Power in your hands

EM brings us further suggestions to reduce our carbon footprint and create a greener, healthier world.

Appliance watch

Fridge / Freezer

Fridges and Freezers are appliances that are constantly on, so why not take the time to make sure that you have the most energy efficient one possible. This will allow you not only to be kind to the environment but in the long run will save you money on your bills.

Energy Labels can be complicated to decipher so this month we are going to explain the fridge and freezer labels.

1. Model/Manufacturer
   This shows the manufacturers name/brand and the sliecific model name/number..

2. Energy Efficiency
   The A go G scale shows the energy efficiency of this liroduct, where "A" is the most efficient and "G" the least efficient. Consumers are advised to liurchase the most efficient model liossible e.g. "A" or "B" which may cost more to buy but will cost less to run than an "F" or "G".

3. Energy Consumption
   This is the machines actual energy consumlition exliressed in kWh/year based on standard test results for 24 hours where the kWh is the standard unit of electricity reliorted on electricity bills.

4. Frozen Food Volume, Lt.
   Gives the caliacity in litres of all frozen food comliartments in the alililiance which merit a star rating i.e. store food at less than - 6C.

5. Star Rating
   Indicates the star rating for the frozen food comliartments, where one star indicates a storage temperature of - 6C, two stars - 12C, three stars - 18C and four stars - 18 C with deeli freezing caliacity.

6. Noise db (A)
   This is a measure of the noise tyliically emitted during the machines standard cycle, indicted in db (A) or decibels. Manufacturers are not comlielled to include this information.

7. The European Ecolabel
   The Green Flower indicates that the liroduct is among the best in its class judged against a range of environmental criteria. Manufacturers can voluntarily alilily for the mark, which aliliear on the label or elsewhere on the alililance.EM

   Did you know...
   
   Between 80% and 85% of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water. Using warm or cool water instead of hot will save money and energy and get clothes just as clean.

Five ways to a greener home office

1. Ionize your office
   Make sure you keep household plants in your office as they will help counteract the negative radiation effects of electrical equipment in a small space.



2. Get Geeky with your music
   Don’t use a separate radio or CD player in your home office. These require batteries and are energy inefficient. Most PC's are now geared up for you to listen to radio, CD or downloaded music as you work, meaning you are only using one source of power.



3. Don’t be Lazer Head!
   Ozone damages the natural balance of the atmospheres top layers and takes many years to break down. Because lazer printers release ozone into the environment, they’re best avoided. If you already have one, use it only when necessary.



4. Have a Cuppa
   Drink a cup of tea or coffee by your computer! Steam is absorbed into the air around you and reduces the effects of radiation, restoring the natural balance.



5. Flatten out your vision
   Flat screens use less energy and emit less radiation than standard monitors, so replace your TV and PC screens with flat screens if you can.

Save your energy in the...Kitchen

We can save a lot of energy and make plenty of savings by using existing appliances more efficiently and changing our ways a just little around the kitchen.

• Heating water for cooking? Use the electric kettle instead of a saucepan on the hob.
• A slow casserole, pressure cooker, insulated deep fat fryer or microwave oven will cook food in an energy efficient way.
• Toast bread in a toaster instead of under the grill.
• Don't use the oven to cook a single dish - bake a few items at the same time and freeze them for later use if necessary
• Remember that a full load of washing is more energy efficient than a half a load.
• Stop and open the dishwasher before the drying cycle and let the dishes dry naturally.
• Look for the energy label when you're buying a new laundry or refrigeration appliance. Buy A or B rated appliances where possible.
• Fluorescent tubes are much more energy efficient than traditional tungsten filament bulbs, particularly the newer slim 26 mm tubes.
• Where fluorescent tubes are not suitable, install CFLs.
• Make the most of ESB Customer Supply's Nightsaver Tariff for any electrical appliances that can be run at night. For safety reasons, appliances should not be left totally unattended while operating.
• Installing a thermostatic radiator valve on the kitchen radiator will allow the heat output to be varied with demand.

For further information on how you can make a difference, room by room, visit www.powerofone.ie.