Stand-by and off-mode losses
Standby functions (e.g. remote control activation of a television set) and off mode losses (occurring when a product cannot be switched off completely when providing no service/function) are a common feature of electrical and electronic household and office equipment (consumer electronics, information and communication technology equipment, personal care products, etc.). In general these products compete on highly price sensitive markets. On the other hand users are often not aware of the electricity consumption and costs of standby/off mode, which are usually small for a single product[3], therefore low power consumption in standby/off mode is not an important purchasing criterion. However, a typical household is in general equipped with dozens of products featuring the standby/off mode, and the resulting energy consumption and related costs are significant.
Technical solutions that reduce energy consumption in standby/off mode are frequently not applied, mostly due to possible additional costs for the manufacturer albeit in general very low (i.e. several Euros). Nonetheless, a slightly higher purchasing price pays off for the user because the overall life cycle cost, i.e. the purchasing cost plus the costs for operating the product, is reduced. This leads to electricity consumption and related costs being (much) higher than necessary.
Electrical and electronic household and office equipment featuring the standby and off mode is sold in vast numbers throughout the Community. Electricity consumption related to standby and off mode is significant, and significant cost effective improvement potentials exist.
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Wednesday, 9 July 2008
10 cool energy-saving tips for around the house
Rising gasoline prices will probably mean fewer escapes this summer to the shore or the mountains. And for those on fixed incomes, the cost of keeping cool may stretch finances to the limit.
With that in mind -- and with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy and the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy -- here are some tips for being more efficient as the heat rolls in:
Chill out.
On days when air-conditioning isn't crucial, open the windows and use portable or ceiling fans. When air-condition you must, use a fan with your window unit to push the cool air farther.
Keep TVs and lamps away from your thermostat.
The heat they generate can make central air-conditioning run longer.
If your air conditioner is old, upgrade to a newer model.
It could save you up to 50 percent on your electricity bills. Look for a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of 14 or higher on central systems and the Energy Star label on room units.
Consider installing a whole-house fan or evaporative cooler.
Ceiling and other fans provide additional cooling and better circulation, so you can raise the thermostat and cut air-conditioning costs. Energy Star-rated ceiling fans do even better, moving air up to 20 percent more efficiently than other models.
Why get warmer?
Air-dry your dishes instead of using the dishwasher's drying cycle. Use the microwave or barbecue grill instead of the range or oven.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater.
Set it at 115 degrees.
Take showers instead of baths.
This will reduce hot-water use. Wash full loads of dishes and clothes; use cold water to wash clothes, and do it at non-peak hours.
Avoid using lots of unshaded rock, cement or asphalt as landscaping on the south or west sides of your house.
It will raise the temperature around the house and radiate heat to it even after sunset.
Proper insulation can increase your comfort and reduce your cooling costs up to 30 percent.
Start in the attic, where temperatures can reach 115 degrees, followed by exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces. Insulate and seal attic air ducts, too.
During the cooling season, keep your house closed tightly in the daytime to keep heat and humidity out.
Don't run a dehumidifier at the same time as the air conditioner. Dehumidifiers give off heat and will force the air conditioner to work harder.
Prescription: Sunblock.
Sunny rooms mean air conditioners must work harder. Put up light-colored window shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close south- and west-facing window curtains during the day.
Think ahead.
A well-maintained cooling system will run more efficiently and use less energy. So be sure to clean or replace AC filters monthly, or as needed. Also, keep both outdoor and indoor air-conditioning coils clean. Dirt buildup on the indoor coil is a major cause of poor operating efficiency.
Back to nature.
Shrubs should shade air-conditioning units -- a shaded unit uses less electricity -- but be sure the shrubs don't block airflow.
Plant leafy trees on the house's south and west sides.
They'll help keep things cool in the summer and, after the leaves drop in the fall, let the sun's warmth shine in.
continue
With that in mind -- and with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy and the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy -- here are some tips for being more efficient as the heat rolls in:
Chill out.
On days when air-conditioning isn't crucial, open the windows and use portable or ceiling fans. When air-condition you must, use a fan with your window unit to push the cool air farther.
Keep TVs and lamps away from your thermostat.
The heat they generate can make central air-conditioning run longer.
If your air conditioner is old, upgrade to a newer model.
It could save you up to 50 percent on your electricity bills. Look for a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of 14 or higher on central systems and the Energy Star label on room units.
Consider installing a whole-house fan or evaporative cooler.
Ceiling and other fans provide additional cooling and better circulation, so you can raise the thermostat and cut air-conditioning costs. Energy Star-rated ceiling fans do even better, moving air up to 20 percent more efficiently than other models.
Why get warmer?
Air-dry your dishes instead of using the dishwasher's drying cycle. Use the microwave or barbecue grill instead of the range or oven.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater.
Set it at 115 degrees.
Take showers instead of baths.
This will reduce hot-water use. Wash full loads of dishes and clothes; use cold water to wash clothes, and do it at non-peak hours.
Avoid using lots of unshaded rock, cement or asphalt as landscaping on the south or west sides of your house.
It will raise the temperature around the house and radiate heat to it even after sunset.
Proper insulation can increase your comfort and reduce your cooling costs up to 30 percent.
Start in the attic, where temperatures can reach 115 degrees, followed by exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces. Insulate and seal attic air ducts, too.
During the cooling season, keep your house closed tightly in the daytime to keep heat and humidity out.
Don't run a dehumidifier at the same time as the air conditioner. Dehumidifiers give off heat and will force the air conditioner to work harder.
