The autumn months are passing but the cold Patagonian winter has come early and therefore in Bariloche and the rest of Patagonia the citizens feel the rigor of the low temperatures. Furthermore, the need to keep homes warm becomes more complicated when paying gas and electricity bills. The economy is fragile in the country and it is not unknown that in these parts it is much more necessary to consume the vital gas fluid and/or electrical elements that keep homes warm.
There are some recommendations from specialists to save energy, they are resources that neighbors often do not give importance to but they can make a difference when ‘putting your hand in your pocket’ to proceed to pay a bill. Those people who are experts in reducing home consumption report that there are different savings strategies and they go beyond responsible and efficient use of appliances, lighting and heating equipment, since one of the main factors in the home economy It involves adequate thermal insulation of ceilings, walls, floors and openings of homes.
Among the recommended resources is the need to use weatherstripping in openings, glass wool on ceilings or polyurethane and expanded polystyrene on walls and floors, which can represent significant savings for an apartment and, to a greater extent, for a house. a calculation that becomes more important in times of rate adjustments. In this way, good thermal insulation can produce savings of up to 70% on electricity and gas bills.
Adriana López, from the Argentine PVC Association, pointed out that, of the “total energy losses due to an incorrect envelope, 40% occur through the ceiling, 30% through the walls, 20% through doors and windows. and the remaining 10% through the ground.” And she added a concept to keep in mind in times of climate change awareness: “saving energy is synonymous with reducing pollution.”
How to save gas
1) Turn off the pilots: leaving the pilots on can represent up to 5% of the natural gas consumed in Argentina, which is why it is recommended to turn them off on stoves and the water heater when they are not in use.
2) Keep filters clean: dirty filters make it difficult for air to pass through stoves and heating systems, which increases consumption.
3) Cook efficiently: small changes in cooking habits can make a big difference in gas consumption. It is recommended to cover pots to reduce heat loss and cooking time. In addition, you can also take advantage of residual heat by turning off the appliances a few minutes before the food is ready.
4) Regulate the heating: a temperature of 19°C is comfortable and enough to stay warm in winter.
5) Close the doors and windows of rooms that are not in use to avoid wasting energy from stoves.
6) Turn on the heating only in the rooms that are used: to avoid wasting consumption, it is advisable to turn off the gas radiators in the rooms that are not used. Failure to do so will increase the expense and, consequently, the bill unnecessarily.
7) Control the water temperature: regulate the water temperature directly from the water heater, hot water tank or boiler.
8) Avoid mixing cold water with hot water to reach the desired temperature.
9) Plan consumption: it is key to know how much each home appliance consumes to optimize its use.
10) Keep appliances in good condition: Perform regular maintenance on gas appliances to ensure their efficiency and prolong their useful life.
How to save electricity
1) Use LED lamps and keep them clean, since if they are dirty or in poor condition, they lose up to 50% of luminosity.
2) Open the refrigerator for the shortest amount of time possible and, when not in use, ensure that the door is tightly closed. Locate it at least 15 centimeters from heat sources, walls or furniture.
3) Wash the largest amount of clothes with the economic program. If possible, always use cold water, since hot water consumes 80% more energy.
4) Iron the clothes in a single batch.
5) On televisions and DVD and audio players, avoid the timer, instant on and standby position.
6) Turn off the computer when not in use, since consumption in “Standby” mode is equivalent to up to 70% of consumption in “On” mode.
7) Set the air conditioning to 24° C in summer and 20° C in winter. At least every six months, clean the equipment filters.
