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Maintaining Your Property

	Utilities Savings Tips

Utilities Savings Tips

Saving on the use of energy helps to preserve the environment by reducing the burning of fossil fuels. With the rising cost of energy, decreasing the consumption of electricity helps cut down on utility bills. Click here for some energy saving tips when using various types of household appliances.

Everyone is aware of the need to save water, an important and limited resource. It is therefore necessary to put water saving habits into practice and make them part of our daily lives. Click here for a list of useful water saving tips and also learn how to detect and prevent water leakage.

Energy Saving Tips

-	Air Conditioning Unit
	1.	Ensure that the air-conditioning unit is properly sized for your home. Operating a unit which is either too large or too small is highly inefficient. It is more energy efficient to install a split unit if you are cooling more than one room.
	2.	Clean the air filter regularly and have your air conditioner inspected annually. An annual inspection of your cooling system may extend the life of your equipment and help you to save money by lowering your energy bills. Poorly maintained air conditioners can waste a tremendous amount of energy.
	3.	Set the thermostat at an ideal temperature of 25 degrees celsius.
	4.	Close windows and doors when your air-conditioner is in use.
	5.	Keep your house cool by using awnings, blinds and solar reflecting film on the windows.

-	Electric & Microwave Ovens
	1.	Do not open the oven door while the food is cooking as the temperature may drop by 25 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius each time the door is opened.
	2.	Cook multiple dishes at the same time. Cooking 2 dishes in the oven requires less time and also less energy as compared to cooking each dish in the oven one after another.
	3.	Avoid placing aluminium foil next to the cookware as it would reflect the heat away from the dish. The dish would then require a longer time and more energy to cook.
	4.	Avoid thawing frozen food in ovens as this can be easily done at room temperature although it takes a longer time.

-	Lighting
	1.	Remember to turn the lights out when you leave a room.
	2.	Try using fewer light bulbs.
	3.	Use lower-wattage incandescent bulbs.
	4.	Light timers can help save energy and are also useful in protecting your home when you are away.
	5.	Clean lights shine brighter. It is therefore worthwhile to dust your lights - but be sure to turn off the fixture first.
	6.	Use Compact Florescent light bulbs.
	7.	Use Energy Saving bulbs.
	8.	Refrain from using general room lighting for specific purposes, instead use reading lamps or lights over a kitchen counter.
	9.	Regular light bulbs can be made more efficient by controlling them with dimmer switches, which are relatively inexpensive.
	10.	Use Halogen bulbs for track lighting and outdoor security.

-	Refrigerator
	1.	Refrigerators have an expected useful life of 17 years. It is therefore important to purchase a refrigerator that meets your needs, but does not exceed them.
	2.	Measure the space where you want to put your refrigerator. Most manufacturers recommend 25 mm (1 inch) of space on each side for airflow.
	3.	Choose a model with an energy saver switch, allowing you to determine the setting that provides maximum energy savings without causing any condensation.
	4.	Consider a model with wheels as it will be easier to pull it out and clean the coils.
	5.	Do not place your refrigerator near heat sources such as sunlight, the stove or the oven.
	6.	Adjust the thermostat to the recommended settings.
	7.	Allow hot food to cool before placing it in the refrigerator and cover all food and liquids.
	8.	Refrigerators operate most efficiently with good air circulation. It is therefore good practice not to overload it.
	9.	Do not open the door unnecessarily as the cool air will escape.
	10.	Clean the coils at the back of your refrigerator every six months. Be sure to unplug the unit first for safety.
	11.	Test the door seal occasionally by closing the door on a thin piece of paper. If it does not stay in place, the seal should be replaced.

-	Television
	1.	When watching television programmes, keep the room's light low. This helps to save electricity and also reduces annoying glare from your television screen.
	2.	Switch off the television set when not in use.

-	Vacuum Cleaner
	1.	Switch off the vacuum cleaner when the motor becomes too hot, or when there is a change in the sound of the motor. There might be something trapped in the hose.
	2.	Empty or replace the dust bag frequently.

