Ways of saving energy in the daily life

at home/ at school/ at officeStudents´ opinions

Why do we have to save energy?

we obtain energy from oil, coal and gas, nonrenewable resources. On the other hand, we have resources that are renewable and those can regain power. It is not enough. Therefore, we must try not to waste energy and treat our planet environmentally that future generation can enjoy energy for their life as we do.

Green tips

A green world begins with a green home.

The energy-saving ideas you used at home can also be used in school.

IN THE LIVING ROOM

Buy energy-efficient products

Energy saving light bulbs utilize up to 80% less electricity than a standard bulb, producing the same amount of light. These bulbs can help save energy and money. From light bulbs to kitchen goods to home entertainment equipment - there are a plethora of energy efficient appliances now on the market.

Advice: Fit your home and office with energy saving appliances and save energy.

Matej´s opinion: It´s expensive but at the end you´ll save a lot of money, because their lifetime is longer.

Never leave your charger plugged

Leaving electronic gadgets plugged, even if they are not being utilized, can contribute greatly to your electric consumption. You are so used to leaving everything plugged without knowing that your electric meter is still running even if the appliance is turned off.

Advice: Unplug your battery charger from the wall socket as soon as you finish charging your mobile phone battery.

Dan´s opinion: It is difficult for us to unplugg the battery charger immediately after the charge, because usually we are not at home or sleep. I realize that I have to unplugg it because it consumes too much energy.

Lucie´s opinion: Children don´t save energy, because parents pay the bill. Anyway they have to pay it!

Turn it downTurning your thermostat down by just 1 or 2 degrees can reduce your energy consumption by over 5 percent. You won't even notice the difference in room temperature.

Advice: Don´t heat rooms when you are not using them.

Fix the drafts In an average house, up to 50 percent of heat is lost through drafts. You can save a lot of money on your yearly heating bill.

Advice: Fix drafts around all exterior doors and interior if need.

Ondra´s opinion: Lowering the temperature in the flat we will reduce gas and electricity consumption. People find it unnecessary, because they don´t realize the difference at the bill.

Switch it offSwitch off the television when there are no viewers. Don't use the "standby" function on you TV, stereo and DVD player. Appliances left on standby mode can draw an average of 5-10 percent of household energy use!

Turn if offThe same goes for computers, radios and stereos - if no one is using it, turn it off.If you are going to be out of the room for more than five minutes, turn off the light.

Advice: If you know of an appliance that everyone forgets to turn off, make a sticker or a sign to hang next to the switch that says "Lights Out!" or "Don't Forget!"

Tomas´ opinion: We don´t switch on lights at home until it´s light outside.

Petra´s opinion: People are lazy and forgetful.

Save energy while you are using your computer

Turn off your computer. Leaving the screen saver on will not save any energy. Screen savers can use more energy than when you are using the computer yourself, and can reduce the life of your monitor.Another way to reduce power while you are using computers is to reduce screen brightness. This will also increase the battery time for your laptop.

Advice: Turn off your computer and screen when you leave.

Charge the battery

If you buy things that can be used over and over instead of buying disposable items that are used once and then thrown away, you will save natural resources. You'll also save energy used to make them, and you'll reduce the amount of landfill space we need when they are thrown away.

Advice: Don´t throw non-rechargeable batteries into the bin. Use a special container or buy rechargeable batteries.

Dan´s opinion: I use only rechargeable batteries because they outlast.

IN THE BATHROOM

Clothes and dishesNever use the dishwasher or washing machine unless it houses a full load.

Advice: If you must wash a partial load, use the economy or half load setting.

Barca´s opinion: If you are just two in a house, you don ´t need a dishwasher.

Kaja´s opinion: The problem is that you sort white and colored clothes. If you don´t do it, you will fill the washing machine everytime.

Tumble dryers use up a huge amount of energy.

Advice: If possible, hang your clothes on a line instead. This is better for your clothes as well.

Wash economically

Advice: But the most important point is to take a shower instead of a bath.

Another simple way to save water and energy is to take shorter showers. You'll use less hot water - and water heaters account for nearly 1/4 of your home's energy use.

Lucie´s opinion: Shower is also ideal from a health perspective.

Turn it on

If you have fans, turn them on. The blowing air can make you feel 5 degrees cooler, without running the air conditioner. Fans use a lot less electricity than air conditioners!

Decrease the hot water temperature

Your hot water thermostat needn't be higher than 60 degrees Celsius. You will only be mixing it with cold water to cool it back down for use.

Close the tapWhen you are brushing teeth or shaving you should close the tap. You are wasting water. If you can learn to brush your teeth with cold or cool water. Soon you get used to and don´t need to waste hot water, which costs money and energy.

Advice: Don ´t forget to close the taps!

Check your taps whether they are tight. If water is dripping from them you waste water again.

Advice: Check your water baterry!

IN THE KITCHEN

Kitchen appliances

Don't keep the fridge door open any longer than you need to. Close it to keep the cold air inside! Fridge needs more energy to compensate temperature, if it is open. You prolong its lifetime, too.

Advice: Keep the temperature in your fridge between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius.

Defrost your freezer regulary. Don´t leave it open.

Advice: Keep the temperature in the freezer up to minus 18 degrees Celsius.

WaterAlways boil only as much water as you need.

Before you begin to pour hot water in the shower, turn the cold water flowing into the bucket and use it for watering and cleaning.

Reuse water which comes out of the tap that would drain otherwise. When you turn up the hot water on a tap, put a container under the tap until the water is warm enough. Then use the water in the container to water plants or use for other purposes. This saves a surprising amount of water.

Water your flowers after sunset.

Barca´s opinion: Some people suffer from water shortage, we can help them if we are not wasting water.

OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

Alternative energy

Solar hot water systems are more economical than gas or electric water heaters and most solar hot water systems contain gas or electric boosters for times when there is insufficient sun.

It´s more expensive and no everyone can buy them. But if you invest your money, your energy is free forever.

Advice: Install solar panels on the roof.

The more people that take this step, the more we can change the world.

There are many other ways how to save energy and money. You probably have your own ideas and could realize them at school or at home. If not, use our advices. Maybe you still think it's unnecessary. But the problem touches us more and more and we have to think of it. You can start whatever you want with. Every step is right.

A few words in conclusion