How to save electricity: 5 cards

After the damage to important infrastructure facilities by Russian missiles in many regions of Ukraine, problems with electricity began. In several regions and cities, a schedule of emergency blackouts has been introduced. In addition, the authorities called on Ukrainians to limit the use of electricity during peak evening and morning hours.

We tell you how to use household electrical appliances sparingly, save on lighting and save smartphone power, based on the recommendations of DTEK, Gosspetsvyaz and Gosenergonadzor.

1 Why do scheduled power outages occur

Russian missile strikes on October 10 damaged more than 10 Important infrastructure facilities in a number of regions of Ukraine and in Kiev. Some regions were de-energized. On October 11, the shelling of infrastructure facilities continued.

Due to large-scale damage, electricity may be temporarily unavailable in some regions, and emergency shutdown schedules are being introduced in some regions. They are used if there are not enough sources to fully cover the consumption in the power system.

Usually, this measure is resorted to when there is a lack of internal generation, import and emergency assistance resources from the neighboring power system.

Emergency shutdowns are carried out forcibly at the command of dispatchers in order to avoid complete disconnection from the power supply of a large region or prevent automatic and uncontrolled de-energization of the region.

By disconnecting some consumers for a certain time, dispatchers preserve the integrity of the power system and ensure its operational safety. Outages usually last for several hours.

The schedule of planned blackouts in Kiev can be found on DTEK's Facebook page.

2 How much energy do electrical appliances consume

To save electricity more efficiently, you should know how much household electrical appliances usually consume:

Air conditioning-2.2 - 3.37 kWh.Electric kettle-2.2-2.4 kWh.Vacuum cleaner-2 kWh.Boiler-1.5-2.5 kWh.Oil and air heaters-1.2-2 kWh.Iron — 1-2.4 kWh.Washing machine-0.8-2.2 kWh.Two-chamber refrigerator-0.30-0.90 kWh.Microwave oven-0.6 - 1.5 kWh.Single-chamber refrigerator-0.10-0.40 kWh.TV — 0.08-0.14 kWh.Electric lamp for 100 W-0.1 kWh.Computer-0.065-0.45 kWh.

The state energy supervision Inspectorate of Ukraine advises using energy-efficient household appliances. Household electrical appliances are specially marked from Class A to G.

Class "A ++" is the most energy — saving. "A+", "A", "B", "C", "D", " G " — less energy-saving.

By purchasing household appliances of Class" A "or"a+", you can reduce electricity consumption by 30-50% even compared to Class " B " appliances.

3 How to save on lighting

🔸 The most important step is to install energy — saving lamps. They last 5-8 times longer than conventional incandescent lamps, and consume 10 times less electricity.

It is also worth installing light regulators and sensors that automatically turn on and off the lighting when a person appears. They will help you save electricity when you are not in the room.

🔸 For general lighting, you can use neutral white lamps with a color temperature of 3000—4000k. for lighting the working area of the kitchen, it is recommended to use neutral white light lamps (3500—4500k). Such lamps are brighter and minimally distort colors.

In the dining area, it is better to place lamps with warm light lamps (up to 3000K). In the bathroom, it is also recommended to use two types of lighting: for lighting mirrors — 3000—4500k, and general lighting — up to 3000K.

🔸 Use spotlights in the" work areas " of the room instead of hanging and wall lamps. Spot lighting is much more economical than lighting the entire room simultaneously from a central lamp. But decorative lighting should not be turned on while saving electricity, if it cannot replace the central lighting.

4 How to use household electrical appliances sparingly

Правильно use the refrigerator correctly:

do not install the refrigerator near a gas stove or heating devices;do not install the refrigerator where there is direct sunlight;do not put hot food in the refrigerator;observe the optimal temperature regime in the room — 18-20 degrees (in a room where the temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius, the refrigerator consumes twice as much electricity).

🔸 Use washing machines and dishwashers in full load mode. If the washing machine or dishwasher is not fully loaded, electricity overruns will amount to 10-15%.

Правильно operate the electric stove correctly:

use dishes with a flat bottom and a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the electric stove burner (this will help save 5-10% of electricity);please note that the electric stove burner continues to generate heat for a certain time after switching off.

🔸 Turn off electrical appliances that you do not use, do not leave them "in sleep mode". For example, standby TVs consume about 1 kWh per month, while computers consume 3.6 kWh. The total energy consumption of household electrical appliances in standby mode can reach 350-400 kWh per year.

🔸 Operate the air conditioner correctly: turn it on only when the windows and doors are closed.

Правильно operate the electric kettle correctly:

boil as much water as necessary at a certain point;remove scale in a timely manner, because a kettle with scale conducts heat 30 times worse.

🔸 Turn off the electric boiler if you have not used it for a long time. The boiler in standby mode consumes electricity, automatically switching on to heat the water. Correctly calculate the amount of hot water for your own needs, and depending on this, choose the volume and power of the electric boiler. If the boiler has a power saving function, use it.

5 How to save smartphone power

We publish recommendations for setting up and using smartphones from the State Service for Special Communications.

🔸 Charge your phone at every opportunity and don't leave it charged in the wall outlet. Keep your power banks charged.

Увімкніть enable power saving mode. A shortcut with this feature is located in the Quick Settings panel, as well as in Settings (Battery, Power, etc.).

🔸 Turn on the screen as little as possible and set energy-efficient screen settings:

turn on the standard display smoothness instead of high, if the smartphone has the appropriate setting;set energy-efficient "wallpaper": black background for OLED/AMOLED display, light background for IPS;turn off screen auto — rotation.

Видаліть delete apps that are not critical for you, that are actively using the battery, or additional accounts in these apps. You can find out the power consumption level of programs by going to Settings → Battery → Battery Usage.

Вимкніть disable autoloading, auto-updating, and syncing apps, especially if you have multiple accounts connected (this feature should work automatically in power-saving mode):

Android → Settings → Accounts and syncing; iOS → Settings → App Store → app updates.

Обмеж limit the number of apps in" Sleepless "mode, leave only the necessary ones: Messenger, calls, Air alarm app.

Android → left touch key → "swipe" unwanted apps; iOS → swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen until the app switcher appears, or double-tap "Start" → "swipe up" the app preview screen to close it.

Вимкніть disable voice command recognition.

Android → Google Now → Settings → Voice Search → OK Google Recognition, iOS → Settings → Siri and search or Siri and dictation.

Вимкніть turn off the vibration.

Вимкніть disable unnecessary communications: GPS, Bluetooth.

Відмов stop watching videos and games on your smartphone.

🔸 If the power supply situation is critical:

Turn on the "emergency energy saving"mode.Switch your smartphone to airplane mode if there is an alternative connection.Arrange with your loved ones about the time to get in touch, arrange in advance about the time and place of meetings, if you can not restore communication. Advise people nearby to do the same.Write down all your important phone numbers on paper in case the battery runs out.