As summer, the hottest season of the year, arrives today, energy consumption may increase without consumers realizing because of the school holidays and people spending longer at home. EDP, an electrical energy distributor from Espírito Santo, has prepared a few tips on how to use electricity correctly and efficiently.

Atips include keeping windows and doors closed when the air-conditioning is on, avoiding constantly peeking into the refrigerator and stockpiling as much dirty laundry as possible to avoid over-using of the washing machine. These tips, among many others, can make a difference and lower your monthly bill.

Vilmar Teixeira de Abreu, Customer Excellence Manager at EDP, highlights air conditioning as one of summer’s most energy-hungry devices. The recommendation is to turn off the air-conditioning if the room is vacant for an extended period of time.

“Our recommendation to stop air-conditioning devices from using too much energy is to leave all windows, doors and curtains closed to avoid heat entering the room, which could over-work the device”, said Abreu.

Abusing air conditioning during the summer may result in a significant increase in family energy bills.

Athose who relish hot showers even during the summer should keep their shower settings on “Summer”, saving 30% compared with the “Winter” setting.

If your washing machine has a 10 kilo load capacity, there is no need to turn it on for only a half load. The same applies to driers. Washing or drying only a few items wastes energy.

This also applies when ironing your clothes. Avoid using the iron several times a day to iron just one item at a time. Collect a big basket of clothes and iron them all at once. This may take a little bit more time, but it will reduce energy consumption.

More durable and cost-efficient LED lights are an excellent option for lighting. Remember to turn your lights off when leaving home and use sunlight whenever possible.

Painting your ceiling and walls with lighter colors means more light is reflected, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

It is worth noting that preventing waste does not mean sacrificing quality of life or productivity, it is simply a matter of using electrical energy correctly and efficiently.

Check out some tips that can help you reduce wasted electricity

Lighting

• It is important to take advantage of natural lighting during daylight savings time, avoiding the needless use of lights.


• The color of your ceiling and walls can affect the way an environment is illuminated. Ideally, use lighter colors that reflect lighting.


• Replace incandescent and fluorescent lights with more cost-efficient and durable LED bulbs.  Begin by replacing the lamps in the areas you most commonly use.

Light bulb comparison

Refrigerator or freezer

• Place your fridge or freezer away from sunlight and the furthest possible distance from the stove.


• Hot food must not be stored in the freezer or refrigerator. This forces the device’s motor to work longer.


• The rubber seal lining the door should always be kept in good condition, preventing cool air loss.


• Do not use the back of the refrigerator to dry clothes or cloths. Make sure the device is not touching the wall, as per the operating instructions (makes sure it is an average of 20 cm away).


• If the appliance is over ten years old, it may be time to think about a replacement. New refrigerator models are more cost-effective and efficient.

Air conditioning

• Nonly use air-conditioning in closed spaces. Ensure doors and windows are well sealed.


• Check the appliance’s power rating at the time of purchase, based on the size of the space where it will be installed.


• Always keep the air conditioning filter clean so that the appliance is not forced to work too hard.

Computer

• Turn your screen off whenever you take a break from work. This alone saves 70% of the computer’s energy consumption. Configure your monitor to turn itself off after a few minutes of inactivity, if possible.


• Turn you computer off completely, including the UPS, during longer breaks;


• Do not leave monitors, printers, sound systems, UPS and other computer accessories turned on unnecessarily.

Remember, it is important to keep electrical wiring at home in good condition and to distribute the electrical load evenly, avoiding the danger of overheating and potential current leakage. Another important tip is to check if a product has a Procel certificate for cost and energy efficiency.