Energy savings 1

 Methods of energy costs savings in a typical household

Following steps are taken to save electricity in a typical household (area 25ft X 50 ft) with a family of six. It results in a savings of around 60 units (one unit is equal to 1 KWh). An important aspect of this savings is that due to this lesser usage of energy, the consumer can avoid the high slab of 300 units above which the usage cost is more than Rs 20/KWh of flat rate (excluding taxes). Roughly this contributes to 20% of the electricity cost (savings of around Rs 2000 per month).

These steps include usage of mobile phone spec LEDs (flashlight in a typical smartphone) on 24 hrs basis in all rooms, addition of infra-red sensor equipped bulbs (around 6 Watts), replacement of inefficient exhaust fans and utilization of LED based bulbs instead of old tungsten or power saver bulbs. Future plans are for addition of motion detection features to washroom exhausts and timer control to these fans and water motors. The details of the steps taken are as follows

Use of single LED bulbs in each room (that are used as mobile lights in typical smartphones) that are perpetually ON reduces the usage of energy intensive lightening for typical domestic menial tasks. These are also beneficial if these are connected to UPS (uninterrupted power supplies) so these avoid darkness in the case of load shedding or power break down and lower drainage of the UPS. 

For such tasks when a person comes to a room for minutes of time such as to pick or drop something, toggle a switch and even for coming down for sleep, infra red operated bulbs are very beneficial. These come usually with a pre-set timer which is for five minutes typically. 

It was observed that a lot of energy is wasted by usage of bulky and swirly exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. These have been replaced by efficient and sleek fans which are typically used as cooling fans for computing devices. In this case, 135 W fans have been replaced by 50 W fans with lesser noise and smooth operation along with cost savings. It is to be noted that research work on an efficient Aerodynamic fan is under progress.

In the area, water is supplied from the dams in suburbs and first collected in the underground tanks on daily basis. This is then pumped to the roof base water tank by usage of a water pump. The same process is repeated for the case of water borehole arrangements that supply water to the underground tank. It has been observed that roof tanks overflow a lot of time since it is not predictable how much water is to be pumped upwards. Timer control switch for 15 minutes is used for this pumping motor which avoids overflow most of the times.

Bulky power hungry tubelights have been replaced by LED based tube lights. In typical cases 40 W tubelight is replaced by 16 W LED tubelight. This also avoids the use of current choke circuit which introduces a surge of current at the time of turning it ON. This helps in maintaining stable grid supply.

In homes, where there is sufficient sunlight available, energy can be generated by use of solar panels. These can even be supplied to the Grid and hence money can be earned. There are options available in which energy producing hardware and its auxiliary devices can be provided by manufacturing companies free of cost and rent is to be paid to the home-owners. This is known as Net-metering and in the development phase these days.

Along with these measures, it is possible to use solar panels that give energy at a rate of Rs 25-30 per KWh.

Measures to reduce usage of Gas (methane) for heating and cooking purposes

Methane gas is a cheap fuel abundantly available in Pakistan which is used for domestic cooking and heating. Its important industrial uses are urea (fertilizer) making and usage in the form of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) for automotive applications. Due to increase in its industrial consumption it has become scarce and subsequently dearer. The measures taken to reduce its domestic usage are installation of Instant Water Geysers, Imported (Japanese) hybrid room heaters and addition of gas alarms at different places in the household. These are explained below

Instant water geysers are turned ON only when the water is being used. As compared to traditional water geysers their duration of operation is greatly reduced. A traditional tank based water geyser maintains a tank of water (typically 35 gallons capacity) heated at a certain temperature which is pre-set by a dial and controlled by a thermocouple. Hence, it is usually observed that during relatively warmer days warm water is available earlier as compared to colder days or at nights. However, the use of an Instant Geyser has potential of generating fire explosion in the case of gas leakage or resumption of gas supply after a shutdown. To counter this danger, gas detectors/alarms are used that go off in the case of gas leakage. The use of cooking burners or Instant geyser is immediately checked in such cases.

The use of imported heaters of hybrid type (typically of Japanese make) result in a lot of efficiency, safety and savings. These hybrid heaters operate on gas supply and electricity supply both. The advantage is that their range of operation is extended to the times when gas is being supplied at lower pressure. Furthermore, control of the burner through electricity means efficiency and covered configuration of the burner ensures safety for use in a typical household. It has also the advantage that it can be operated continuously because of automatic temperature control as compared to manually operated traditional heaters. Due to this, uniform heated environment is possible throughout day and night.

Use of gas detectors in places other than the vicinity of Instant geysers and cooking burners have the advantage that leakage in gas lines is also checked. Along with safety these are also beneficial in terms of avoiding costly gas losses.

Heat proofing of Roofs

A significant advantage in savings of power can be gained if the rooftops are treated such that these act as strong insulators of heat. This is relevant especially in the summer months. There can be different approaches such as whitewashing of the roof, doing clay ‘lapai’ and use of thermopore sheets. The latter is used in this study and a significant drop in the mean room temperature i.e upto 6 degree C has been observed. The sheets used are 4 inch in thickness (2 inch thick sheets are available in the market) which are covered with bricks or other masonery for reducing the effect of harsh weather. 

Bio-Sand Water Filter

Bio-sand water filter can be developed at home and is very efficient to remove contaminations in water. Beneficial bacteria are reproduced in upper part of the sand and these kill harmful bacteria. This sand is replaced after two to three months with fresh sand. The container is dark since these bacteria work best in such environment. At the outlet, zeolite membrane is used for further filtering.   (Dr Umar Iqbal Bhatti)