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TIPS and hints for better building use |
Building design, its envelope materials, windows and doors used, are decisive to have a comfortable live standing. As the great part of building energy consumption is due to heating and cooling (more than 50%) and considering the long life of a building, pay attention to all those structural issues would be really cost effective.
Follow the tips below to increase energy efficiency and save money. |
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Envelope and insulation
- If you are considering reforming work, don't forget that correct thermal insulation can make significant energy and money savings. Reduce the heat losses by using double panes and insulation of the walls. Energy consume could be reduced by the half part (50%).
- Make sure the envelope seal, filling cavities and slits wherever air leakages are found.
- Also the colour of external facades is important due to its characteristic of reflecting or absorbing the light of the sun. Remember that White and clearer colours acts as reflectors, while black and dark tonalities are sun absorbers.
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Doors, Windows and passive solar |
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- For existing buildings, modifying the structure to improve insulation is usually difficult and not always cost-effective; however replacing single glazed windows with double-glazed units can significantly improve comfort due to the lower energy losses and noise reduction. The investment can be repaid relatively quickly.
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- If you cannot replace older doors and windows there are several things you can do to make them more efficient: Apply weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows can significantly reduce air leakage.
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- Do not use drapes or blinds to cover the windows and glazed face during winter days because they provide indoor space with natural daylight and allow sun heat to entry. Open the curtains and the sunshades in southern windows to allow the sun pass in the internal (Solar gain).
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- On the contrary, during summer (or in warm countries) if the problem is excessive internal heat and so that to defend from sun shines, there are small scale, low cost repairs, which can be carried out, such as adding exterior shades or interior movable shades (such as venetian blinds), using plants for shade, etc.
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General tips on how to saving electricity from electric appliances and electronic devices |
Two basic and simple hits to be observed:
- Take care when buying electrical appliances. Purchase energy-efficient products (such as Class A) and get used to look at the electric power (Wattage).
- Operate them efficiently: try to not use appliances if not necessary and switch off them when not used.
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Many electrical appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched "off”. That’s the so called “phantom load" which occurs in most appliances (also called “vampires”) that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. Most phantom loads increase the appliance's energy consumption a few watt-hours. A very common "electricity vampire" is a power adapter which has no power-off switch. Some larger products, like TVs, stereos incorporate the power adapter into the body of the product. Others use external power supplies, the familiar “wall packs” that increasingly compete for space in our outlets and power strips. These power supplies consume electricity whether or not the product is on or off, and even if it is disconnected! These phantom loads can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.
Other type of hidden electricity consumption incorporated in most electronic products is the well known stand-by mode, that can be turned on and off via a remote control. This is just a virtual disconnection because devices on stand-by consume roughly between 10 and 15% of normal conditions. Thus it is recommended to switch off completely if you are not going to used them.
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Tips for saving energy (fuel) in your car
The popular saying goes - if you search, you will find.
(This is a very simple tip to save energy, but many people don't do it.)
ACCELERATE AND BRAKE SMOOTHLY:
Accelerating smoothly from a stop and braking softly conserves fuel. Fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic and hard braking wastes fuel and wears out some of the car components, such as brakes and tires, more quickly. Maintain a safe distance between vehicles and anticipate traffic conditions to allow for more time to brake and accelerate gradually.
SLOW DOWN:
Drive 90 km per hour instead of 110 km/h on highways to save fuel. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates a 10-15 percent improvement in fuel economy by following this tip. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 95-100 km/h. Also, aim for a constant speed. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine. Using cruise control whenever possible on the highway helps maintain speeds and conserve fuel.
YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS:
Let overly aggressive drivers pass by at the first opportunity. It's easier that way. If you let them recklessly harangue and cajole you from behind, you may find yourself driving in an unsafe and inefficient way as well. It's better to let them by, smile and wave -- as they storm by in hasty frustration -- letting them waste their own fuel on their way to going nowhere fast.
KEEP TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED:
Pumped up: Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned to increase gas mileage by up to three percent. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by nearly 7 percents for every 1 atmosphere drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are also safer and last longer. Proper inflation levels can be found in your owner’s manual.
IDLE YOUR CAR LESS:
Idling gets 0 kilometers per liter. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gasoline at idle than do cars with smaller engines. Don't idle your car to warm it up. A better approach is to idle your car for only 20-30 seconds and then drive your car conservatively until it reaches the normal range of operating temperature. If you know you will have to wait more than one to two minutes, shut off your engine.
TURN OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING:
Air Conditioning is great in the hot summer months, but only use it when you really need to and just use the blowers the rest of the time - try to avoid opening the windows when driving at speed as this can increase aerodynamic drag which will waste more fuel. Running the air conditioning when you don't need it will waste a lot of fuel. At lower speeds, open the windows. This increased the drag and reduces fuel efficiency, but not as much as the AC at low speeds (55-65 km/h). The air conditioning - when used a lot - is known to use up about 8% of the fuel you put into your car.
START SLOWLY:
Don't take off fast from a traffic light -- keep it slow and gentle. It may help to drive as if you were balancing a cup of coffee on your lap.
PLAN AHEAD:
Don't race to a stop sign or traffic light and then brake hard to slow down. Also, try to accelerate before reaching a hill, not while you're on it. All of these tips will help you burn less fuel.
FILL THE TANK FULL:
If normally you have to travel a different direction to get gas, don't fill up for small amounts like 10 Euro because each trip to the gas station will result in traveling more miles and costing more gas.
LIGHTEN UP:
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 50 kg of weight in your vehicle could reduce your economy by up to two percent, which adds up over time.
TAKE IT OFF THE TOP:
A loaded roof rack, or even an empty roof storage container, can decrease your fuel economy by five percent, due to wind resistance.
HOLD ON UNTIL THEY ARE READY:
Don't start the car until everyone's in. Many people turn on the ignition, expecting the rest of the passengers to arrive momentarily... and sometimes that means a few minutes' wait, burning up gas (and creating toxic fumes in the immediate vicinity).
CONSOLIDATE TRIPS:
Plan ahead to consolidate your trips. This will enable you to bypass congested routes, idle less, and have fewer start-ups and less stop-and-go traffic. Whenever feasible, share a ride and/or carpool.
JUST PARK IT:
Don't circle the lot hoping for a great parking space. Take the shortest route to a free space and walk from there. Circling doesn't just waste gas, but is usually ultimately slower than simply parking somewhere a little less convenient and walking.
GO UNDER COVER:
Park in the garage or use covered parking whenever possible. This will help keep your gas from evaporating in the heat, but also keep the inside of the car cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, helping avoid excessive need for the air conditioner or defroster.
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