal insulators with double glazing
add insulation to the walls (externally performs better)
This will save you 15-40% energy savings
New buildings, built after 1980, if properly constructed, have the required thermal insulation. But beware:
If building blocks (slabs, beams, concrete columns) are not insulated, so-called “thermal bridges” are created and moisture can occur inside them due to the condensation of room air vapor. This phenomenon can also be observed in aluminum frames that do not have insulating properties. If you have such a problem and you can not proceed with manufacturing solutions, you need to ventilate more space.
Space heating
Take advantage of solar energy to heat your building. On sunny winter days let the sun come through the south windows.
If you have autonomous heating, do not set the thermostat above 20 ° C.
For every extra degree you are wasting up to 7% more energy.
If your space is extremely hot, check the thermostat and make sure that the heating system is closed before opening windows.
Do not cover the heaters with covers because their performance is significantly reduced.
Ensure that the burner is properly set and maintained and that the boiler is cleaned each summer by a specialist maintainer, who issues the maintenance certificate on the basis of legislation with measurements of the plant’s efficiency, exhaust temperature and carbon dioxide content; and soot.
Cooling – Air conditioning
Before you decide to buy an air conditioner, consider the alternative ways you can cool. Air conditioners consume large amounts of electricity at peak times and will cost you a lot of money. In addition, they pollute and also heat the environment. Do not be seduced by misleading advertisements that show air conditioners as a panacea and especially those that present them as energy and money savers. Just some are less energy-intensive than others.
In any case (whether you have air conditioning or not) you have to protect your building from the summer sun and excessive heat. This will significantly reduce the energy you will need to spend to cool off.
Shade all your windows. Select the appropriate shading system depending on the orientation of the window. In the south you prefer horizontal sunshades, fixed or mobile, in the east and west vertically. Shading outside the window is always the best.
Plant trees to shade your building, but also to create a better, favorable “microclimate” wherever possible. You will have a natural dew and a pleasant environment. Take advantage of the vegetation on the roof (improves thermal insulation, cuts off the effect of the summer sun), but also on balconies and semi-outdoor spaces (pergolas, etc.).
You prefer light colors on the outer walls, ceilings, and awnings.
Reduce internal heat sources. Install bulbs and low energy appliances. Do not use high energy-consuming appliances and heat the room (for example electric cooker, iron) at high heat. Spill the heat from your building with natural ventilation:
On hot days vent your building at all times and only at night
Skylights, stairway openings, ventilation chimneys, coupled with some openings at low points of the building can create very effective vertical ventilation without opening all of your windows.
If the outside conditions and openings of your building do not provide the necessary ventilation, install air intake and exhaust fans.
Install ceiling fans in the rooms. The ceiling fan cools while consuming little energy (as well as a common light bulb). You will feel cool, even at relatively high temperatures, so you can get rid of the need to install an air conditioner. Alternatively, use a floor fan. If you decide to buy air conditioner:
Be aware of its energy consumption as it will increase your bill, especially in the summer months.
Make sure it’s right for your space. Consult a qualified engineer rather than mere sellers before choosing. If you plan to install air conditioning for an entire apartment or building, request a study.
Adjust the air conditioner using a good wall thermometer and do not aim for a temperature lower than 26 ° C in the summer (try 28 or 27 ° C, you will probably feel cool).
Make sure that the windows are closed when the air conditioning system is operating so that valuable energy is not lost. You faithfully adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for installing and maintaining the air conditioner – filter cleaning is also required for health reasons.
Illumination
You let the natural light pass through as many sides as possible. This provides greater sufficiency and better distribution.
To better regulate natural lighting, you prefer mobile blinds, rather than curtains in windows.
You prefer light colors on the walls of your home as they make the interior environment brighter.
Make sure the lights are not lit in rooms when it is not necessary.
Prefer low general lighting and additional local lighting where you need it.
Use low energy light bulbs. A common incandescent lamp consumes as much as five times more energy than a fluorescent lamp that offers the same illumination. Low energy light bulbs may cost more than common light bulbs, but they have a lifetime of eight times and consume four times less current.
Regularly clean the luminaires and lamps.
Heater-hot water
Do not set the thermostat to the heater above 50 ° C.
Switch on your water heater as much as you need it, depending on your hot water needs and do not let it lit.
Prefer the shower from the bathroom to the bathtub.
You spend 3 times less power and water.
Do not allow your taps to drip and do not allow hot water to run unnecessarily.
Prefer a solar water heater instead of an electric water heater (the solar water heater can cover 70% of the annual hot water demand with a corresponding reduction in electricity consumption).
Appliances
Electric cooker
Washing machine
Choose a washing machine with low water and power consumption. There are several device-to-device differences.
For great energy savings, you can choose a new type of Hot Fill type washing machine that can be connected to the solar water heater.
It is proven that clothes clean as well at 60 ° C and 90 ° C and with new programs and cleaners even at 40 ° C. So, prefer operation at a lower temperature.
Make sure the laundry is evenly filled and you prefer to put all the quantity it fits (usually 5-6 kg of clothes) You are applying the manufacturer’s instructions to save electricity, water, detergent and good functioning of the appliance.
Connect the solar water heater (if you have it) with your washing machine for hot water.
When you are absent, close the washing machine’s water supply.
Dishwasher
You prefer to use the dishwasher during the hours of the night invoice and to choose the economic program.
Small Appliances
Before purchasing a device, be aware of its power consumption, as there are device-to-device differences (even in standby mode).
Small appliances generally consume less power than large ones, so whenever possible, prefer them.
Do not leave the TV, coffee maker, iron etc when you do not need it.
Turn off the TV, video and stereo from the device switch and not from the remote control, as these devices stay in stand-by mode and continue to consume power.
According to IEA data, electricity is waiting for electricity at the international stand-alone level of 5% -15% of household electricity consumption.
