We are increasingly aware of energy savings in our homes, as not only the future of our planet but also our wallets depend on it. With gas and electricity prices soaring, SPC, the Spanish technology company specializing in the development of smart products, offers some advice and warns about the false myths surrounding supposedly effective energy-saving habits.
The upcoming March 5th marks World Energy Efficiency Day, a date aimed at raising awareness about the importance of using the energy available to us efficiently and sustainably. With fossil fuel and electricity prices skyrocketing due to the global situation, rational use of our supplies will help mitigate the significant impact that rising energy costs have on our household economy.
According to data from late 2021 released by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Spain exceeded the EU target of 20% efficiency in 2020, reaching 35.4%. However, these figures are influenced by the impact of the pandemic and the reduced economic activity during the harsh months of lockdown.
There is still a long way to go for homes to be energy efficient, and for this, we must pay special attention to those tips that most affect savings and dispel false myths about certain actions that many people still believe are efficient. On World Energy Efficiency Day, SPC, the Spanish technology company specializing in the development of smart products, compiles both to contribute to a more sustainable future, both for our economy and the environment.
Heating: is it better to turn it off when not in use or keep it at a constant temperature?
It is commonly believed that turning heating on and off causes a consumption spike, but this is not true. According to estimates from the IDAE, if we turn off the heating at night and turn it on early in the morning, we will reduce our consumption. When we sleep, and the house can maintain a good temperature thanks to the heat generated throughout the day, it is enough for the house to be between 15 and 17ºC to rest comfortably.
If it is difficult to keep the house within that temperature range, the problem might be poor insulation, which causes heat to escape through window joints. Fortunately, this is easily fixed with weatherstripping, which costs between five and ten euros.
We also have the option, in colder areas, to keep the rooms we use at a comfortable temperature and leave less-used rooms unheated. In this regard, climate control solutions like the smart valve kit SPC Vesta Starter Kit allow precise temperature management in every corner of the house, which in the long run will lead to lower energy consumption and considerable savings.
Does programming the washing machine and dishwasher to run at night help save energy?
It depends on whether we have a fixed-rate tariff that is constant 24 hours a day (free market), or if we have time-of-use pricing under the regulated PVPC market. If our contracted tariff is fixed, the cost of running a washing machine or dishwasher is the same at any time of day. However, if we have a time-of-use tariff, consumption during off-peak hours will be cheaper than during peak hours, although it is recommended to check (there are apps and websites that show this) the electricity cost by time slots, as it is usually lower at night and on weekends.
If our appliances lack time programming, we can always use a smart plug like the SPC Clever Plug USB and control their operation remotely to schedule them conveniently, adapting to the best electricity prices of our tariff. To save even more with these appliances, for the dishwasher we can choose eco programs, which are longer but use less energy; and for the washing machine, cold water programs, with shorter or longer spin cycles depending on whether we can use sunlight to dry clothes.
Do plugged-in devices really consume that much energy when not in use?
Phantom power consumption, or standby, occurs when devices are off or in rest mode but still plugged in. The most well-known example is the red LED on the TV, which lights up as soon as we press the remote control. This quick start-up of appliances has an energy cost: 10.7% of the total household consumption per year, according to the IDAE, which in practice is like having another high-consumption appliance at home, such as a desktop computer or dishwasher.
Fortunately, smart plugs also act as monitors of this residual but constant consumption and can prevent it by being operated intuitively and remotely.
Is installing LED bulbs at home enough to save on the electricity bill?
Although having LED lighting at home is a considerable saving compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, as they are very efficient and emit little heat (such as smart Wi-Fi bulbs), savings can be even greater if combined with Wi-Fi switches like SPC Hemera, which not only control lighting from their front panel like a conventional switch but also allow turning lights on and off remotely from your mobile device, anytime and anywhere. A very practical and simple way to have full control over home lighting, resulting in savings on the electricity bill.
Are energy labels on appliances useful?
Since 2021, the energy efficiency of appliances has changed, returning to the A (highest efficiency) to G (lowest) scale, instead of the A+++/D scale. Also, as this scale is more demanding, a very efficient 2020 appliance (A+++) might now be class B if manufactured in 2021.
For high-consumption devices like refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers, it is advisable to pay attention to their rating, as the new labels include not only energy consumption but also other relevant data such as water consumption, noise in decibels, etc. Therefore, energy labels are a great way to consider the cost of each appliance and an important factor when deciding to replace old devices with more efficient ones, saving several euros not only on electricity but also on water bills.
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