Relooking at Sustainable Energies During Summer

It is that time of year when most people are on summer vacations or travelling. Imagine feeling free on a road trip, with the window wide open to catch a cool breeze. As the vehicle passes by the attractive landscape, we catch sight of the vast, tall wind turbines. Some turbines spin at a slow, gentle speed, while other wind turbines remain dead still, unmoved by any breeze.

Photo by Matthias Boeckel from Pixabay.com

Often, when we pass such a large power plant, we can ask ourselves: “How much energy generated from a wind power plant is distributing 100% clean energy to my household?”

Then, we begin to justify how our energy consumption habits can be free from a negative carbon footprint. Reflecting on such scenarios; we are interested to discover the benefits of clean energy and affordable energy.

Energy Efficiency At Home Starts From Effective Planning

Monitor HVAC Systems

One of our previous articles has shared how to keep energy bills affordable. If we have a home occupied by multiple people, the indoor temperature is more likely to need improved temperature regulation. In this case, having proper cooling systems like air-conditioning can become inevitable during summer. We can explore wiser habits to efficiently regulate indoor room temperature without incurring high electricity bills.

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Using the remote control for HVAC systems, maintain the air-conditioning system to operate at an optimal temperature between 70°F and 73.4°F (21°-23°C). A consistent optimal temperature results in more efficient energy consumption levels. Here are some tips for setting your thermostats when leaving the house:

• Summer: Aim for a higher temperature setting than usual, ideally between 85°F (29°C) and 88°F (31°C). This saves energy while protecting your belongings from extreme heat. However, it heavily depends on the area where you live and thus the weather! Try to set the thermostat to temperatures relatively close to the outside. A good rule of thumb is to raise the thermostat by 5-10°F (2.8-5.6°C) from your normal comfort setting when you're away. For example, at 25°C outside temperature, your home might not require much cooling at all. Raising the thermostat to 31°C would likely allow the indoor temperature to climb much higher, potentially becoming uncomfortable upon your return.
• Winter: Prevent pipes from freezing by setting the thermostat to a minimum of 60°F (15°C). If concerned about burst pipes, consider a slightly higher setting.

Here are some further energy-efficient recommendations for your time away:

• For short trips (weekends), minimal adjustments might be needed. However, longer absences require a more significant temperature change.
• If you are leaving some pets behind, don't forget to adjust the temperature based on their comfort as well.
• If you have a Smart Thermostat, program it to automatically adjust the temperature while you're away and return to your preferred settings upon your return.
• Reduce overall energy consumption by powering down electronics, lights, and appliances not in use during your absence.
• If you intend to leave home for only 30 minutes or less, it is best to keep the air-conditioning/thermostat operating. This further applies if you intend to occupy the same home space, avoiding switching the system on and off repeatedly. A repeated on-and-off function can cause fluctuations in power systems, which can result in energy inefficiencies.

Regularly Upkeep Electrical Units

Maintaining your home's electrical system is crucial for safety and efficiency. Here are some recommendations for regularly upkeeping typical household electrical units:

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• Always unplug or turn off the power to appliances before cleaning them.
• Dust can build up on vents and electrical components, hindering airflow and potentially causing overheating. Therefore, we recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove dust gently.
• Look for any signs of damage, such as fraying, cracks, or discolouration, on electrical cords and outlets. Replace damaged cords immediately, and have a qualified electrician address any issues with the outlets.
• Consider having a qualified electrician inspect your entire electrical system periodically, especially if your home is older.

Further Maintenance Recommendations

• Clean the filter and fan of air cooling systems every 12 months. A dirty filter in a cooling unit's mechanical system can slow down the airflow. In fact, any obstruction to the cooling unit's operation can decrease its power efficiency, leading to higher energy consumption.
• Locate your fuse box or circuit breaker panel and familiarize yourself with the location of each breaker. Test them periodically by flipping them off and back on to ensure they're functioning properly. Visually inspect the fuses for signs of damage or blown fuses and replace blown fuses only with the correct amperage rating. Consider upgrading to a modern circuit breaker panel for increased safety and functionality.
• Clean the condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator regularly (at least once a year). This improves efficiency and helps your fridge function properly.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace the batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.

