ENERGY wasting is expensive

Intelligent energy management is an attention that we must have, beyond war, due to climate change. What can we and our families do? Since we live in abundance (except for a percentage of the population that must be assisted and reimbursed), we consume so much that we have a large margin to reduce, avoid waste, without giving up practically anything. We will thus obtain good results for our health, cost reductions, recoverable investments for reliefs and savings, less CO2 emissions, contributing to energy independence. The slightest changes in our habits can have a good weight in the sustainable energy transformation, if we multiply them by 25.7 million Italian families.

FOR HEATING: the border of 19/20 ° C. Heating and cooling less allows a saving of 7%. In summer the rule is the opposite and in any case do not exceed 25 ° C. There may be different age needs, such as for children and the elderly. How to adjust? There are central regulators in the accommodation and valves in each room, to be adjusted differently according to the seasons during the day and night. It is then necessary to consider whether to change the boiler: there are incentives for their replacement.

WHAT TO DO WITH WINDOWS? Drafts, leaks, lack of double-triple glazing, lack of shutters ... are all elements that require more heating to achieve a comfortable situation.

THE COAT. Intervention in apartment buildings with the Superbonus 110. It facilitates (together with efficient windows and doors) heating and cooling.

RENOVATIONS. Sustainable and green solutions relating to the interior are to be evaluated. Walls and areas can also be insulated from the inside; the floors can contain coils that allow to obtain an interesting heating solution placed under the tiles; the type of elements used (radiators) chosen for materials and methods: water, air.

THE BATHROOM. Except in particular cases and specific needs, the shower (5 minutes) is preferable to the bathroom due to the saving of hot water. Where does the hot water come from? Methane or electricity? Connected to the heating? Questions that need to be answered. In general: avoid using hot water for each use (cleaning - washing hands) and exceeding the quantity. Check if there are small flow breakers in the taps and showers and check their operation.

APPLIANCES. Use appliances in the bathroom (hairdryer, washing machine, dryer, iron) and in the kitchen intelligently. There are many foods that can finish cooking when the burners are out; using the pressure cooker and lids saves money because it helps cooking. The oven is a big consumer. Have the pan ready to bake when the oven is at the desired temperature; use the "ventilation" function, which reduces cooking times and a third of the energy compared to using the static oven; turn off the oven a little earlier than expected because cooking continues. Open fridge doors are a classic waste. Use the washing machine only with a full load and with a low temperature program (30 ° C), the dishwasher only with a full load; the dryer only when it is not possible to do without it.

THE STANDBIES, recharging mobile phones that are always on ... they seem small consumptions, but they also have an impact if you think about how many you have in your family and how many families in Italy. It is sufficient to disconnect products that are used little or only at certain times of the day (such as TV) from the mains, using the "power strip" with switch; it is also advisable to always set the energy saving features for computers and more.

HOME AUTOMATION AND AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEMS: it is interesting to learn more about what they are for. On the net there are nine indications of the International Energy Agency of the European Community. They also talk about urban travel other than the car, its more efficient use in relation to driving methods. For each of the savings and behaviors mentioned, on the net you can find, calculated with approximation, the savings of raw materials (energy) and euros, both individually, family and nationally if everyone adopted good habits. Great earnings for everyone and for the environment!


Carlo Degiacomi
NP June / July 2022