How to reduce energy consumption in domestic sector? – Essay

Consumption of energy can be reduced in Domestic Sector are as follows:

It is estimated that one out of every three persons in the world is living without electricity.

In India, although 3,50,000 villages, of more than 6,00,000 are now connected to an electricity grid, only 14% of people in the villages have electricity.

These facts and figures clearly point out the need to con­serve energy in all the possible manners. Let us start from the Domestic Sector first.

Considerable amount of energy in the form of electricity, LPG for cooking and petrol is used at the domestic level.

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This consumption is about 15 percent of the total consumption of electricity and petroleum products.

Now that with rapid industrialisation and economic development, the standard of living of the people is rising, more and more people are using vehicles and other items which consume energy.

Saving in energy will be beneficial both for the consumers and government.

Consumption of energy can be reduced in the following ways:

(1) Conserving energy by saving kerosene and LPG:

(a) Flame of LPG or stove should not be wasted. When not required it should be extinguished. Before lighting the gas or stove, the cook­ing material should be kept close by.

(b) Nearly 40% of fuel can be saved if flame is lowered when the boiling starts. Keeping it at maximum serves no useful purpose.

It only makes the liquid evaporate. No addition in temperature takes place.

(c) While using LPG the smaller burner can be used to save 6% to 10% gas than on the bigger one.

(d) The cooking pots should be board so as to cover the flame as much as possible. This would also save fuel.

(e) Fuel can also be saved by using proper quantity of water while preparing dishes. Unnecessary more water wastes fuel.

(f) Soaking things like dal, rice etc. before cooking; about 22% fuel can be saved if kabuli Chana is soaked, overnight before cooking.

(g) Always use a pressure cooker. It saves fuel. Fuel consumption by using at pressure cooker is less by 20% on rice, 46% on soaked gram dal and nearly 46.5% on meat.

(h) Use of separators in a pressure cooker can result in less use of fuel.

(i) As far as possible one should avoid reheating the food frequently. This can be done if food is served to all at one time.

(j) Moreover, food can remain warm if it is kept in insulated contain­ers. This will result in saving fuel.

(k) Utensils like cookers and kettles should be cleaned thoroughly. There should be no coating of undissolved salts. This will save fuel by 10%.

(l) When cold food from the refrigerator is directly put on the stove or gas, it consumes more fuel. Therefore, first it should be kept out for some time to gain room temperature. This would save fuel.

(m) By covering the cooking vessels we can also save fuel because the food is cooked in short time.

(n) If the gas burner is not clean or the stove wick is charred it will consume more fuel. So burners should be cleaned regularly.

(2) Conserving energy by avoiding wastage of electricity:

As already said, wastage of electricity causes a great loss of energy. It can be saved in the following ways:

(a) Work in the natural light i.e., where there is no need for light as far as possible.

(b) Switch off lights, fans, air-conditioners, televisions, when not required.

(c) Use proper size of wires and cables. This saves energy.

(d) Keep lamps and Fixtures free from dust.

(e) Use stairs, if possible, and avoid use of lifts.

(f) Use light colours for walls and ceilings.

(g) Use minimum number of lifts when there is not much rush.

(h) Stop lifts on alternate floors.

(i) Do not keep the refrigerator door widely open.

(j) Do not open refrigerator frequently.

(k) Use minimum lights at functions.

(l) Use fluorescent tubes with condensers instead of bulbs.

(m) Use standard electrical fittings and fixtures.

(n) Avoid use of decorative lights.

(o) Keep refrigerator coils free of frost by properly adjusting the thermostat. Defrost as and when required as ice acts as an insolent preventing transfer of heat.