How can we save electricity?

1. Make the most of natural light.

Open all the windows and let in the sunlight! Whenever possible, use natural light instead of artificial lighting; this will significantly save you electricity. Furthermore, there is ample evidence showing that exposure to natural light, especially in the morning, is very beneficial to human health, leading to improved mood, alertness, and focus in daily activities.

2. Change the light bulb.

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs is one of the smart solutions for saving energy. Because incandescent bulbs operate on the principle of using heat, about 95% of electrical energy is converted into heat, leaving only 5% for lighting, thus not saving electricity. Meanwhile, compact fluorescent and LED bulbs are known to be more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan.

3. Turn off the lights when leaving the room.

This is the simplest way to save electricity, and it really works. Besides that, to save even more, you can use candles! Just imagine how wonderful the surroundings would be with the flickering, romantic candlelight. However, if that's not convenient, you only need to use them once or twice a week, but be mindful of everyone's safety when using candles.

Method 2: For electrical devices

1. Choose equipment that suits the user's needs.

When buying, you should look for appliances that consume less or are energy-efficient, choosing electrical appliances such as water heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, etc., that have sizes, capacities, and power ratings suitable for the user's needs. This is because the larger the size, capacity, and power rating of the appliance, the more electricity it consumes.

2. Unplug all unused devices.

Did you know that devices plugged in continue to consume energy even when they're turned off? Even small devices like phone chargers (left plugged in only when needed) or hair dryers consume a significant amount of electricity. So, don't hesitate to unplug devices like TVs, computers, sound systems, and fans when not in use – it's a practical way to save electricity.

3. Replace old electrical appliances.

Replace old electrical appliances with new ones designed to save energy and reduce carbon emissions, saving on repair costs while ensuring quality of use.

4. How to use appliances to save electricity.

Televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, etc., are frequently used appliances that consume a large amount of energy. Therefore, to achieve high efficiency and save electricity, the following measures should be implemented:

- Air conditioner: The temperature should be set at 25°C or higher during the day and 27°C or higher at night. Flexibly adjusting the settings on the air conditioner remote control also helps reduce energy consumption. For example, on days that aren't too hot and humid, set the air conditioner to Dry mode; conversely, on hot, humid days, switch to Cool mode. Regularly clean and maintain the unit, and turn off the air conditioner if you leave the room for an hour or more.

- Refrigerator: The refrigerator should be placed in a dry, well-ventilated location, away from heat sources such as stoves and heaters. The sides and back of the refrigerator must be at least 10 cm away from the wall to ensure natural air circulation. When using the refrigerator, avoid opening the door too many times; open and close the door as quickly as possible. Do not put hot food inside or overload the refrigerator with food. Adjust the temperature to a suitable level, ideally at the medium setting. Regularly clean and check the refrigerator door seal to prevent leaks and wasted electricity.

- Washing machine: Use detergent at normal temperature, only turn on the hot water setting when absolutely necessary. Wash clothes only when you have loaded the standard amount of clothes and regularly clean and maintain the washing machine. Another point to note is that top-loading washing machines are more energy-efficient than front-loading ones.

- Water heater: Adjust the water temperature to a suitable level, around 40°C. Avoid running the water heater continuously, as this can damage it due to overload and pose a safety hazard if a leak occurs while showering with the water still plugged in. You should heat only enough water for a specific period and disconnect the power before use. Instead of a bathtub, you can use a shower. Using a shower saves hot water and eliminates the need to heat a large amount of water.

- Computer: If your computer is running too many programs or connected to USB devices, PC cards, etc., it will consume more power faster. Therefore, you should close unnecessary programs and disconnect unnecessary devices. Choose Standby (Sleep) mode when you want to stop working for a short time to protect your computer. In addition, you should reduce screen brightness or turn off the screen when not in use. This is a simple but highly effective way to save energy.

- Microwave oven: Turning on the microwave in an air-conditioned room or placing it near the refrigerator are mistakes that not only affect the appliance's operation but also waste electricity. Carefully read the user manual to select the correct power level for each type of food. Limit or avoid opening the microwave door frequently while cooking and ensure the door is securely closed.

- Iron: When ironing clothes, choose the appropriate setting for each fabric type. Iron all the clothes you need once a week; this will both utilize the iron's heat and save time. Especially avoid ironing wet clothes as this wastes a lot of electricity. The heat from the iron lingers for quite a while, so you can still iron a few more thin clothes after unplugging it.

Method 3: For renewable energy sources

Today, with the rapid pace of socio-economic development and population growth, human energy needs are also increasing. However, energy sources such as coal and oil are rapidly declining and gradually becoming depleted. Hydropower capacity is also decreasing due to the impact of weather affecting water levels in hydropower reservoirs and environmental impacts. Therefore, the exploitation and development of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, rain, and wave energy is an inevitable trend in the future.

A major advantage is that renewable energy sources are ubiquitous, found in many geographical regions. Among renewable energy sources, solar energy stands out as a growing trend and will be the direction of the new era.

To use solar energy to power electrical devices, it must be converted through a device called an inverter. By choosing to use solar power, you are taking advantage of a green and clean energy source, contributing to environmental protection, reducing the strain on the national power grid, and lowering your monthly electricity bills.