Everymans Science

VOL. XLV NO. 5, Dec 10 Jan 11

SHORT COMMUNICATION

ENERGY SAVING OPPORTUNITIES IN SOME TYPICAL HOME APPLIANCES

Debasish Dewan*

Residential appliances and equipments use 30% of all electricity generated in Organization for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) countries, producing 12% of all Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions which is a primary contributor to global warming. Since 1973, primary energy demand in the residential sector in OECD countries has grown more than all other sectors apart from transport. There are many simple ways to use energy more efficiently that will save fuel as well as money, make the home more comfortable and benefit the environment. 20% of the energy bills can be saved every year by taking some simple actions. Calculating energy use based on a description of the house and appliances can help identify the best opportunities for energy savings. Knowing how much electricity each of appliances uses will also give a clearer picture of where the energy cost is going. Powered with this knowledge, one can use energy more efficiently and trim the energy budget.

ENERGY USE CALCULATION

by the appliance. The amperes might be stamped on the unit in place of the wattage. If not, find a clamp-on ammeter, an electricians tool that clamps around one of the two wires on the appliance to measure the current flowing through it. The reading, while the device is running, is the acutal amount of current being used at that instant. To estimate the amount of energy a specific appliance consumes the following formula can be used : Wattage Hours Used per Day No. of Days used in a year = Annual watt hour (Wh) consumption. 1 Kilowatt hour (k Wh) = 1000 Watts hour = 1

o estimate how much electricity the home appliances consume, one can generally find

the wattage stamped on the bottom or back of the appliances or on its nameplate. The wattage listed is the maximum power drawn by the appliance. Since many appliances have a range of settings (for example, the volume on a radio), the actual amount of power consumed depends on the setting used at any one time. If the wattage is not listed on the appliance, it is estimated by finding the current drawn (in amperes) and multiplying that by the voltage used
* Executive Engineer (Mech.), MTPS, Damodar Valley Corporation, W.B, India, E-mail: dewandvc@gmail.com

unit power consumption.

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VOL. XLV NO. 5, Dec 10 Jan 11

Table 1 : Energy Consumption of Some Typical Home Appliances. Device (capacity & size) Incandescent lamp (Bulb) Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Fluorescent Tube Light With Copper choke With Electronic choke VCR/DVD Ceiling Fan 36/48 (inch) 56 (inch) 60 (inch) Table Fan (12/16 inch) Immersion Rod Air Conditioner 1.0 ton 1.5 ton Air cooler Refrigerator Small Big Wattage 25/40/60/100 7/11/12/27 Deivce (capacity & size) Vacuum Cleaner Electric Kettle Washing Machine Automatic Semi-Automatic Mixture Juice (big) Water Purifier Radio Tape Recorder Night Lamp Television Personal Computer CPU - awake/asleep Monitor - awake/ asleep Electric Heater Electric Iron Domestic Dhobi Wattage 1000-1400 1000/2000

55 35 17-21/20-25 50 60 70 40 1000/1500 1400 1800 170 225 300

325/1000 200 450 25 15 20 15 100 120/30 or less 150/30 or less 1500/2000 450/700 1000

Table2 : Example of Energy Bill for Some Home Appliances. Hours per Day 6 6 4 Days per Year 340 340 340 Convert k Wh to k Wh Rate (Rs.) 1000 1000 1000 4 4 4 Cost per = Year (Rs.) = = = 816 163 8160

Appliances Bulb Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Electric Heater Air Conditioner (1 ton)

Watts 100 20 1500

1400

14

140

1000

10976

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SOME TIPS AND GUIDANCE FOR SAVING ENERGY COST Lifecycle Cost The sum of the purchase price and the energy cost of running an appliance over its lifetime are called its lifecycle cost. Over the life-span of an appliance the energy cost can be many times greater than the initial cost. The lifecycle cost of an energy-efficient appliance is typically lower than the lifecycle cost of an average model. For example Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are the highly efficient alternative to standard incandescent bulbs. A single 20-watt CFL will provide the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb and last up to seven times longer. Because CFLs use less energy and last longer, the life cycle cost of CFL is less than the Bulb (Table-2), and may save up to several times their purchase price each year through reduced electricity bills and fewer replacement of bulbs. Loss of Phantom Power Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These phantom loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, Televisions, Stereos, Computers, and Kitchen appliances. Most phantom loads will increase the appliances energy consumption a few watts per hour. These 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. Lighting Use Energy Efficient Bulbs (CFLs) instead of traditional Bulbs-they use 1/5th the energy and last upto 7 times as long.

Refrigerators and Freezers Refrigerators, although turned on all the time, actually cycle on and off at a rate that depends on a number of factors. These factors include how well it is insulated, room temperature, freezer temperature, how often the door is opened, if the coils are clean, if it is defrosted regularly, and the condition of the door seals. To get an approximate figure for the number of hours that a refrigerator actually operates at its maximum wattage, divide the total time the refrigerator is plugged in by three. However,

Dont leave the door open for longer than necessary, cold air escapes. Avoid putting hot or arm food straight into the freeze by allowing it to cool down first. Defrost the freezer regularly to keep it running efficiently and cheaply. If it tends to frost up quickly, check the door seal. Place your refrigerator or freezer away from heat sources such as the oven, dishwasher, heating vent or direct sunlight. Only boil as much water as needed. Use a Microwave instead of the Oven and the Toaster instead of the Grill when ever possible. Televisions, Videos, Stereos and Computers : cut down on wasted energy, by switching appliances off completely rather than leaving them on standby.

Other Appliances

CONCLUSION Reducing energy bill reduces the Environmental pollution associated with energy production and has a positive effect on National security and the Economy. So, it is required to save Energy for benefit of self and Nation. REFERENCES 1. The Bulletin on Energy Efficiency, 7(3) December, 2006 2. Bureau of Energy Efficiency website. 3. U.S Department of Energy website.
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Turn off lights in empty rooms and corridors. This can save up to 15% of the lighting bill. Use just the light in need. Use daylight freely, so keep windows and skylight clean and clear and adjust the curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible during the day. Clean light fittings annually, dirt reduces light efficiency.