How to save electricity?
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DW has this theory that it's better to leave the toilet lights on for extended period of time (lets say 1-2 hr) rather than have it switched on-and-off a few times over the same period. She mentioned something about voltage spikes when lights are switched on. Apparently, voltage spikes hurts my pocket bad. Apparently there's a scientific principle behind it. :skeptical:
I always like to switch them off as I dislike the idea of them generating unneccessary heat in our sweltering nights (I'm an air-con creature). Also, I've my doubts about this voltage spike theory.
So who's right? Any scientist or engineer or learned man and woman out there can to solve my puzzle? -
FQW:
Its hard not to be an air con creature given the weather we are facing now...34 degrees all the time. Even the nights are not cooler.
I always like to switch them off as I dislike the idea of them generating unneccessary heat in our sweltering nights (I'm an air-con creature). Also, I've my doubts about this voltage spike theory.
Practically needless to switch on heater now...but kids need warm water to wash up in the morn. -
If you on, off, on, off…repeatedly non stop for, say… one hour… it is definitely using more electricity then leaving it on continuously…
If you on, and off it a few times within the hour, the amount of electricity will be definitely less then leaving it on continuously…
voltage spikes occurs for a few msec… that few milliseconds of even 1000% power consumption is not gonna make a different on your bills.
However, the concern should not be the amount of electricity used, but rather, the accelerate wear and tear due to VERY frequent on/off.
In any case, unless you switch it on/off a few dozen times an hour continuously… frequent on/off is not going to make a significant impact. if any at all. -
That’s what I thought too. How can leaving the lights on for extended periods of time be greener then switching it on a few times an hour?
If only I can get an [official] article to bust this myth. -
Just learn how to read the meter outside the flat will do…
On the lights for 2 hours, then compare the meter reading before/after to find how much the meter move. Then, repeat will on/off a few times. -
FQW:
aiyah... use candles lah. More lo-man-tic and also save electricity at the same time.That's what I thought too. How can leaving the lights on for extended periods of time be greener then switching it on a few times an hour?
If only I can get an [official] article to bust this myth. -
schweppes:
:rotflmao: that's a fan-tas-tic idea , schweppes !
aiyah... use candles lah. More lo-man-tic and also save electricity at the same time.FQW:
That's what I thought too. How can leaving the lights on for extended periods of time be greener then switching it on a few times an hour?
If only I can get an [official] article to bust this myth. -
fightingmom:
:rotflmao: that's a fan-tas-tic idea , schweppes ![/quote]Thot of another one. FQW can also use kerosene lamp! :siam:
aiyah... use candles lah. More lo-man-tic and also save electricity at the same time.schweppes:
[quote=\"FQW\"]That's what I thought too. How can leaving the lights on for extended periods of time be greener then switching it on a few times an hour?
If only I can get an [official] article to bust this myth.
:rotflmao: -
Candles I scared my neighbours will scared, in case I accidentally burn down the whole block of flats.
But mabbe will catch fireflies and put them in a bottle. How’s that for going green? Mabbe I pick up smoking … to save electricity … -
limlim:
Excellent idea. Except that my flat's meter is behind a locked door; don't ask me why, I also don't know. You got time to do this experiment or not?Just learn how to read the meter outside the flat will do..
On the lights for 2 hours, then compare the meter reading before/after to find how much the meter move. Then, repeat will on/off a few times. -
Correct me if i’m wrong… i believe the toilets light etc use very little electricity IF we change everything in the house to energy saving lights. This is what we do.
The rule is, use the electricity when necessary. If you are not in the room (or will not be, not talking about walk out for 5 min), turn off the lights.
One thing i learn - use energy saving aircon. You may have to pay a little more at first (investment), it really saves electricity. Eg. Our old rented 3 bedrm apartment, we use 3 aircon every night), versus now, we use 3 aircon and 1 aircon whole day (work from home), we have 5 aircons at home. Our electrical bill comes up to be the same as 3 aircon. Service your aircon regularly. I know of people do it once a year or once every two years, worst - only when it breaks down. I service mine every 3 mths.
