Conserve energy this festive season

The festive season is punctuated with unending and sometimes unthoughtful spending. However, I would like to share some tips on how to save some money this season, especially on energy bills.

On average, energy costs take about one third of the family budget in Uganda. Energy consumption at home ranges from lighting, heating, cooking, ironing, entertainment, and cleaning. We surely rely on energy to make our lives comfortable, productive and enjoyable.

Nevertheless, to maintain our quality of life, we must use our energy resources wisely. In this regard, we need to embrace energy conservation and efficiency. Energy conservation is any behaviour that results in the use of less energy, for example; unplugging appliances that are not in use.

Energy efficiency on the other side involves the use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function, for example; the use of energy savers as lighting bulbs, using improved cook stoves for cooking. When we waste energy in our homes, we are wasting and throwing away money.

Here are some of the ways you can conserve and efficiently use energy:
• Turn off appliances when not in use. If plug home electronics such as DVD players, TV, laptops and computers are in standby mode, they still use several watts of power.
• Use high quality appliances, not counterfeits. High quality devices are tested and are made to work favourably well under all conditions such as temperature, voltage and power rating.
• Do a simple energy audit of the energy consumption at home. Ask yourself questions such as: ‘How much money do I spend on energy?’ ‘What is the energy need of the family?’, ‘Where are my greatest energy losses?’ and ‘Where do I spend more energy?’ For a more concrete and informed report on energy need and consumption, you may involve an energy auditor.
• Install energy efficient lighting such as energy savers.
• Cover pots and pans during cooking to reduce cooking time.
• When using a washing machine, have full load and use cold water where possible.
• Allow space for a washing line so you can use the sun to dry the clothes rather than other energy-consuming methods.
These and so many other approaches will make your home an energy efficient home, with the family enjoying comfort while saving money. Blessed holidays.

Isaiah Isima Kasibe is a Renewable energy technologist.