Wasting energy is becoming more and more expensive, but when our lives revolve around it, it is difficult to distinguish between what is necessary and excesses and give up the latter
Since January 2022, we have seen an upward trend in the price of electricity, which has reached an all-time high of €544.98/MWh, according to data from EPdata. Such an increase in costs has made us think whether we can drastically reduce consumption without sacrificing our comfort.
The answer is that it will be difficult because all our activities are linked to electricity: light, household appliances, internet, mobile phones, heating, air conditioning, etc. And so it is difficult to draw the line that separates the necessary costs from waste.
On an individual level, the problem lies more in what our contract with the electric company allows us to do. In Spain, there is the so-called term of power or contracted power, which is the price that the consumer pays for the amount of kilowatts that he can have available to power the equipment that he intends to connect in his home at the same time. House.
The most common contracts include a limit of 3.3, 4.5 or 5.5 kW, but up to 10 kW can be configured by the customer. This concept is key because it is the one that affects the degree of comfort that allows us not to worry and connect many devices at the same time. And there we could waste.
Depending on each company, the power duration has an economic impact on the electricity bill through fixed daily costs that vary between 0.1166 and 0.1328 €/kW per day, which would mean a cost in a billing month (e.g. in the case of 5.5 kW) from €22.64. To this we have to add the toll costs, which in the example would be around € 14 (they also depend on the fixed term). And finally, we should apply VAT.
All this assumes a cost of almost € 40 just for the possibility of connecting the electrical appliances until the power level of 5.5 kW is reached.
The minimum and maximum powers (depending on their efficiency) of the most common electrical appliances in a home are as follows:
-Refrigerator: 250 – 350 W
-Washing machine: 1,500 – 2,500 W
-Dishwasher: 1,500 – 2,500 W
-Television: 200 – 400 W
-Heating: 1,000 – 3,000 W
-Air conditioning: 1,000 – 2,500 W
– Microwave: 100 – 1 500 W
-Ceramic hob: 1,000 – 2,000 W
– Oven: 1,000 – 2,500 W
-Vacuum: 1,000 – 1,500 W
-Iron: 1,000 – 1,200 W
As can be deduced, a contracted power of 3.3 kW is incompatible with having an air conditioner, as this is only achieved by using the refrigerator (350 W), the vacuum cleaner (1500 W) and the microwave (1500 W) . If we also wanted to use the air conditioning (2,000 W), we would almost break the 5.5 kW limit.
For this reason, the electricity companies recommend contracted powers above 7 kW and up to 9 kW for these cases, leading to a monthly cost of 51 and 65 euros respectively for the contracted power alone. To this we need to add the energy consumption (kWh) based on the use of these devices, which represents the actual costs for how and how much they are used.
Can we therefore save energy if we have a very tightly contracted capacity in our house? Well, it certainly is, because it forces us to be in control of all home appliance management and to know what can be connected at the same time and what can’t. The point is not to quantify the savings, but to generate an attitude of concern and control: the user must combine the powers of the devices so as not to exceed the limit that a temporary power cut would cause in the home.
For many, this will seem like a step back in comfort level, especially if they can afford it. However, for many families it is vital, given the high price that the kWh is currently reaching. The ability to waste electricity is by no means a cheap option.
In the neighborhood communities, the light of the portals and stairs is collectively paid for, as well as the elevators, gates and lighting of the garages. Swimming pools, irrigation and garden lighting also represent significant consumption for those who enjoy them. It is common to hear complaints about watering gardens, claiming that water is being wasted, but few realize that the water gets there thanks to the electrical energy that powers the pump circuits.
Elevators consume a lot and are used intensively. Energy-saving measures can be implemented, such as optimized electronic management in buildings where there are several or the implementation of regenerative braking systems that enable energy recovery.
However, few neighborhood communities implement such measures. In addition, during the pandemic caused by Covid-19, the elevator was used by one person, increasing the number of rides and therefore energy consumption.
Changes in the community sphere always involve consensus building and that is difficult to achieve. Even if we see the costs and what they represent on the invoices, since they are a shared expense, they can be better borne.
At the level of the local authorities, of the town halls, the most important and difficult thing is to distinguish between what is considered waste and what is an unavoidable necessity, as it is subjective. An example is the Christmas lights in cities, although it seems that some will reduce lighting hours this year.
Is the display of lights normally required by the Municipality of Vigo? Well, from a completely objective point of view it seems not, but La Tomatina de Buñol (Valencian Community) and its 130,000 kg of tomatoes or La Fiesta da Agua in Vilagarcia de Arousa (Pontevedra) in which 8 are thrown 000 cubic meters certainly not meters of water for pure pleasure. Everyone has their reasons for doing this and has a favorable impact on the city.
In any case, despite the fact that pleasure and comfort invite you to expend more energy, wasting it becomes more and more expensive. High electricity prices increase users’ concern to consume more responsibly, both individually and collectively, benefiting both their wallets and the planet.
This article was published in ‘The conversation‘.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
