RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The high temperatures, typical of summer, lead consumers to purchase air conditioners, fans and refrigerators that can cool the heat somewhat. But the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), linked to the Ministry of Economy, alerts to precautions that should be taken to save electrical power this season of the year.
Data from the National Electrical Energy Agency (ANEEL) show that in the summer the electricity bill can increase by up to 8.6%. The fact that more people are working from home can also imply a greater use of household appliances and the resulting increase in spending on the electricity bill.
To help families have a rational energy consumption, INMETRO created the Brazilian Labeling Program (PBE), which classifies appliances according to their energy efficiency, helping consumers make better-informed purchases.
The products classified with the letter A are the most efficient. Depending on the appliance, this classification can reach G for the least efficient, in the case of refrigerators.
INMETRO’s air conditioning and refrigeration coordinator, Danielle Assafin, said that the first tip for consumers is always to buy products that use less power. “If there is doubt between two similar models, we advise consumers to choose the product that consumes less power, even if there is a price difference between models.”. Danielle explained that, often, the excess price is paid back within a few months and justifies he purchase in relation to another cheaper model, but one that consumes more energy.
Refrigerators
According to the coordinator, the information on energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh) on the INMETRO label is relevant. “It is precisely energy consumption that determines how much you will spend per month with that product.”
However, Danielle noted that it is no use choosing more efficient products if consumers don’t have good product use practices. In the case of refrigerators, Danielle recommended that consumers should maintain a distance between the lateral sides of the product and the wall, because “only with that correct distancing will the refrigerator adequately exchange heat with the environment. This is a first direction we provide.”
Consumers should also prevent hot air from the environment entering the refrigerator. This can be achieved by opening the door for as short a time as possible, to avoid wasting energy. One should “never” place hot food in the refrigerator, only after it reaches room temperature. It is also necessary to constantly check sealing.
When dirty, cleaning them is essential; if they are dry, a replacement can be considered to ensure insulation of the appliance. “These are good practices that help not only to reduce consumption, but also the good functioning of the product,” suggested Danielle Assafin.
Still in the case of refrigerators, the program coordinator stressed that some models come with a condenser or coil in the back. Under no circumstances should clothing be hung there to dry because this impacts on greater energy consumption and affects the efficient operation of the refrigeration system. If this coil has dirt or grease on it, consumers are advised to clean it.
Fans
Danielle recalled that, in the case of fans, the INMETRO label also contains information about the flow, i.e. the amount of wind that the device can produce. Consumers should choose the device that produces more wind.
Just like with refrigerators, cleaning and maintenance are important for the conservation of fans. “Check that the screws are always tight. In the case of ceiling fans, the propellers should be balanced to ensure the desired efficiency.”
Another advice is not to leave the fan on when you are not around. “You have to always turn off the device. In the end, no energy is wasted,” she emphasized.
Air conditioning
Danielle Assafin clarified that in the case of air-conditioning appliances, the recommendation is similar to that of refrigerators, because they are both cooling systems. In larger environments, where temperatures reach a maximum of 17ºC, according to the user’s manual, one should not leave doors open, but rather close them immediately, to prevent hot air from entering the environment being cooled.
Likewise, gaps and semi-open windows should be avoided. “If they are insulated, even better.” Preventing sunlight from eventually raising the temperature of the room being cooled is another tip. To do this curtains or awnings can be used on windows. “This helps thermal comfort and demands less from the air conditioning, which will also consume less energy.”
When coming home, consumers should not set the appliance at a very cold temperature, assuming that the environment will cool faster. Danielle explained that the device will keep working until it reaches the set temperature.
“We advise users to set the device at around 23ºC because, lower than that, the air conditioner will generate an operating speed that ultimately consumes more energy. This situation is a waste,” she pointed out.
Consumers should consider buying more efficient products that consume less. Although it is still in the process of a change on the labeling of air conditioners, INMETRO said that there are now products on the market displaying the ‘invert’ technology, which consumes less energy.
The agency’s general guideline is that this kind of ‘invert’ device tends to greatly reduce energy consumption. “They have a higher efficiency than the others.” On INMETRO’s website a table with the products which have already adopted the new label is available. With it, consumers may compare consumption between products with this technology.
Another tip is that, before buying, consumers should estimate savings on lighting. To this end, they should multiply the energy consumed by the appliance in kWh (kilowatts hour) by the energy tariff practiced in each region in the country. The national average for the current residential tariff is R$0.57. Therefore, if the air-conditioning consumes 600 kWh per year, for instance, the annual spending will be 600xR$0.57, totaling R$342 per year. Danielle Assafin recalled that each region has a distinct tariff, according to the energy provider.
Consumer Defense Institute
Based on energy efficiency data from INMETRO’s Brazilian Labeling Program, the Consumer Defense Institute (IDEC) developed a tool that helps choose the appliance considering energy consumption.
It is a calculator that converts the energy consumption of refrigerators, fans, air conditioners, television sets and washing machines into money. “This calculator helps consumers estimate their electricity bills. Consumers will enter which product they are interested in, how long they use it each day, and what capacity they want. The calculator also asks in which region someone lives because each energy provider practices a different rate.”
Based on this data, the IDEC calculator will perform calculations for the different models. “There, you are able to see, in reais, how much you save with a more efficient product”. Danielle added that often the difference in purchase price is offset by energy savings over the months. “It’s very important to make the right choice.”