6 Energy Guzzling Appliances

AIR-CONDITIONERS
A single split-unit-air-con consumes about 250kwh per month if user for 7 hours every day. The cost $60.18 a month
How to save energy:
* Consider a multi-split system if you require more than one room to be cooled.
* Ensure that the unit is the right capacity to match the amount of cooling required.
* Clean the sir-con filter regularly and have the unit inspected annually. Poorly maintained equipment waste energy.
* Set the thermostat at 25 degC. It is a comfortable temperature for most, yet will not consume that much energy.

REFRIGERATORS
A 300 litre frost-free unit will consume about 115 kwh a month if switched on year round. The cost $27.51 a month.
How to save energy:
* Choose a model with an energy-saver switch which will allow you to determine the setting that provide maximum energy savings without causing condensation.
* Adjust the themostat to the recommended settings
* Allow hot food to cool before putting it in the fridge and cover all food and liquids to prevent moisture from being released. Moisture increases the amount of energy that will be used during the fridge’s defrosting cycle.
* Do not open the door unnecessarily as the cool air will escape.

WATER HEATERS
A 1000 watt instantaneous of tankless unit uses 60 kwk if used for a total of 2 hours daily. The cost $14.33 a month.
How to save energy:
* Use an instantaneous water heater instead of one with a storage tank. The former provides hot water only when needed.
* If you prefer a storage water heater, choose one with a capacity of 23 litres to 27 litres, which is enough for a family of 4 to 6. The bigger the capacity, the more energy consumed.
* Switch on the storage water heater just 20 minutes before taking a bath. Switch if off after that.

WASHING MACHINES
A 450 watt unit without heater consumes 13.5 kwh if used for an hour each day. The cost $3.22 a month.
How to save energy:
* Wash a full load of laundry each time.
* Do not use hot water to wash clothes as heating up the water sucks up more energy. If you must have hot water, using cold water during the rinse cycle will cut energy use by half.
* Do not put too much detergent to avoid having to wash or rinse the load again.
* Pre-soak or use a soak cycle when washing heavily soiled items to asvoid 2 washings.

TELEVISION SETS
A 26-inch conventional TV set consumes about 30 kwh a month if used for 5 hours a day. The cost $7.16 a month.
How to save energy:
* When watching TV, keep the lights in the room low. This saves electricity and reduces glare from your screen.
* Switch off the set when not in use, including the main switch.
* Choose a conventional CRT TV set instead of a plasma set. The latter consumes about 4 times more energy.
* Alternatively, choose an LCD set instead of a plasma set as it consumes less energy.

COMPUTERS
A 300 watt unit, about the maximum power of a 24-inch iMac– consumes about 36 kwh a month is used for 4 hrs a day.
How to save energy:
* Set the power to automatically go into sleep or standby mode after 15 minutes or so of inactivity.
* Switch off the computer when not in use for long periods. This applies to the main switch too.
* Use LCD monitors as they consume half to two-thirds what cathode ray tube monitors do.
* A laptop uses up to 50% less energy than a desktop.

Source: Singapore Power & NEA