Have you ever said, “I'm on energy saving mode,” while lying down and playing with your phone complete with the AC on the lowest temperature or the fan running and the television on? It must be very comfortable, enjoy your time by relaxing at home. Especially since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, you are spending more and more time at home with all kinds of gadgets that support your needs. Though there are several ways to save energy at home that you can do.
But did you know that all these electronic devices work with the support of electrical energy whose main source is coal? This energy source is not environmentally friendly because in addition to producing air pollution, this energy source also damages the environment.
The Indonesian government still relies on this dirty energy source because the price is cheaper than other energy sources. In fact, coal causes market failures with external factors, namely excluding the resulting environmental impacts into the final price of electricity from coal sources. This is what causes an increase in global temperature or what we often hear with the term climate change.
Before discussing how to save energy, let's identify energy and its sources first. Energy sources are generally divided into two, namely fossil energy sources and new renewable energy (EBT).
Fossil Energy
Fossil energy is a natural resource that contains hydrocarbons, such as coal, oil and natural gas. Fossil energy is formed due to a natural process in the form of decay of organisms that died hundreds of millions of years ago. Due to the long formation process, this resource is also limited.
In addition, the process of obtaining and during the use of this energy source incurs huge environmental losses. One of them is the level of carbon emissions produced. Carbon emissions affect global temperature levels which also affect the acceleration of climate change. Therefore, currently many countries are starting to switch to more environmentally friendly energy.
New Renewable Energy (EBT)
New and renewable energy is a source of energy that comes from sustainable natural processes. This energy source is abundant, especially in Indonesia. Examples of NRE sources are solar, wind power, micro hydro, biogas, and geothermal. In addition to its abundant availability, this energy source does not produce as much pollution as fossil energy. Although the price is more expensive, currently Indonesia has started to switch to using EBT, for example by installing rooftop solar panels. This energy source is also a solution to electrify islands or remote areas of Indonesia.
Well, now you know what is meant by energy. Energy that produces a lot of gas emissions will increase greenhouse gases and can worsen climate change conditions. In addition to making the energy transition from fossil energy to NRE, we can also make energy efficiency or save the energy that we use in our daily needs. Here's an easy way to save energy at home that you can apply.
5 Easy Ways to Save Energy at Home
1. Use Energy Saving Lamps
Energy-saving lamps of the CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) and LED (Light Emiting Diode) types use far less electrical power than filament lamps (incandescent lamps) to produce the same bright power.
2. Turn Off Unused Power Tools
For example, turning off the TV when not watching or turning off the AC when leaving the house.
3. Use Electricity Efficiently
The simple thing we can do is to unplug the charger when it's finished charging the phone. In addition to making a washing and ironing schedule. Ironing clothes once a day will save more electrical energy than ironing clothes twice a day because the heating process also uses energy.
4. Follow the Efficient Use of Electrical Equipment
Suggestions such as closing windows or doors for air-conditioned rooms are one of the suggestions for using it to save energy. In addition, frequent opening of the refrigerator also affects cooling efficiency and energy use.
5. Open Windows and Curtains during the Day
Opening windows and curtains during the day maximizes daylight, thereby reducing the need for electricity to power the lights. Opening windows is also useful for reducing heat in the house so you may not need an air conditioner or fan.
How to save energy at home earlier can be applied easily and does not require large costs. By doing these 5 easy things, you are already helping to fight global warming and preserving the environment. A polluted environment can be a serious health threat. In addition to doing the simple efforts above, you can also add health insurance for your family to avoid various unwanted losses in the future.