It is simple: the more energy we use, the more money we pay. We need to learn how to optimise the use of energy in order to gain maximum value of every rand spent. Added to this is the shortage of generation capacity that the country is facing.
Homes, commerce and industry must minimise their power consumption or face power cuts. The reality is that energy is an essential commodity and without it, almost everything grinds to a halt.
The first step to reducing electricity bills is to measure how much electricity is being used on a monthly basis. We have to educate ourselves about effective ways on the proper use of electricity and maintain monthly consumption records as this will enable us to make accurate calculations on electricity costs.
A few money saving, energy saving tips
Switch it off!: the first rule of energy saving is: ‘if it is not being used, switch it off’. Consider installing automated switch-off systems, and train staff.
Check motor sizing: almost all driven equipment installations are oversized as a result of over-generous safety margins. A simple test to check motor efficiency is to feel the temperature; if you can keep your hand on a running motor then it is most likely running below capacity and at low efficiency. Make more detailed measurements and consider swapping the motor for a smaller frame size.
Permanently connect motors in star: quite often, motors are way oversized and produce far more torque than is required. You can sometimes reduce the effective motor torque and hence power drawn by it, by connecting the motor windings in star. The saving can be almost 60% in energy consumption.
Replace motors instead of rewinding them: rewinding can reduce efficiency, even if the cost of repair is less, a new high efficiency motor will save you more on your electricity bill.
Pulley sizes: simply changing pulley size, to ensure a fan or pump runs at a more appropriate duty point, can often make significant energy savings.
Regular maintenance: maintain and clean your motor’s drives, belts, couplings and moving parts to ensure they are running at optimum efficiency. Check filters, inlet ports, fan blades and bearings regularly.
Insulate: stop heat being wasted; keep it all in! Use draft-excluding strips, insulating board and pipe insulation. Replace damaged seals as they leak heat.
HVAC and lighting: use compact fluorescent lamps instead of halogen or filament lamps, and consider LED lighting. Use occupancy detectors in offices, corridors and toilets to turn lighting off automatically when not required.
Motor controllers for fans and pumps: running a fan or pump 20% slower using a variable speed drive (instead of using dampers, vanes or valves) will give you a 50% saving in electricity use!
Keep your airlines clean: clogging pneumatic airlines reduces flow rates and makes the compressor run for unnecessarily long periods. Use filters to keep the lines clean, and select energy-efficient filters that have reduced effects on flow rates.
For more information contact RS Components, +27 (0) 11 691 9300, 086 000 7772 (subsidised), or see www.rssouthafrica.com
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