-	Washing Machine
	1.	Refrain from using hot water to wash clothes.
	2.	Wash a full load of laundry at a time. Alternatively, you could set the water level to match the amount of laundry.
	3.	Use the correct amount of detergent.

-	Water Heater
	1.	Use an instantaneous water heater instead of one with a storage tank.
	2.	A storage water heater with a capacity of 23-27 litres should be sufficient for a family of 4-6.
	3.	Switch on the storage water heater for 20 minutes before taking the bath.

Water Saving Tips

-	In the Bathroom / Toilet
	1.	Turn the shower off while soaping.
	2.	Take quick showers.
	3.	Use a tumbler while brushing your teeth.
	4.	Use a tumbler while shaving.
	5.	Use a half flush for flushing of liquid waste.
	6.	Install a low capacity flushing cistern which uses only 3.5 litres to 4.5 litres per flush.
	7.	Do not allow toilet cisterns to overflow.
	8.	Do not use the toilet's water closet suite as a trash basket.

-	Laundry
	1.	Wash clothes in a wash-tub instead of under a running tap.
	2.	Wash your clothes every other day if you do not have a full load.
	3.	If you are using a washing machine, wash your clothes with full load only.
	4.	Reuse the rinse water from your washing machine to mop floors.
	5.	Reuse the rinse water from your washing machine to flush toilets.

-	Other Areas
	1.	Wash your floors using a mop and bucket instead of a hose.
	2.	Wash your car using a pail instead of a running hose.
	3.	Turn off taps when not in use.
	4.	Turn off taps tightly to stop drips.
	5.	Check your pipes and water fittings regularly for leaks.
	6.	Water your plants with a watering can instead of a running hose.
	7.	Replace worn-out washers in dripping taps.
	8.	Read your water meter regularly to monitor your water consumption.
	9.	Install constant flow regulators at your taps and fittings.
	10.	Repair leaks immediately.

-	Detection of Water Leaks
	Your water meter is the best detective of water leakage. If it continues to register after all taps and fittings are shut, you may have a leak. There may be a water leak if:
	1.	The meter continues to run when all taps and fittings are turned off.
	2.	Water consumption is unusually high.
	3.	The ground over buried pipes is damp.
	4.	There is an unexplained flow of clear water.
	5.	Water is rust coloured.
	6.	The water pressure drops.
	7.	Steam is seen rising from pipes.
	* There may be overflowing or leaking from cooling towers but they are seldom noticed because overflow pipes are sometimes connected directly to sewers, concealing discharge.

-	Learn to detect leak by:
	1.	Use an instantaneous water heater instead of one with a storage tank.
	2.	Your water meter is the best detective of water leakage. If it continues to register after all taps and fittings are shut, you may have a leak.
	3.	The meter registers consumption in cubic metres. Subtract the reading on your last bill from the current reading to find out how much water has been used.
	4.	Read the first five numbers from left to right (four black and one red). Use corrosion-resistant materials.
	5.	Replace underlined galvanised iron pipes with copper, stainless steel, high density polyethylene, unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) or epoxy-coated galvanised iron pipes.
	6.	Replace mild steel water tanks with stainless steel, concrete or fibreglass reinforced polyester/glass reinforced polyester tanks.

Gas

-	Safety Hints
	1.	Install gas appliances in well-ventilated area and maintain adequate ventilation.
	2.	Do not place inflammable items near gas appliances.
	3.	When cooking, do not leave the cooker unattended.
	4.	Ensure there is no smell of gas before lighting the oven.
	5.	Leave the oven door slightly open when using the oven grill.
	6.	In case of gas leaks, Turn off the gas valves. Do not switch on/off any switches. Do not try to detect gas leak with a flame. Open all windows and doors.
	7.	For LPG cylinder, here are some pointers: Keep the gas cylinder in an upright position. Never store your cylinder horizontally. Maintain a distance of 1 to 2 metres between the gas cylinder and any open flame or source of the heat, eg electrical appliances and power points. While changing your cylinder, ensure that there is no naked flame around. Check all connections regularly for leakage. Soap or detergent solution is best for detecting gas, as bubbles can be seen forming and growing in size at the point of leakage. Never try to locate a leakage with a naked flame.

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