In today's modern world, energy conservation is an integral part of the life of a civilized society. This is health care, saving money and living comfort.
But one of the most important (global) characteristics of energy conservation is the protection of the environment from negative influences.
Energy saving concept
The very term "energy saving" has been used for a long time. Today, energy saving is characterized by the conceptual apparatus.
Energy saving is based on an energy resource as an energy carrier that can be used in any activity. Energy saving is any activity aimed at reducing the use of energy resources without prejudice to the main function of their use. Despite the extreme accuracy of the definitions, there is often confusion in the concepts of "energy saving" and "energy efficiency". In this regard, a definition of the latter is given. Energy efficiency is a set of characteristics that reflects the ratio of performance from the use of energy resources to the cost of energy resources themselves. Energy saving efficiency, among other things, is characterized by an energy efficiency class, which reflects the degree of utility of a particular product in terms of energy savings. In order to determine energy efficiency, special energy tests are conducted.
Basic principles of energy saving
Now that we have defined the basic concepts in this area, it is worth reflecting the basic principles of energy saving:
- Use of alternative energy sources.
- Use of secondary energy sources.
- Application of non-energy intensive technologies and equipment.
- Taking measures for rational use of available energy resources. Assess the economic viability of using any energy-saving technology and solutions.
This list can be attributed to both the principles of energy saving regulation and the main approaches to the insulation of a private house. The main thing to keep in mind: energy saving includes not only additional ways of obtaining energy, but also activities to save available energy and its rational use.
Alternative energy sources
There is a lot of talk today about alternative energy sources. As a rule, we mean renewable energy sources. What is endlessly renewed on planet Earth? Of course, this is water, sun, wind, earth's crust. Of course, if you go into the details, then the solar activity also changes over time, and the surface of the earth's crust becomes thinner, but it's all on the scale of the Universe. We are talking about renewal within our civilization - in the coming centuries, we believe, the Sun will not fade and the Earth will not fly away from its orbit.
Therefore, the following energy sources are now considered alternatives to oil, gas, coal and wood:
- Solar energy.Solar batteries and collectors are used to use such a source. The first are solar cells that directly convert solar energy into electricity. Solar collectors do not convert energy into electricity, but heat the coolant for its subsequent use (for example, for heating water in a private house).
- Wind energy.Wind turbines that produce electricity using wind-powered blades are very popular in Europe. For example, Germany already gets a third of its electricity using this renewable energy source.
- Water energy.This is not just about hydropower. Today, there are heat pumps that convert the heat of water in a lake or pool into a stable water heater to heat the house and supply hot water.
- Earth Energy.The heat pumps described above can also use heat from groundwater or the upper crust for utilities. Such installations are very popular because they do not need a source of water or wind nearby: the coolant can be placed in special pipes under the lawn, for example, or in wells in the garden area.
Secondary energy sources
Energy recycling is one of the basic principles of energy efficiency. Improving the efficiency of the ventilation and air conditioning system used in a building is only possible by recycling the heat of the exhaust air. This process of returning the part of the heat that leaves the building (the air in the room is heated from the work equipment, the people in the room) is called recuperation. In this aspect, energy saving is the activity of conserving the energy available in the room.
The principle of operation of the recuperator is very simple - through a certain platinum, which conducts heat well, the air extracted from the room heats the cold currents coming from the street, without mixing with it. As a result, the house does not enter ice, but heated air of 2-3 degrees, which contributes to a more pleasant microclimate in the room, and also allows you to save on heating, due to the increase in room temperature due to warm flows. The recuperators are of the plate type, as described above, rotary (with a rotating element inside) and with a medium heat carrier. A large selection of recuperator manufacturers allows you to choose devices for different spaces and customers.
How to rationally use communal energy resources?
Rational use of available resources includes not only the installation and operation of energy efficient equipment, but also compliance with a certain regime. Energy saving is a way of life in which energy saving is provided at the household level. If you set a goal - to save on utility bills, you must first install equipment that will automate the supply and measurement of energy to allow you not to spend kilowatts. It should be selected based on the label confirming that this device or device provides energy savings. Increasing the energy optimization of resource use is possible only with the rational operation of all equipment. Timely switching off of lights in rooms where there are no people, careful attention to waste hot water and proper installation of automatic metering devices and consumption of heat and electricity in the house will enable significant results in saving energy and personal money.
What is a passive house?
Energy efficiency and energy saving are inextricably linked to the concept of passive housing construction. It combines a range of energy saving measures that together ensure low energy consumption. The history of passive house technology begins in the city of Darmstadt, where it was first developed by physicist Feist. The calculation of the energy balance of the house gave him the idea to create a building that even in winter should not be connected to heating - a passive house. At that time, houses in Germany consumed about 200 kWh / m2 per year. On the other hand, a passive house needs only 10 kWh / m2 per year to remain suitable and even comfortable for year-round living. The basic criterion for a passive house is the creation of a closed building envelope with increased thermal insulation and low thermal conductivity. This is achieved by using economical thermal insulation materials, excluding the so-called cold bridges (places in the building envelope through which cold penetrates the building: facades, window frames).
Evaluating the efficiency of energy saving technologies
In order to bring the level of energy consumption in the building closer to the standard of a passive house, it is necessary to use materials with high heat resistance, modern engineering equipment, renewable and secondary energy sources, in a word, energy saving measures. At the same time, energy efficiency is calculated based on the cost spent on a particular innovation in the home and the impact that such a decision will bring to the owner. It is first necessary to calculate the impact of new technology on the production and consumption of a particular type of resource. In this case, you need to evaluate:
- The degree of resource savings (the difference between the resources used by energy efficient and traditional equipment during the billing period when the same amount of energy is generated).
- The effect of energy production (difference or ratio of quantities of energy produced in a given period by compared equipment options using the same amount of resources).
These indicators will give us an idea of the need to move to the calculation of economic performance. It is calculated by comparing the costs spent on the purchase of new (and possible dismantling of old) equipment and the income from energy savings when replacing a waste machine with a more modern one (over a certain period of time). This difference will be the effect that the owner will get after a certain period of time after applying the energy efficient solution. Usually the installation of recuperators or solar panels pays off in 3-5 years.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that saving energy is not just saving money. First of all, it is a concern for tomorrow, in which our children will live.