Aircon, Plasma TV, big fridge - all these consume the most electricity. The rest are no big deal.
I also know of people having very bad habit of turning on their 52" plasma TV the moment they come back from work till they go to bed - regardless if they are watching. Bad habit -
Lynn2010:
Er... Hi lynn2010, why must service so frequently? My aircon at home hardy work, probably 14 days out of 365 days and only intermittently at night if they are on. So still need to service every three months?I service mine every 3 mths.
Aircon, Plasma TV, big fridge - all these consume the most electricity. The rest are no big deal.
I also know of people having very bad habit of turning on their 52\" plasma TV the moment they come back from work till they go to bed - regardless if they are watching. Bad habit
Haiz... Shd not have bought a big tv. When I shifted from a four room unit to a five room unit, my sp services bill jumped from around $60 per month to $70+ per month. There was no change in lifestyle or number of occupants. Must be the tv.... -
Imami:
I'm no engineer nor am i an aircon expert. One thing i was told that even if you dont use often, may be service once every 4 months because Spore very dusty, dust set in. I use every night and hubby and kids allergic to dust. Even if one is not allergic to dust, dust can be a cause for sinuses, etc.
Er... Hi lynn2010, why must service so frequently? My aircon at home hardy work, probably 14 days out of 365 days and only intermittently at night if they are on. So still need to service every three months?Lynn2010:
I service mine every 3 mths.
Aircon, Plasma TV, big fridge - all these consume the most electricity. The rest are no big deal.
I also know of people having very bad habit of turning on their 52\" plasma TV the moment they come back from work till they go to bed - regardless if they are watching. Bad habit
Haiz... Shd not have bought a big tv. When I shifted from a four room unit to a five room unit, my sp services bill jumped from around $60 per month to $70+ per month. There was no change in lifestyle or number of occupants. Must be the tv....
So, if you turn on the aircon occasionally, the dust will \"blow out\", unless you clean often yourself.
That's my theory at least -
Imami, do you mean the increase is $10? Should be ok. I know of people staying in 5 rm HDB paying more than $500 a month for electricity bill. I think it is alot. Another person told me he paid about $800!!!
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When I last changed my 10 yr old fridge, my bill went down as much as $50!
Other elect sucker incl tank water Heater, iron, washer (w heater). -
Oh dear, I've 6 air-con units at home and none of them is inverter type. Those inverter types are so expensive. My utility bills come up to $200+ per mth - one air-con turned on 9 hrs a day + son doesn't shower but bathes. I actually clean the air-con filters myself. Quite simple, all I need is a ladder.
How does one hit bills reaching $500 or $800? :yikes: Won't Sing Power become suspicious? -
FQW:
Catering service? Laundromat? :evil:
How does one hit bills reaching $500 or $800? :yikes: Won't Sing Power become suspicious? -
Nebbermind:
Woah, what kind of fridge you used? Those heavy-duty restaurant types har?When I last changed my 10 yr old fridge, my bill went down as much as $50!
Other elect sucker incl tank water Heater, iron, washer (w heater).
I stay in an old flat and we have those water-tank type heaters in all 3 bathrooms. I don't like them; I prefer those instant heater types. But replacing them will cost a bomb I guess. -
Normal sized one…but Korean made…repaired a couple of times so maybe it was no longer efficient. Think after a few yrs, most fridge will lose efficiency due to 24/7 running.
Think water heater at least 1000w. If u need 1/2 hr to heat up one tank, it’s equivalent to turning on yr 20w toilet light for 1 day. -
Nebbermind:
So I'm barking at the wrong tree ... ok in order to save electricity, I declare that my family must bathe immediately one after another. Muahaha.Normal sized one...but Korean made...repaired a couple of times so maybe it was no longer efficient. Think after a few yrs, most fridge will lose efficiency due to 24/7 running.
Think water heater at least 1000w. If u need 1/2 hr to heat up one tank, it's equivalent to turning on yr 20w toilet light for 1 day.