Tackling the issue of the waste of electricity does not mean forgoing comfort. It is possible to take advantage of all the benefits that energy provides in the right way without wasting it.
When consumers use energy rationally, they are preserving the natural resources of the country and at the same time, avoiding supply problems. Simple attitudes but smart, if implemented, can lead to a significant reduction in the energy bills of the consumer.
Whenever possible, the use of electrical appliances at peak times of the electrical system, from 17.00 to 22.00 hours should be avoided. Electricidade de Moçambique has put forward some good practical advice to help rationalize the use of electricity.
Lamps
When buying new lamps preference should be given to compact fluorescent lamps or circular for the kitchen, laundry area, garage and any other area that remains with the lights on for more than 4 hours per day. This type of lamps, besides consuming less energy, they last 10 times longer.
- Whenever possible, fluorescent lamps that last longer and use less energy should be used.
- Lighting lamps during the day should be avoided and more natural light should be used.
- Only 127 or 220 Volt lamps compatible with the voltage of EDM network should be used.
- Walls and ceilings should be painted with light colours that better reflect the light thus reducing the need for artificial lighting.
- Use appropriate light for reading purposes and manual work.
- Lights that are not being used should be switched off, except those that contribute to the consumer´s safety.
- Never use Wires, string or coins instead of fuses.
Air Conditioning
- Models containing instructions on how to save energy should be looked for. They make a good difference in the energy bill, especially in summer when the air conditioning account for one third of the power consumption of the household.
- The appliance should be properly sized for the environment.
- The thermostat should be properly set, maintaining the desired temperature in the environment.
- The appliance should be unplugged when the room is vacated.
- Windows and doors should be closed when the appliance is on.
- The sun's heat in the environment should be avoided by drawing the curtains and Persian blinds closed. The air outlet of the appliance should not be covered.
- The filters of the appliance should be kept clean to allow air circulation.
- When using it, doors and windows should be closed to prevent heat exchange.
- Filters should be cleaned regularly.
- When installing the appliance under direct sunlight, a protecting device should be installed, without blocking the air vents.
- It should always be turned off when there is no one for a long time where it is installed.
- The fan should only be turned on when there is someone around.
Electric Iron
- The electric iron should only be connected when there is a lot of clothing to iron.
- Connecting the electric iron when many appliances are connected should be avoided. It overloads the electrical supply system.
- The iron should not be left on unless there is a need.
The temperature instructions for each type of clothing should be followed.
The temperature in the case of automatic irons should be adjusted. The most delicate garments must be ironed first. At the end, after the iron having been turned off the heat of the iron can be used to iron some light clothing.
Refrigerator / Freezer
When the consumer buys a refrigerator or freezer should check whether there is an Energy Saving one. The placement of the appliance must be done in a well ventilated place, avoiding the proximity of cooker and heaters or areas exposed to sunlight. These appliances must have a minimum clearance of 20 cm from the sides, above and at the bottom, in case of installation between cabinets and walls.
- When choosing a new appliance, the instructions on the orange label that indicates the average monthly consumption should also be taken into account.
- The back of the refrigerator should not be used to dry cloths and clothes.
- The thermostat should be set properly in cold seasons of the year. The manufacturer´s manual should be referred to.
- When the ice layer reaches a thickness of about 1cm, it should be thawed.
- The rubber door seal should always be in good condition, preventing leakage of cold air.
- Hot food should not be stored in the refrigerator or freezer and do not keep uncovered food containers.
- The appliance must be protected from sunlight and kept as far away as possible from the cooker heat.
- The doors of the refrigerator or freezer should not be open for a long time. The user must keep food as close as possible in order to spend less time trying to find it.
- All the food that is needed should be removed at once.
- The shelves should not be lined with plastic or glass, as this hinders the air circulation inside the fridge.
- The door should not be left open for more than the necessary time.
- The refrigerator or freezer should not be unplugged at night to turn them on again the next morning.
- The coils should be kept clean.
- The refrigerator and/or freezer should be emptied and turned off when the consumer is away from home for a long time.
TV
- The television set should not be turned on if no one is watching it. If the consumer has television programming, the timer should be used when the consumer wants to sleep with it on.
Electric Shower
- This is one of the appliances which consumes more energy. The ideal is to avoid its use at peak hours, between 17.00 and 22.00 hours.
- The key should be kept in the least hot position (summer), because the consumer saves about 30% of energy.
- The tap should be turned off for lathering.
- The consumer should not try to use a burned-out heating coil as this will lead to an increased consumption and it is dangerous.
- Spend less time in the hot shower.
Washing machine and dryer
- Water and energy should be saved by washing, at one time, the maximum amount of clothing provided by the manufacturer.
- Use the right amount of soap specified in the manual in order to avoid repeating the rinse operations.
- The filter should always be kept clean.
- The washing machine and dryer should be used at their maximum capacity, as indicated by the manufacturer, avoiding waste of electric power.
IF YOU THIS PIECES OF ADVICE ARE STRICTLY FOLLOWED, YOUR ENERGY BILL WILL CERTAINLY REDUCE!
Proper use of energy
It is difficult to imagine the world today without electricity. Every day, at work or at leisure, electricity is used many times and in different ways. Precisely because our life depends so much on this type of energy, the consumer, however, must be aware of both the benefits and the dangers that may result from misusing it.
