The correct use of electrical and household appliances in the household can lead to a reduction of 10-50% in energy consumption and, implicitly, in the monthly bill. Simply unplugging appliances that aren’t in use can save 8-10% of the electricity you normally use, and using smart thermostats can reduce your energy bill by another 15-20%.

It is also important to use new, energy-efficient equipment, according to an analysis conducted by the association Environ on the occasion of Earth Hour, an event that will take place this year on Saturday, March 23 at 8:30 p.m.

According to this analysis, the most common waste of energy is plugging in chargers for laptops, tablets or phones that consume electricity even when the corresponding devices are not connected to them. The observation is also valid if some electronic equipment such as a television, audio system, lamp or microwave oven is stored in an outlet, even if it is not in use; it adds 8 to 10% to your electricity bill.

The analysis provides several examples: a washing machine reduces electricity consumption by a third if a washing program with fewer degrees Celsius is used; to reduce electricity consumption, it is recommended to put the products in the refrigerator as cold as possible; the use of devices such as programmers or intelligent thermostats helps to manage energy consumption according to needs and plan it in periods with lower tariffs; a new, energy-efficient electrical appliance without technical problems will consume less than an older model with technical problems.

Top 7 devices in terms of consumption

1. Alternating current machine (775 kWh for 500 hours of operation)

2. Dryer (278.2 kWh)

3. Two-door refrigerator (150-400 kW/h)

4. Conventional refrigerator (324 kWh)

5. Dishwasher (258 kWh)

6. Built-in electric oven (400-500 kW/h)

7. Washing machine (360-400 kWh)

Evolution of electrical appliances in the household over time

The number and type of electronic devices used in the household have changed in recent years along with the progress of technology and people’s need for comfort, representatives of the Environ Association also testify.

If in the 90s you could find only a few basic things in a household, such as a TV, radio, refrigerator, washing machine, iron, vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, landline phone, sewing machine, then in the 2000s they became more and more common. devices such as computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, DVD players, hair plates, AC appliances, kitchen appliances, dishwashers, printers, Playstation and other gaming devices, as well as electric toothbrushes, mosquito repellent devices .

Today, every family member has at least one mobile phone, laptop or tablet. According to research by WEEE, if a household has multiple TVs, internet routers, game systems, Alexa assistants, smart watches or surveillance cameras, the average household may have up to 74 electronic devices, of which about 17 are not being used. Forum.

Eight basic rules for using electrical equipment in everyday life

1. Turn off and unplug equipment (TV, laptop, etc.) that you are not using, including chargers

2. Turn off the lights in rooms where you are not

3. Adjust the indoor temperature to a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius in the cold season and a maximum of 10 degrees Celsius below the outdoor temperature in the warm season

4. Do not use the maximum power of the stove/oven

5. Don’t run the washing machine for only a few items and choose short wash cycles

6. Induction stove is the most efficient cooking system

7. Cool the food before putting it in the refrigerator

8. Install smart sockets that you can control with your phone and thus see energy consumption in real time

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