Prescription: Sunblock.
Sunny rooms mean air conditioners must work harder. Put up light-colored window shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close south- and west-facing window curtains during the day.
Think ahead.
A well-maintained cooling system will run more efficiently and use less energy. So be sure to clean or replace AC filters monthly, or as needed. Also, keep both outdoor and indoor air-conditioning coils clean. Dirt buildup on the indoor coil is a major cause of poor operating efficiency.
Back to nature.
Shrubs should shade air-conditioning units -- a shaded unit uses less electricity -- but be sure the shrubs don't block airflow.
Plant leafy trees on the house's south and west sides.
They'll help keep things cool in the summer and, after the leaves drop in the fall, let the sun's warmth shine in.
continue
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Fuel cells will help energy security United States Senate told
The drive to expand renewables will also benefit the fuel cell industry according to a presentation to the United States Senate by the chief executive of UK based Intelligent Energy.
The Senate briefing on ‘Building Markets for Hyrdogen and Fuel Cells: UK – US bridging Technology’ was told by the company’s chief executive Henri Winand: “Together, hydrogen and electricity have the potential to offer significant additional profit opportunities for national electricity and power generating companies, both in terms of reduced capital expenditure and increased energy efficiency.”
The briefing was organised in Washington DC by the National Hydrogen Association, the US Fuel Cell Council and the Methanol Institute.
During the session Mr Winand detailed various projects including the joint venture between Loughborough based Intelligent Energy with Scottish & Southern Energy to deliver small scale Combined Heat and Power systems for the light industrial, commercial and residential markets in the UK and Ireland.
Fuels cells are also being developed for motorcycles, hybrid cars and air transport.
He added that he believed the potential for the introduction of fuel cells was increasing due to fuel prices and issues over energy security.
A company spokesman said: “Hydrogen and electricity work best together when significant amounts of renewable electricity are introduced on to the grid, as is now the case.
“Hydrogen then acts as a buffer between intermittent renewable power generation and end consumer demand.”
continue
The Senate briefing on ‘Building Markets for Hyrdogen and Fuel Cells: UK – US bridging Technology’ was told by the company’s chief executive Henri Winand: “Together, hydrogen and electricity have the potential to offer significant additional profit opportunities for national electricity and power generating companies, both in terms of reduced capital expenditure and increased energy efficiency.”
The briefing was organised in Washington DC by the National Hydrogen Association, the US Fuel Cell Council and the Methanol Institute.
During the session Mr Winand detailed various projects including the joint venture between Loughborough based Intelligent Energy with Scottish & Southern Energy to deliver small scale Combined Heat and Power systems for the light industrial, commercial and residential markets in the UK and Ireland.
Fuels cells are also being developed for motorcycles, hybrid cars and air transport.
He added that he believed the potential for the introduction of fuel cells was increasing due to fuel prices and issues over energy security.
A company spokesman said: “Hydrogen and electricity work best together when significant amounts of renewable electricity are introduced on to the grid, as is now the case.
“Hydrogen then acts as a buffer between intermittent renewable power generation and end consumer demand.”
continue
Monday, 7 July 2008
Conserving energy and saving money
CUTTING DOMESTIC ENERGY COSTS
With energy bills rising, fixed-rate tariffs, which typically guarantee that prices will not rise for a year or more, have become a more enticing option.
"If you're on a standard tariff you can avoid price increases for at least the next year by moving to a fixed-price tariff," said Scott Byrom, utilities manager at Moneysupermarket.com. "On average, there is only 16p a year difference between standard and fixed tariffs, so consumers should have no excuse for not protecting themselves from future increases to their energy bills."
Among the best fixed-rate deals are ScottishPower's Fixed Price Energy 2009 and a fixed tariff from 31 August this year to 31 December 2009 from British Gas.
Another money saving option if you're on a standard tariff is to switch to an online tariff. This involves paying monthly by direct debit and reporting meter readings on the internet. But they are variable rates, so whether it's worth it depends on your perception of how much prices will rise by. If they increase by around 20 per cent instead of 40 per cent, for example, using an online tariff could be worth considering.
f you haven't switched supplier before, you can save hundreds by shopping around, unless you're on a fixed tariff. Unlike banks, energy companies aren't obliged to tell customers when better rates become available, so it's always worth asking what your supplier can offer and shopping around to see what else is available.
By Jeff Salway
continue
With energy bills rising, fixed-rate tariffs, which typically guarantee that prices will not rise for a year or more, have become a more enticing option.
"If you're on a standard tariff you can avoid price increases for at least the next year by moving to a fixed-price tariff," said Scott Byrom, utilities manager at Moneysupermarket.com. "On average, there is only 16p a year difference between standard and fixed tariffs, so consumers should have no excuse for not protecting themselves from future increases to their energy bills."
Among the best fixed-rate deals are ScottishPower's Fixed Price Energy 2009 and a fixed tariff from 31 August this year to 31 December 2009 from British Gas.
Another money saving option if you're on a standard tariff is to switch to an online tariff. This involves paying monthly by direct debit and reporting meter readings on the internet. But they are variable rates, so whether it's worth it depends on your perception of how much prices will rise by. If they increase by around 20 per cent instead of 40 per cent, for example, using an online tariff could be worth considering.
f you haven't switched supplier before, you can save hundreds by shopping around, unless you're on a fixed tariff. Unlike banks, energy companies aren't obliged to tell customers when better rates become available, so it's always worth asking what your supplier can offer and shopping around to see what else is available.
By Jeff Salway
continue
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