Energy Conservation

• Use a kettle and thermo flask instead of a hot water dispenser.

• Switch off appliances at the wall socket instead of going into a standby mode can save the typical household hundreds of dollar each year according to a study in UK.

• Do you really need that hot shower? How about switch off the heat towards the end of the shower and cool yourself at the same time. No point getting all sweaty after a shower.

• Switch off the iron well before you finish your ironing. The residual heat is enough to do the job.

• Use a fan instead of the air-conditioner.

• Set the air-conditioner to 25 degree. Most air-conditioners are most efficient at that setting. It prevents frequent cutting in and out of the compressor and prolong the life of the air-conditioner as well.

• Reduce air-conditioning cost by installing heat reflecting film on window panes.

• Placing plants near the windows is also a great way to cool the environment. They help to absorb the energy from the sun.

• Draw the curtains and shades on the sunny side of the house on hot days. Use a fan to draw cooler air into the house.

• Clean the aircon air filter frequently. At least once a fortnight.

• Do not leave the refrigerator door open unnecessarily. Place your groceries near by if you are putting stuff into the refrigerator instead of leaving the door open and walking a distance away to retrieve your item. Do not over-pack your refrigerator. Leave enough space for air to circulate.

• Empty your refrigerator and shut it down before going away for holidays.

• Use energy efficient bulb.

• Buy energy efficient electrical appliance. Look for products that carry the Energy Efficiency label.

• Where possible use alternate energy source, such as gas and solar power. Gas-powered water heater and solar-powered water heater are commonly available.

• Gas is environmentally friendly compared to electricity. In many power plants, electricity is generated by burning gas. By using gas directly, you are by-passing one stage in the process of extracting energy from fossil fuel, thereby avoiding the inevitable energy losses. Gas is generally cheaper as well.

• Plan heavy duty electricity usage during the off-peak hours at night. Some power companies charge a lower rate for off-peak usage. Power plant cannot just shut down during off-peak hours. By evening out the energy consumption, you can save money by making use of the cheaper rate.

Here are more tips on how to save electricity or gas while cooking

• Avoid having to use microwave for thawing by planning ahead and thawing frozen food in the refrigerator overnight.

• Use a lid for cooking utensils. Keep the lid tightly on to reduce heat loss.

• Plan your cooking to avoid wasting energy. Switch off the heater early and use the residual heat to complete the cooking process.

• Use the appropriate utensil size. Avoid over-size utensils.

• Use the right size burner for the job. Use a small flame as necessary.