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{{topic header| default.png |Energy efficiency}} | {{topic header| default.png |Energy efficiency}} | ||
'''Energy efficiency''' is a responsibility of both corporations and individuals. While most of us will have little say in how our workplaces are managed, we can make significant energy savings in our homes and every day lives. | '''Energy efficiency''' is a responsibility of both corporations and individuals. While most of us will have little say in how our workplaces are managed, we can make significant energy savings in our homes and every day lives. | ||
Revision as of 18:29, 5 November 2011
Energy efficiency is a responsibility of both corporations and individuals. While most of us will have little say in how our workplaces are managed, we can make significant energy savings in our homes and every day lives.
Buildings: energy efficiency by design
Good thermal insulation, use of thermal mass and passive solar design contribute to an efficient building.
Energy efficiency is best designed in from the start; however programs exist (such as that by the Clinton Foundation[1]) to enhance the energy efficiency of old buildings.
Reducing energy use at home
This is an often overlooked area of energy efficiency but is one that fast can give significant benefits in terms of reduced carbon output and lower energy bills. Many gadgets and everyday household items now consume electricity, and the easiest way to reduce their power usage is simply to turn them off when they are not in use.
Items such as televisions, stereos, computer monitors and even battery and mobile phone chargers all consume electricity even when in standby mode. Turning these devices off when they are not in use will have a significant long term impact on the amount of energy they consume.
When a lightbulb in any of your lamps break down you should evaluate existing low-energy-options on the market. Compare initial cost, estimated life-time and energy-use. Another thing to consider is the light quality: brightness and "light-colour". There is plenty of different alternatives in shops, but for most a LED-based light bulb will be the best choice.
See also: Personal factor four
Updated cooking methods in modern kitchens
Electric appliances#Tips_.26_Tricks_to_save_electricity
Reducing energy use in industry
Conventional engineering practice can be used to improve energy efficiency in many industry processes, this exciting field is expanding rapidly.
Die casting is an example of an industry process where this is being applied.
Recycling old and unused/unwanted objects and materials (such as glass, tin cans, aluminium cans, plastic bottles, paper from newspapers, magazines) in the process of creating new objects will save some amounts of energy as opposed to creating those objects from new unprocessed raw materials. However materials must be sorted properly to not be contaminated with other parts or materials that will destroy the process.
Some countries have created national/regional schemes that pay the customers small symbolic amounts per can and bottle, to make them bring back all old containers and useful materials to the shop (for transport back to the producers factories)
See: Industrial ecology (which deals largely with the elimination of physical waste but includes an awareness of energy efficiency).