Eco TIPS ALERT! Cut energy use, cut costs

As we are starting to renovate our new house, besides shopping like crazy but happy wife for lightings (SGD1500 gone and still 2 more lights to be purchased) and other furniture, we are more conscious when come to buy our home appliances, painting, lightings and other fittings as we want to have a greener home for our sake!

extracted from greenmark

Tips on Selecting A Greener Home
Home orientation
A home that is well positioned will significantly improve comfort and also reduce energy bills. Choose home with minimum surface areas and windows on west. Avoid home with full height glazing facing west. Heat gained from solar radiation by east/west facades is much higher than north/south facades.

Sun-shading
Home with proper sun-shading will improve comfort. Sun-shading should be provided for facades facing east and west to shade the home from direct sunlight to minimize solar heat gain. Balconies and/or planters and bay windows may act as sunshades.

Natural Ventilation
Home with good natural ventilation is the least expensive ways of cooling a home. Home layout should be designed to take advantage of Singapore’s prevailing north-south wind conditions to achieve adequate cross ventilation within home.

Energy
The electrical appliances provided such as air-conditioners and refrigerators should have “Energy Label”. Detailed information on energy efficiency of various models of air-conditioners and refrigerators can be found at Singapore’s Energy Labelling homepage http://www.nccc.gov.sg/energylabel

For example, based on a 20,000 BTU/hour system 3 air-conditioner, you could expect $960 in annual savings if your air-conditioner has 4 ticks.

Choose energy saving lamps that convert more consumed energy to usable light and less heat energy. Avoid incandescent lamps that may convert only 10% of its power to usable light. Halogen lights are extremely energy consuming, instead standing lamps with standard fittings can be considered.

Water Efficient Fittings
The water fittings such as flushing cisterns, showers and taps should have “Water Efficiency Label”. Detailed information on water efficient labeled fittings can be obtained from Public Utilities Board website http://www.pub.gov.sg./

Maximize Daylight
Ceilings and walls should also have a highly reflective white surfaces to help diffuse daylight into the space within the home.

Smart Controls
Review and monitor any other on/off controls such as programmable time clock settings, integral equipment controls, lighting photocells, and occupancy sensors for proper operation. This reduces unnecessary wastage of energy.

Indoor Air Quality
In the painting or renovating a home, it is important to use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) and low-toxic interior paints and finishes to reduce toxins ordinarily associated with other paints. Using these types of paints improves the overall indoor air quality of the home.

IN THE HOME

An air-conditioner consumes 10 times more energy than an electric fan. Use an electric fan where possible. If you have to use an air-conditioner, increase the temperature by 1ºC and reduce energy bills by at least 10 per cent. Or set the air-conditioner at 25ºC for the most comfort at the least cost.
Reduce annual CO2 emissions by 860kg. Save $310.

Buy Energy Label air-conditioners and refrigerators. The more ticks the more efficient the household appliance.
Reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2,440kg. Save $880.

Switch off electrical appliances - DVD/VCD players, hi-fi stereos, TVs, computers, printers - at the main power source, instead of leaving them on stand-by mode.
Reduce annual CO2 emissions by 240kg. Save $90.