The
electricity consumption is one of the main responsible for the
project impact and the increase in monthly bills. At home, a good part of this expenditure comes from the constant use of
appliances — from the refrigerator to the air conditioner, from the washing machine to the television. Therefore, understanding how to optimize the operation of these devices is essential for those who want to
save energy without sacrificing comfort.
Projeto de Leandro Neves. (Luiza Schreier/Divulgação)
More than a financial issue, saving energy is a
gesture of environmental responsibility. Adopting new habits, reviewing the use of devices, and choosing more efficient equipment are actions that reflect both in
cost reduction and in the
balance of the planet. Below, we have gathered 30 practical ideas to save electricity from appliances, divided by areas of the house.
30 practical tips to save electricity from appliances
In the kitchen
1. Keep the refrigerator away from heat sources. Positioning it near the stove or sunny windows makes the motor work harder to maintain the cold, increasing consumption. Ideally, place it in a
ventilated location, at least 10 centimeters away from the wall.
2. Regularly check the refrigerator doors. Dried or poorly fitted gaskets allow cold air to escape, forcing the compressor to run longer. Do the
paper test: if it easily slides between the door and the cabinet, it's time to replace the seal.
3. Avoid opening the refrigerator repeatedly. Each time the door opens, cold air escapes, and the motor needs to compensate for the loss.
Planning meals and
getting all ingredients at once helps maintain a stable internal temperature.
4. Do not store still warm food. The high temperature warms the inside of the refrigerator and requires more effort to cool everything again. Wait until food reaches
room temperature before storing it.
5. Adjust the thermostat according to the season. In colder months, the refrigerator motor needs less power. Adjusting the control to a
lower intensity helps reduce consumption without compromising performance.
6. If necessary, periodically defrost the freezer. The buildup of ice creates an insulating layer that hinders heat exchange, increasing energy consumption. Defrost the compartment whenever the ice reaches
about half a centimeter.
7. Prefer the microwave for small portions. It consumes less energy than the electric oven or stovetop flame to heat small portions or defrost food, making the
preparation quicker and more efficient.
8. Avoid preheating the oven for prolonged periods. Turn it on only when all ingredients are ready. In addition to saving energy, this
avoids heat waste and
improves preparation time.
9. Use pots with flat bottoms and the size of the stove burner. Pots smaller than the flame waste heat. Larger ones spread energy unevenly. The
ideal fit ensures efficiency and speeds up cooking.
10. Take advantage of residual heat from ovens and stoves. Turning off the oven a few minutes before the cooking time ends allows the accumulated heat to finish the cooking. This practice
reduces usage time without changing the result.
In the laundry room
11. Wash clothes with a full load. Partial cycles consume almost the same energy and water as a full wash. Gathering clothes until reaching the
optimal capacity of the machine is more economical and efficient.
12. Always prefer cold water. Heating water is one of the processes that consume the most energy. For everyday clothes,
washing in room temperature is sufficient and preserves the fabrics.
13. Use the washing machine's economical programs. Most models have
optimized cycles that reduce time and water usage without compromising cleaning. This function is ideal for
lightly soiled clothes.
14. Unplug devices after use. Even when turned off, some devices continue to consume energy in standby mode. Unplugging is a simple measure to avoid
silent waste.
15. Whenever possible, air dry clothes outdoors. The dryer should only be used when necessary. Hanging clothes in ventilated areas or with
natural light saves energy and
prolongs the durability of the pieces.
16. Clean the filter of the machine and dryer frequently. The accumulation of lint and debris hinders ventilation and requires more effort from the motor. Regular
cleaning improves performance and reduces consumption.
17. Plan your weekly washes. Organizing the use of the washing machine on
specific days avoids short and unnecessary cycles. This also optimizes time and reduces wear on the equipment.
18. Position the machine in a ventilated and level location. Stuffy or uneven environments make the motor's operation difficult. An
airy and flat space ensures stability and energy efficiency.
19. Avoid excessive spinning. Using high speeds for all washes increases electricity consumption and wear on the parts. Reserve the most intense cycle only for heavy clothes.
20. Perform periodic maintenance. Filters, hoses, and motors should be checked regularly. The
good condition of the components ensures stable operation and prevents spikes in energy.
In the living room and bedrooms
21. Completely turn off electronic devices. TVs, laptops, and video games keep consuming energy in standby mode. Unplugging them when not in use prevents
up to 10% waste monthly.
22. Use power strips with on/off buttons. They allow interrupting the power supply to several devices at once, making control easier and reducing hidden consumption.
23. Value natural lighting. During the day, keep
windows open and
curtains drawn back. This practice reduces the need for artificial light and improves the
sense of well-being in the projects.
24. Replace old bulbs with LED models. They
last up to 25 times longer and consume
up to 80% less energy. Despite the initial investment, the return comes quickly in the reduction of the electricity bill.
25. Clean light fixtures and bulbs regularly. Accumulated dust reduces luminous efficiency, requiring more bulbs to be lit. A
simple damp cloth already improves light utilization.
26. Adjust the temperature of the air conditioner. The ideal is to maintain it
between 23°C and 25°C. Each degree lower in the
air conditioner can raise consumption by up to 7%, as well as drying out the project.
27. Keep doors and windows closed when using the air conditioner. Avoiding air exchange with the outside makes the unit work less and maintains the
stable temperature for longer.
28. Use thermal curtains or shades. They help to block external heat in the summer and retain internal heat in the winter, reducing the need for climate control.
29. Prefer ceiling or standing fans. They consume up to
80% less energy than the air conditioner and, combined with open windows, ensure
natural thermal comfort.
30. Choose appliances with Procel A label. The label ensures that the product has been tested and approved by energy efficiency criteria. Prioritizing this classification is one of the smartest decisions to save energy.
CASACOR Publisher is a creator of exclusive content, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho. [abril-veja-tambem]W3siaWQiOjIxMjkzMiwidGl0bGUiOiI3IHJlY3Vyc29zIHBhcmEgZGVpeGFyIGEgY2FzYSBtYWlzIG1vZGVybmEgJiN4MjAxMzsgZGEgZGVjb3JhJiN4RTc7JiN4RTM7byAmI3hFMDtzIHRlY25vbG9naWFzISJ9LHsiaWQiOjIxMTU1OSwidGl0bGUiOiJBcnF1aXRldHVyYSBOb3ZhOiB1bSBub3ZvIG9saGFyIHNvYnJlIG8gZmF6ZXIgYXJxdWl0ZXQmI3hGNDtuaWNvIG5vIEJyYXNpbCJ9LHsiaWQiOjIxMjc2NywidGl0bGUiOiI1IGNvaXNhcyBwYXJhIGZhemVyIGFnb3JhIGUgcHJlcGFyYXIgYSBzdWEgY2FzYSBwYXJhIG8gZmluYWwgZG8gYW5vIn1d
