10 Ways to Conserve Energy: National Energy Conservation Day

Posted On: 2022-12-13 14:54:37

We have learnt about the different forms of energy in our childhood; thermal, gravitational, sound, chemical, motion, and other types of energy that we see in some or other ways in our day-to-day lives. Well, if we see these forms of energy and use them to get our daily chores done, then there surely can be ways to save energy. Why?

Our daily lives depend upon energy in one way or another. 

We use it to operate a wide range of appliances, cook food, play music, light our houses, and operate industrial equipment. Excessive energy use costs money and is bad for the environment. Conventional energy, once exhausted, cannot be replenished. This means the supply of conventional energy sources is finite and could eventually run out. We need to save expenses and protect the resources for future usage, energy must be conserved. 

Every year, India observes Energy Conservation Day on December 14. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which reports to the Ministry of Power, organised the day with the goal of showcasing India's outstanding achievements in resource preservation and cost-effective energy production. The ultimate aim of the day is to raise awareness of the significance of energy conservation among the masses. 

It is a day to raise awareness and share ways to conserve energy and reduce its use. Our ancestors have lived in extreme weather conditions, and have survived several changes over the years. Adopting their basic philosophy, and valuing all energy sources in today's society, (which depends more and more on artificial lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration, and other electric conveniences) can help save energy and ensure that it is equally accessible to all people, now and in the future. This idea can be helpful in today's culture, which has an increasing need for energy for things like heating clothes and others.

Let us look at some of the ways we can opt on an individual level to save energy and reduce its use. 

1. Turn off devices and appliances when they are not in use and unplug them. This also includes switching off lights and fans when you are in the other room. 

1. Replace domestic electrical equipment with approved energy-efficient models.
2. Clean or replace air filters as recommended. Air conditioners (AC) and heaters consume more energy than other appliances. This improves efficiency and consumes less energy.
3. Use cold water for laundry and dry your clothes in natural sunlight instead of a dryer
4. Install water-saving shower heads or have bucket baths many times a week to conserve water
5. Using LED bulbs to save energy, these bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs use 
6. While using washing machines and dishwashers, make sure you operate them at full load to get the most energy-saving use from each run cycle.
7. One of your most expensive appliances, your refrigerator runs continuously. The recommended freezer and refrigerator temperatures are 4 or 5 degrees Celsius and -15 to -18 degrees, respectively.
8. Walking for short distances, taking public transport often and cycling more can help save fuel and energy.
9. Using a laptop instead of a desktop computer can save considerable energy. 

Currently, the primary energy sources are fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. However, fossil fuels negatively impact the environment. And coal stands as the number one pollutant in many parts of the world. Its burning releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which causes global warming. Burning coal also contributes to smog, soot, and acid rain. Even worse, it produces harmful air emissions that have been connected to serious health issues like cancer and congenital defects.

Hence, it's extremely important to reduce the use of conventional energy and switch to alternative uses. While the Bureau of Energy Efficiency along with other national and international organisations work on programs to save energy, let's put some efforts to conserve energy on a regular basis and contribute to the greater cause. 

Author: Anjali Patel