Energy Efficiency & Green Energies
A simple and immediate step you can take to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is to reduce your electricity consumption. For every unit of electricity you save, at least a half kilo of carbon dioxide emission is avoided at the power plant. And you will also save about 18 cents. Without too much effort most homes could save 100 units of electricity per month, which would translate to a carbon dioxide saving of 600 kg per year, and a monetary saving of over €200 per year. Why use Low Energy Lamps?
Smart Meters Smart electricity meters will be rolled out in Ireland from 2020. They will enable a good overview to be kept of ongoing energy consumption. In the meantime, be smart and read your electricity meter weekly to monitor your consumption. Kettle Use When making a cup of tea do not fill the kettle with water – you will not use it all and the heat will be wasted. Fill only what you need but make sure that the element is covered. Hot Water Heating water using gas or oil is generally more efficient than using electricity. If using an electrical immersion heater set the timer to produce enough hot water at the times you need it. Take a shower rather than a bath – it typically uses only one fifth of the energy. The Cooker Choose gas over electric cookers where possible as gas is more efficient, and a primary energy source (remember your electricity was probably produced using gas!). Always match your saucepans to the size and type of ring and keep the lid on to avoid waste of heat. For electric cookers keep the elements and plates clean. You can easily halve your energy consumption when cooking by opting for fast stir-fry recipes, and reducing the amount of water when boiling vegetables. When using the oven, avoid opening the door too often, as this will lose 20% of the heat. Use the oven sparingly and if possible use it to cook more than one item. FridgeKeeping the fridge cold uses up a great deal of electricity. Two door fridge-freezers will cost less than separate fridge and freezer. When buying a fridge, buy an ‘A’ rated one. When installing the fridge do not put in into direct sunlight or next to the cooker or heater as it will absorb the heat and be less efficient. Make sure the back is well ventilated. The coils at the back of the fridge should be cleaned regularly as they need to give off heat efficiently. Do not put hot or warm food in the fridge wait until it has cooled down. Also clean the inside of the fridge regularly, as a clean fridge will work more efficiently. FreezerWhen buying a freezer the size does matter, therefore, it is better to buy a combined system with fridge. Make sure it is well stocked. A half empty freezer means greater loss of energy when the door is opened. Clean and defrost on a regular basis. Set up times or dates when this should be done.The Washing Machine When using the washing machine or dryer, fill up the machines first to get the maximum effect and try and use low energy setting or lower temperature where possible. Make sure the filters are cleaned regularly. Dry clothes outdoors when the weather is fine. The DishwasherMake sure the Dishwasher is full before you start it – two half loads cost the same as two full loads. You can also stop the dishwasher before the drying cycle and open the door to let the dishes air dry. Stop leaving lights onGet into the habit of switching off the lights when you leave the room. Use overnight stand by or not. A television in standby mode can use up to half the electricity as when it is switched on. Consider switching off electrical equipment overnight. Do some research to find out what can be switched off and what should not be switched off. In some cases you may lose the setting if it is switched off e.g. digital boxes. Configure your computer to "energy saving" mode in which it will automatically change to the state of low consumption. Switching off the screen can save even more than just letting the screen saver run. Turning your computer off at night instead of leaving it on will save on average 25% of its annual energy bill. Remember you should turn off your computer whenever you are not going to use it for more than an hour. Green Energies for Homes, Businesses, Organisations and Government which can save costs and protect the Environment Consider using other energy sources, such as green energy, examples being
Government Actions The government has substantial resources and could become a leader in this field. It needs to implement a series of green sustainable energy projects to ensure Ireland's energy security and reduce costs and reduce environmental damage (including flood damage). These green energies would include public investment in and subsidies and tax incentives for :
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