ELECTRICITYCONSERVATION

Practical Guidelines to Rationalize Electricity

Consumption

There is no doubt that we are all aware of the importance of electricity in our daily lives in all sectors. Therefore, we found that promoting the culture of electricity rationalization and access to every member of the society is an urgent need by inviting all customers to participate in the preservation of our vital resources for future generations through the adoption of a culture of rationalization in the consumption of electricity.

The following is a set of practical ideas and simple tips that will help you in your daily life to adopt positive behavior in rationalizing the consumption of electricity. We hope that every member of the society benefits from and apply them.

Electricity Rationalization in the consumption of air-conditioners

The climate of Muscat Governorate is humid and very hot in the summer and air conditioners are extensively used to reduce the high temperatures, which reach their peak in the summer to nearly 50 degrees Celsius, leading to rising demand for electricity to run air conditioners. The estimated power consumed by air conditioners is about 70% of the total energy consumed in each building or facility.

The climate of Muscat Governorate is humid and very hot in the summer and air conditioners are extensively used to reduce the high temperatures, which reach their peak in the summer to nearly 50 degrees Celsius, leading to rising demand for electricity to run air conditioners. The estimated power consumed by air conditioners is about 70% of the total energy consumed in each building or facility.

Temperature adjustment (thermostat) has an impact on electricity consumption as the compressor in the air conditioner consumes about (1800 Btu) per day equivalent to the consumption 25 normal lamps. In this way, this consumes the majority of electricity of air conditioner. Therefore, we recommend that you set your thermostat to 23 central for central conditioners and 7 for window air conditioners to reduce the number of hours of power operation which in turn leads to reduced consumption of electricity.

Quality of air conditioners and impact on consumption: we recommend customers to ask about the type and quality of the air conditioner before purchase and make sure of the availability of many technical features that can be read on the factory label that contains important information about the energy efficiency, cooling, warranty period and use of techniques to reduce consumption. Make sure to purchase an air conditioner that saves electricity and of high quality to save 16-40% of the bill value.Regular maintenance of air-conditioners and their impact on electricity-saving: we recommend customers to conduct regular maintenance of air-conditioners (at least once a year) to ensure that it works in the best way that reduces its power consumption. Maintenance should ensure that:

Air filter is always clean.

Air-conditioner tube, evaporator, and external cabin are clean.There is no rust.

Compressor works efficiently.

Motors and electrical connections are good.

The device is fixed well.

Important guidelines to rationalize lighting

To rationalize the energy consumed in lighting, there are several ways

you can benefit fromWe recommend using lighting reducing circuits which reduce about 40% of electricity consumption.

We recommend using a timer for external lighting for lighting installed on exterior walls or facades of public or private buildings or establishments to stop the wasteful consumption of electricity.

Benefit as much as possible of the natural lighting (sunlight) during daylight hours and turn off unnecessary lighting.We

We recommend using one 100 watt lamp because it is better than using 4 lamps of 25 watts each.

We recommend installing reflectors for compact fluorescent lamps as they increase light intensity.

Correct and studied design for lamps in rooms and buildings: the optimal economic lighting in modern buildings is 8 watts per square meter and in old buildings 35 watts per square meter.

Type

Traditional tungsten lamps

Compact fluorescent lamps

(power saving)

Light Intensity

15-25

40-81

Lumens / watt

800

18000

Supposed life/h

0%

62-81%

Avoid overloads

The increase in unlicensed electrical loads caused power outages. It was also a major cause of many fires. Therefore, we recommend applying for additional load for extra electrical loads to the competent department and obtain its consent before implementation.

Violation of increased loads

Necessary guidelines for the problems of increasing loads

Increasing electrical loads on electrical wiring and devices in the building.

Making any adjustments on the breakers or electricity meters in the building.

Changing the use of the building (such as, from residential to commercial).

Check through a licensed electrician the safety of all electrical connections.

Economize electricity consumption by turning off non-essential electrical appliances.Avoid adding loads at peak times from 12 p.m. to five p.m.

Conduct periodic maintenance of electrical devices.

Provide fire extinguishers (powder) suitable for extinguishing electricity fires.

Refer to the electricity office of MEDC prior to any modification or additions to the circuit breakers.

Rationalization in the consumption of certain

electrical appliances

Water heaters

The capacity of the ordinary electric heater ranges between 1000 and 3000 watts [1-3 kW] equivalent to that of a window air-conditioner of 18.000 BTUs. Therefore, we must use water heater only when it is needed as it consumes a large amount of electric power. The following are some guidance on how to use water heater:

Set the regulator at a temperature of 60-70 degrees Celsius.

Check the workability of the thermostat and the presence of top safety valve.

Make sure there is no leakage in the hot water connections.

Disconnect electricity from the heater in the summer as there is no need for it.Conduct periodic cleaning of water heater tank to ensure high efficiency and less electricity consumption.Use solar water heaters as much as possible.

Electric cooking stoves

The electrical load for this kind of stoves is among the large loads of the residential sector, especially when igniting the upper part thereof (burner) and the oven at one time. The capacity of this burner varies from 1000 to 2000 watts while that of the oven may exceed 2000 watts.

Rationalization of the use of electric cooking stoves:

Operate when absolutely necessary.

Do not run the full stove at the same time.

Avoid operating it as much as possible at peak times from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Electric refrigerator

It is difficult for the consumer to rationalize the consumption of electric power for the refrigerator because it requires running continuously. However, there are steps through which consumers can rationalize the consumption of the refrigerator as follows:

Purchase a high quality refrigerator with a low rate of power consumption.

Set thermostat reasonably so that temperature is not very cold resulting in excess consumption of electricity.Do not to put the refrigerator in hot places or places exposed to direct sunlight.

Put the refrigerator away from the wall a distance of not less than 15 cm for compressor ventilation.Do not put hot food directly in the refrigerator.

Rationalization by using thermal insulation

Thermal insulation is a substance or mixture of substances that have the ability to slow heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the building.

Thermal Insulation

Wall

Wall

Iron

Benefits of using thermal insulation in buildings

Thermal insulation has several benefits in reduction and rationalization of electricity amounting to more than 40%. These benefits are hereunder summarized:

Reduce the amount of electrical energy used, because the thermal insulation keeps the internal temperature of the building within acceptable rates and reduces the consumption of electric air conditioners.Reduce the temperature of the room walls of the building equipped with thermal insulation 8 degrees Celsius compared with other walls.

Prolong the life of the building by reducing cracks in the walls caused by high temperatures and humidity.Protect the environment by reducing air conditioning gas in the air and electricity consumption.Protect furniture from damage due to high temperature.

Fire resistance.

Better control the level of humidity and steam.

Criteria for selecting thermal insulation materials

The thermal insulation material should:Has low thermal conductivity.

Has homogenous and closed cell structure.

Has good absorption of steam and water.

Be resistant to breakage, bending and pressure and meet all requirements.

Be resistant to bacteria, acids and rotting.

Be fire resistant.

General guidelines on the use of thermal insulation in buildings

When insulating roofs, a plastic barrier (polyethylene) or fiber should be placed.

Heat insulators should be fixed without leaving spaces between them of more than half a centimeter.

In buildings metal panels are used in their structure, thermal insulators resistant to melting should be used.t

Thermal insulation works should be carried out under the supervision of a competent engineer.