Green Tips to Save the Earth - ELECTRICITY

CUT YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS

1. Make sure you turn off all lights and electrical appliances like air-conditioners and heaters when you are not using them.
2. Replace, where appropriate, electrical appliances with Grade 1 or Grade 2 Energy Labels, They are cheaper in the long run.
3. Use automatic timers to control appliances to avoid wasting energy.

Lighting

4. Use the minimum number of lights. Turn off lighting if it is not needed.
5. Use sunlight as far as possible.
6. Use energy-saving bulbs which are cooler, like halogen bulbs, fluorescent tubes and energy efficient compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs rather than the conventional incandescent bulbs. The CF bulbs give off a warm, bright light but use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer than the conventional incandescent bulbs.
7. Keep bulbs and fittings clean for maximum brightness and reflectiveness.
8. Use low-wattage bulbs in areas where bright light is not necessary.
9. Turn off lighting if it is not needed. Affix "Save Energy" stickers near the switch as a reminder.
10. Replace conventional electromagnetic ballasts of fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts.
11. Use dimmers where possible (except for fluorescent lamps).
12. Use non-opaque, light-coloured lamp shades.
13. Choose a light coloured, high-reflectivity decoration scheme for your main living areas.

Computers

14. Set PCs to hibernation mode or standby mode where applicable.
15. Turn off the master switch of printers connected to PCs when not in use. 
16. Turn off the monitor when you leave your office, even for a short meeting.  "Screen saver" does not save much energy (less than 10%).

Air-conditioning 

17. Avoid installing your air-conditioner in direct sunlight which could jeopardize the cooling effect.
18. Seal the gaps around doors and windows and keep them closed when air-conditioners are in use.
19. Draw curtains or blinds to keep the sunlight out.
20. Avoid blocking the input and output air vents of your air-conditioner.
21. Pre-set air-conditioner to 25.5^oC which is a comfortable energy efficient temperature.  For every one degree Celsius cooler you set the temperature, your power consumption will increase by 10%.
22. At night, set your air-conditioner to "low cool" and use the timer to switch it off about one hour before you wake up.
23. During summer, clean your air-conditioner at least once a month to ensure it works efficiently.
24. Apply anti-ultraviolet film to window glazing exposed to strong sunlight.
25. Use fan instead of air conditioner as far as possible.

Refrigerator

26. Select a fridge size best suited to your family's needs. For a family of three to four, 140 to 170 litres is normally suitable.
27. Ensure the door seal is completely air tight and make sure the door is not left open when not in use.
28. The food section is best kept at a constant temperature of 3^oC and the freezer compartment at 0^oC. Every degree lower means a 5% increase in running costs.
29. Make sure your fridge is in a cool place away from direct sunlight, an oven or other sources of heat.
30. Always keep the cooling coils at the back of the fridge clean.
31. Allow hot food to cool before placing it in the fridge.
32. Don't over-crowd your fridge's shelves, allow cool air to circulate freely.
33. Thaw frozen food by putting it in the refrigerator section the day before cooking.
34. Empty and switch off your fridge if going on a long vacation. 

Heaters

35. In winter, reduce the need for heaters by making the best possible use of sunlight.
36. Ensure doors and windows are closed and gaps are properly sealed. Thick curtains reduce heat loss.
37. For savings and safety's sake, turn off all heaters about 30 minutes before going out.

Washing Machines and Tumble Dryers

38. Wait until you have a full load of washing to save electricity and water.
39. Use cold or mild water for washing and rinsing.
40. Dry your clothes in the sunshine and fresh air whenever possible.
41. Reduce dry-cleaning.

Save on Gas

42. Always maintain your gas cooking utensils. It's a good idea to get a check-up every six months to make sure everything is burning efficiently.
43. Using microwave ovens and slow cookers can cut your fuel costs by up to 70%.
44. A pressure cooker saves up to 2/3 cooking time, saves energy, and preserves the goodness in your food.
45. Use the right size of rice cooker for your family - an oversized cooker wastes energy.
46. Do not cook too far ahead of meal time - reheating/ keeping food warm simply wastes energy.

Burner

47. Adjust the flame of the burner to hit bottom of pan. Fuel is wasted if flames leap up the side of the pan. Food cooks faster if it is put nearer the burner or grill.
48. Cover pots or saucepans to retain heat when cooking. It reduces cooking time and saves fuel costs by as much as four times.
49. Use the simmer burner rather than the oven to re-heat food and casseroles.
50. Do not put more water in kettles or pans than you need.

Oven and Grill

51. Plan your menu to make full use of your oven space. For example, when roasting or baking, use the lower area for cooking rice pudding, fruit pies or sausages.
52. Use the grill to its full capacity. It is cheaper to toast several slices of toast at a time rather then separately.
53. Do not spend too long pre-heating your oven: 10 minutes is usually enough.

Electrical or Gas Water Heater

54. Take a shower instead of a bath. It can save two and a half times the amount of water and fuel.
55. When hot water is not in use, switch off the pilot light.
56. Have your water heater inspected from time to time to ensure its efficiency and safety.
57. A low-flow shower head also saves water and heating energy.
58. Choose electric storage water heater or domestic gas instantaneous water heater with energy label.