Plug into savings
Saving energy has always been a priority when we design residences.
How do we efficiently use all the equipment and appliances without wasting too much energy while cutting costs for our clients?
First off, let me help you identify appliance cost drivers in our homes: washer and dryer; iron; water heaters; heating and cooling systems; oven; cooktop; and non-LED lighting.
These appliances, however, are items we cannot live without. But there’s a way we can use these more efficiently in our daily routines.
Inverter technology
Inverter technology is one of my favorite features to look for when buying appliances—from airconditioning units to refrigerators and microwave ovens. Always look for the energy star logo as well.
Refrigerators, in particular, are best chosen with inverter technology—the compressor adjusts its speed based on usage, helping save up to 40 percent in energy. Avoid refrigerators with built-in ice-making features, as these tend to consume more electricity.
Smart Home devices
Sensibo is a gadget that can control indoor climate, temperature, and humidity. You can time your AC unit to be turned on for a number of hours in a day and set it to a comfortable 20 degrees without wasting too much energy.
Small appliances
Use smaller appliances for your needs. When baking lasagna in a container, ideally place it in a small oven rather than your usual big oven for less energy use. Toast two pieces of bread in a toaster rather than a toaster oven. If you need to bake, bake for more people rather than just for yourself.
High efficiency washers
High-efficiency washers use less water than regular washing machines and therefore, consume less energy. Wash with cold water. Use good detergents that require less water. Brands like Miele (my dream washer and dryer) and LG are known to work very well and help keep your clothes looking new.
Induction cooktops
Induction cooktops are more efficient than gas cooktops since the cookware is directly heated, resulting in faster heating time. Smeg offers five-, four-, and two-burner cooktops, including a single portable version.
Filter installations
Clean all appliances with filters to help them work more efficiently.
LED lighting
Clean all your light fixtures and bulbs so they provide better illumination. Switch everything to LED for less energy consumption. Lighting control is a nice addition to your home so not all fixtures are turned on unnecessarily. This can help create the right mood in your home at any time of the day. A good lighting control system is Lutron.
Smart plugs and power tracks
These can turn off appliances directly when not in use, helping reduce power usage. I use Mainline power tracks to reposition power sockets wherever and whenever they are needed. You can
purchase more outlets and install them in a power track without having to add more outlet plates. These can also help prevent short circuits. I like that I can turn off the sockets when not needed, therefore completely powering off my appliances.
Windows
Lastly, make use of your windows and air circulation to help cool your home. Be mindful of the hottest time of the day. Have the right amount of cooling equipment, like electric fans and blowers, to help achieve a comfortable temperature in your space.
The author is the founder of Chat Fores Design Studio, an award-winning and recognized interior designer known for redefining and elevating spaces. She specializes in residential, hospitality and amenity spaces for different real estate companies. Chat has also collaborated with international design firms to create residential interiors in Manila
