|
|
 |
|
|
|
| [一覧] << 前の日記 |
次の日記 >>
|
 Energy Saving Tips for each month |
12月29日 (土) |
|
一般家庭に省エネのアドバイスを行うアメリカのオーパワー（Opower）が日本進出で、
電力会社と交渉を始めているとか・・・。
オーパワーは、電力・ガス会社と提携して、スマートメーターからのデータ解析と
消費者への省エネサービス提供事業を行うバージニアの会社だそうだ。
で、思い出したのが、エナジー・セイビング・カレンダー。
奇しくもバージニアのコーディネイターからもらった物で、
バージニア・メリーランド・デラウェアの電力会社の省エネ情報が月ごとに書かれているもの。
毎月、けっこうおもしろく読ませてもらった。
省エネ？ その前に、電気消せよ、
いかにもアメリカらしいアイデアに、思わず笑ってしまうものもあった。
まあ、電力会社のカレンダーだからね、使用量が減っても困るんだろ。
アメリカにいるときは、日本のやりかたは、重箱の隅をつつくようで、せせこましく、
うっとおしく感じることもあったから、郷に入っては・・・だよね。
オーパワーの施策も、日本に適した、かゆいところに手が届くような研究がなされるんだろうか。
では、カレンダーにあるアメリカの省エネ対策を伝授してしんぜよう。Try reading.
JANUARY -- HEATING TIPS
Clean and replace heating system filters once a month or as needed
for maximum airflow.
Make sure to have your heating system checked annually by a licensed technician.
Let the sunshine in. Open drapes and let the sun heat your home for free
(but remember to close them again at sundown so they help insulate).
Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed;
make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.
FEBRUARY -- REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER TIPS
Cover liquids and wrap food stored in the refrigerator.
Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
Vacuum clean the condenser coils of refrigerators and freezers
(in the back or at the bottom of cabinets) every three months or so.
Dust-covered coils impair the efficiency of compressor operations
and increase energy use.
Plan ahead and remove all ingredients for each meal at one time.
Each time the door of a refrigerator or freezer is opened,
its compressor has to run a bit longer to replace the cold air that spills out.
MARCH -- TIPS FOR SEALING AIR LEAKS
Find the obvious places where air can sneak into your home,
then make repairs to plug the leaks by caulking,
weatherstripping, and using plastic covers.
Use switch and outlet sealers to reduce the air leakage from these areas.
Close fireplace doors/dampers when not in use to reduce air infiltration.
Remember, new windows must be installed correctly to avoid air leaks around the frame.
Look for a reputable, qualified installer.
APRIL -- LAUNDRY TIPS
Follow detergent instructions carefully.
Over-sudsing actually hampers effective washing action
and may require more energy in the form of extra rinses.
Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
Avoid over-drying.
This not only wastes energy but harms fabrics as well.
Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from clothes with lighter weights.
MAY -- LANDSCAPING TIPS
Plant deciduous trees with high-spreading crowns (leaves and branches)
on the south side of your home to provide maximum summertime roof shading,
and trees with low crowns are more appropriate to the west,
where shade is needed from lower afternoon-sun angels.
avoid locating planting beds close to the home if they require frequent watering.
Ready, aim, sprinkle!
Water your lawn before 10 a.m.; this saves water from evaporation.
Don't overwater,
and avoid watering the street and sidewalk by properly aiming your sprinkler.
JUNE -- COOLING TIPS
Remember to clean or change your cooling system filters once a month or as needed.
During the cooling season, keep window coverings closed during the day
to prevent solar heat gain.
Set thermostat at 78 degrees or higher.
You can save 3-5% on your air-conditioning cost for each degree you raise the thermostat.
Switch your ceiling fans to run counter-clockwise;
you will feel 5 degrees cooler in summer.
JULY -- SAFETY TIPS
When unplugging an appliance, pull by the plug, not the cord.
If using an emergency generator during a power outrage,
be sure it's connected with a double-throw switch that's been properly installed.
The National Electrical Safety Code requires this and it's the law.
Look up and look around...
Power lines, transformers and other electrical facilities are often hidden
behind tree branches and bushes or are buried underground!
Don't overload outlets.
If you must use an extension cord temporarily,
match the amperage or wattage limits marked on the cord and appliance
to avoid a fire hazard.
AUGUST -- WATER HEATING TIPS
Don't buy a water heater that is too large for your family.
You might want to invest in a relatively inexpensive water heater insulation kit,
particularly if your water heater is older.
The older ones are generally not well insulated.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater;
a setting of 120F provides comfortable, hot water for most uses.
SEPTEMBER -- LIGHTING TIPS
Producing 75% less heat, ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs are safer to operate
and can cut home cooling costs.
Upgrading recessed down and canned lights to ENERGY-STAR-qualified
Light Emitting Diodes(LEDs) can significantly reduce operating,
maintenance, and cooling costs.
Outdoor lights are usually left on for long periods of time;
consider using CFL or LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs to save money and energy.
Use the new lighting labels that are now required on lighting package
to determine the lumen output of the bulb.
OCTOBER -- HAVE YOU SEEN THE "PHANTOM" LOAD?
Purchase a Smart Power Strip
that allows you to plug devices into a specially designated section of the strip
so devices will have minimal power when turned off.
Turning off home office equipment when not in use can result in enormous energy savings.
Unplug cell phone and battery chargers when they are not in use
and when the batteries are fully charged.
There is a difference in the electricity use of video game consoles.
If you're in the market for a game console, be sure to comparison shop.
The electricity use of game consoles can range from 19 watts to 197 watts.
NOVEMBER -- COOKING TIPS
Keep range-top burners and reflections clean;
they will reflect heat better and save energy.
Use your microwave oven whenever possible.
Microwave ovens draw less than half the power of their conventional counterparts
and cook foods in a much shorter period of time.
Glass or ceramic cookware hold heat better and longer.
You can reduce the cooking temperature by 25F, and your dish will cook just as quickly.
When roasting or baking, avoid making frequent progress checks
that entail opening the oven door.
Each time the door is opened, a considerable portion of the oven's heat escapes.
DECEMBER -- HOLIDAY SAVING TIPS
Only use holiday lights with an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) safety certification label.
To prevent short circuits and overloads, make sure light sets have fused plugs.
Avoid stringing holiday lights along aluminum siding, which can conduct electricity.
Turn the thermostat down when you have guests; extra bodies in the house means extra warmth at no cost to you.
お疲れ様。よいお年を。
|
|
|
|
| << 前の日記 |
次の日記 >>
|
|
|
|
