How to avoid excessive electricity consumption during vacation and summer?

When the daylight hours are getting longer and artificial lighting is not needed as much, as well as the heating season is over, a false impression may arise that there is no need to save electricity. However, it is often the small habits that can be introduced even in the warm season that allow us to be more energy efficient and significantly save resources by using electricity wisely. Therefore, expert Viktorija Ķirsone, Tet’s electricity business manager, shares tips on how you can reduce your electricity bill during the summer as well.

During the vacation, the equipment is turned off

When you leave home, especially for several days or even weeks to enjoy your summer vacation, think about which devices you can turn off in the meantime. “There are devices that consume electricity continuously – even when they are turned off and no indicator lights up. Unplug the coffee machine, microwave oven, TV and other devices that will not be used until you are at home,” stresses Viktorija ķirsone. This advice is also worth following on a daily basis, but it will be especially effective on vacation, when the period that people spend outside the home is significantly longer.

Choose the most suitable time for the cleaning day

If you’ve decided that a warm and sunny day is perfect for a big cleaning, you might be wrong. Many electronic devices, such as a vacuum cleaner, generate additional heat. To avoid this, it is better to take care of cleanliness in the evening or on a cooler day. In this way, you will not only be able to enjoy a warm day in a more pleasant way, but also save electricity.

The order has been thoughtfully implemented

On the other hand, if you have started cleaning, then it is important to think about whether the electrical appliances are used efficiently – before you start the dishwasher, make sure that it is full. And choose the ECO mode, which may take longer, but washing dishes at the lowest temperature can save up to 18% of energy. It is also better to wash clothes at a temperature of 30-40 degrees. The washing machine consumes the most energy when the water is heated, so it is worth choosing a lower temperature every day.

Protect devices from direct sunlight

“Refrigerators and freezers require much more energy than other appliances. To limit their consumption, especially in summer, it is worth checking whether they are not exposed to direct sunlight on a daily basis. By protecting devices from heat and placing them away from direct sunlight, as well as radiators, stoves and other heat elements, electricity consumption can be reduced,” stresses Viktorija ķirsone.

Turn off the stove a moment before the meal is ready

In the summer, we more often choose to cook dinner that does not require long-term use of electrical appliances, for example, we rarely bake warming concoctions or boil fiery hot soups. However, if you are cooking hot food on the electric stove top or in the oven, you can remember to turn it off just a moment before dinner is ready. The stove or oven will continue to emit heat and finish cooking without using any more electricity. In this way, you will not overheat the house on an already hot day, because you will reduce the amount of warm air that is generated while cooking – the stove will already have started to cool down faster than if you only turn it off when the food is completely ready.

Find the right place for the air conditioner

If you have decided to buy an air conditioner to cool your home in hot weather, make sure that it is installed correctly. For the air conditioner to work properly, the warm air outlet pipe must be routed through the window using a window sealing kit, which will help stop the warm air from flowing back into the room. Also, use the pipe as short as possible, making sure that the conditioner is 30-40 cm away from the wall. “It is very important to choose a conditioner suitable for the size of the room. Each of them has a maximum area of ​​the room that the device will be able to cool. If you use it in a larger room than intended, the air conditioner will not only not cool the room as well, but will also consume much more energy,” stresses Viktorija ķirsone.

Help the conditioner work more efficiently

Two important factors that you can influence yourself to promote the most efficient work of the air conditioner – do not wait until the house heats up and protect the room from heat. To cool down a room that is already heated, the air conditioner will have to consume much more energy and time. Therefore, turn on the air conditioner already in the morning, while the room is still cool – that way it will also work more quietly. On the other hand, so that the warm air does not get inside and the surfaces do not heat up, close all the windows, blinds and curtains in sunny weather. The room will heat up less and the air conditioner’s task will be easier.