An Adaptive Home to Climate Changes

Photo by Ursa Catalogue from Ursa

Summer is the best time of the year to update or refurbish homes. This bright weather makes indoor work more conducive for those who may not be travelling much; undoubtedly, taking the time to study the benefits of wall insulation and curtain choices leads to wise investments. In the first place, this means cost-effective refurbishments or maintenance of the inner walls and floors. Before the cold season arrives, switching to an ideal curtain colour or a specific curtain material can affect the indoor room temperature.

Sustainable Energies Labelling

Photo by Gree from Gree

Attractive designs and promotional prices can distract us during a shopping spree. However, it is important not to judge a book by its cover and to select an appliance with the best energy rating. Thus, choosing appliances classified from A to B offers the best advantages, as they have minimal power consumption.

Manage Energy Load Profile

Lower power consumption may not necessarily mean lower energy bills. However, it provides a better gap for users to access a cleaner energy supply. In a smart home system, for example, equipped with a rooftop solar PV system or connected to a micro-grid community, the household is more likely to consume the 1st energy consumption section using the available clean energy that has been generated. Household users can maintain a healthy ratio of energy consumption through the use of energy-efficient appliances, and a significant share of this energy consumption can be sourced from clean energy.

Sustainable Energies Can Be Small Systems

Energy efficiency not only occurs indoors but is also dependent on the size of a home. Outdoor fittings and appliances cover at least 30% of the total energy consumption of a home. This means the type of motor that powers the auto-gate at our driveway, fences, or garage door. Alternatively, the type of outdoor lighting at our patio, garden, home doors, and pillars. These small systems, such as swimming pools, fish ponds, or jacuzzi systems, can be ensured to use sustainable energies in certain cases.

Photo by Gbeaty from Pixabay.com

We can take precautions about the holistic power systems of outdoor fittings and appliances. The system functions efficiently when kept in such a state. Buyers often overlook the required electrical work and power consumption (e.g. kWh) when purchasing fittings and appliances. Studying the brochure carefully before investing in these fittings and appliances can make a huge positive difference and ensure that we are buying a holistic system that operates at energy-efficient levels.

Photo by Lorentz De from Sines Export

Relevance of the SDG7 and SDG11

Global SDG initiatives have long been vital subjects that require citizen participation. These goals, SDG 7 and SDG 11 are key indicators of the role of clean energy and energy efficiency solutions in our lives.

• Supporting sustainable energy transitions at home and within communities promotes a higher quality of life, induces more jobs in the market, and increases the value of our household (e.g., energy, rated buildings).
• Sharing sustainable energy practices outside our homes and setting examples as best practices ensures that innovation, as well as society's commitment to sustainable development aspirations, will persist.
• Vast land use has been made to support clean power plants such as on-shore solar power plants and large power plants wind turbines. If the land area is not wisely managed, the opportunity cost and risks must be accounted for.

The young generation will need to continue adapting to an environment where zero fossil fuels are the ideal sustainable future. Present society needs to be resilient in terms of how sustainable energies will become a prominent solution in the daily lives of the young generation. 

Sustainable Energies and Efficiency Does Matter

Naturally, as a society, we tend to want to understand the effectiveness of the policy and technology of sustainable energies. How much we commit and participate in the sustainable energy market can affect the usefulness of this technology in its survival. Sustainable energies not only begin from the external environment. For instance, how do both policies and technology innovation spur transformation in the markets? Sustainable energy markets are affected by the tiniest decisions related to systems. One way is to reflect on this matter at every season of the year.

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Hi, I am Ariel Toh. Trained in sustainability research from academic institutes, I take meticulous detail to article write-ups. By working with like-minded professionals and companies, I believe we can harness "more sustainability" in the world.