20% of air-cons, 9% of fridges don’t meet energy standards: NEA [News]

By Ng Lian Cheong / Alvina Soh, Channel NewsAsia, 31 Aug 2011.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has found that about one-fifth of air-conditioner models in Singapore do not meet the minimum energy efficiency standards, as of late August 2011.

It added that nine per cent of refrigerator models are not up to the mark as well.

NEA said there are about 60 registered suppliers in the market for these appliances.

Under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA), registrable goods in Singapore must be registered with NEA, affixed with Energy Labels and meet the prescribed minimum energy efficiency standards before they can be supplied in Singapore. Read more

Energy Challenge Fair 2009

The Energy Challenge Fair 2009 organised by NEA, took place over the weekend at the Marina Square Central Atrium, which showcase the latest energy efficient appliances and technology, tips on saving energy, and the various government initiatives on energy efficiency.

Here’s some photos taken at the fair (more photos at our Facebook page):

Exhibits and companies at the fair

Energy SAVE programme by HDB

Smart meters under the Electricity Vending System by EMA

Energy efficient household appliances

Energy meters by Efergy

Eneloop solar light by Sanyo

Energy efficient bamboo ceiling fan by Haiku

Conduct an Energy Survey to Identify Energy Saving Opportunities

An energy survey is a simple assessment of the energy use in your organisation and the aim is to identify and correct bad energy habits and practices. Start by forming a small team to conduct the energy survey, appointing an energy manager as the team leader and recruiting staff from different departments as team members.

The team will conduct the energy survey by taking a walk around the offices, building and facilities to observe what is happening on the ground, identify bad and wasteful energy use and habits, and identify opportunities for energy saving.

The survey should be conducted at different timings so as to find out the different energy usage throughout the day and at different periods. Surveys can be carried out:

• At a normal weekday during office hours
• At busy and peak hours
• At lunchtime
• After office hours
• During weekends

Use past and current utility bills, meter data, maintenance records and other energy information to help keep track of the energy usage in your organisation.

Here are some areas to take note of during the energy survey:

Office Equipment

• Are office equipment left on standby after office hours and during weekends? Can we switch them off easily?
• Does the computers, printers, photocopiers and other equipment have built-in energy saving features? Are we using these features and do we know how to use them?
• Can we use software to switch equipment off after office hours?
• Are vending machines and water coolers left on at night? Can we use timers to switch them off after office hours?

Lighting

• Are lights switched off in unoccupied areas or if there is sufficient daylight? Can we reduce unnecessary lighting?
• Can we use motion sensors for the stairs and carpark?
• Are lights switched off when no one is in the room or office? Who is responsible to switch off the lights after office hours?
• Are external and facade lighting switched off during the day? Can we adjust the timers to switch off the lighting earlier?
• Are light fittings arranged strategically and light switches labelled properly?
• Are we still using inefficient lighting? Can we change to energy efficient light bulbs and tubes?

Air-Conditioning and Ventilation

• Is the office too warm or cold? Can we adjust the air-conditioning temperature up to about 25 degree Celsius or at a comfortable high temperature?
• When is the air conditioning switched off and on during the day?
• Are the windows and doors open when the air-conditioning is on?
• Are the air-conditioning and ventilation system maintained and serviced regularly? Are the settings optimised and correct?
• Are there obstructions at air inlets and outlets?

Industrial Equipment

• Do boilers, pumps, fans and other equipment have the correct and optimised settings?
• Are the equipment serviced and maintained regularly?
• Are the equipment misused by operators who are not trained properly?
• Are there any compressed air, refrigerant or steam leaks?
• Are there opportunities to tap waste heat from equipment and exhaust gases?

After the energy survey, look at the findings and decide what actions to take. Implement the no-cost or low-cost actions first, such as educating employees, changing habits and practices, proper maintenance of equipment, changing energy settings and removing unnecessary lighting.

Next, consider the higher-cost actions such as installing new energy efficient lighting and equipment, and using energy saving technologies.

Remember to keep the management and employees informed of the energy survey findings, actions taken and energy savings.

Image credit: dlnny; olimohd; lockstockb.

Choose Energy Efficient Appliances and Lighting

Energy efficient appliances and lighting can help you to save energy and money. One household study by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) shows 35% monthly energy savings when energy efficient air-conditioner, refrigerator and lighting was used.

Energy Label

If you’re planning to buy a new air-conditioner, refrigerator or clothes dryer, remember to choose an energy efficient appliance with the Energy Label. The Energy Label is issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and it is mandatory for registered suppliers of air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers to affix the Energy Label on the units that they supply in Singapore.

The Energy Label shows the energy efficiency rating and the energy consumption of the appliance. The energy efficiency rating is expressed in green ticks:

• 1 tick – Fair
• 2 ticks – Good
• 3 ticks – Very Good
• 4 ticks – Excellent

The appliance with more ticks is more energy efficient. You can compare the green ticks for different brands and types of appliances from this database of registered goods. Remember to look out for the Energy Label when you’re buying a new appliance at the retail store.

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Lighting

If you’re buying lightbulbs, choose energy efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). CFLs last up to 10 times longer and use up to 80% less energy than incandescent lightbulbs. You should also choose the lowest wattage lightbulb needed for your specific lighting purpose.

Besides CFLs, you can choose LED lighting that are more efficient and last longer than CFLs.

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ENERGY STAR

For other appliances that are not under the Energy Label scheme (such as computers, dishwashers, ceiling fans, televisions and lighting), you can check whether they are ENERGY STAR qualified. The ENERGY STAR is a US labeling program to identify and promote energy efficient products. Find a suitable model from this wide range of ENERGY STAR appliances.

Image credit: Energy Label via E2 Singapore

Find Ways to Reduce Unnecessary Energy Usage

Look around your house and find ways to reduce unnecessary energy usage. Here are some tips:

1. Switch off your electronic appliances such as the television and DVD player at the power socket, and don’t leave them on standby mode. The standby mode still consumes energy (also known as vampire energy) and can add to your electricity bill.

Here’s a video on vampire energy:

2. Unplug your charger after charging your mobile phone as the charger left in the power socket still consumes energy.

3. Remember to switch off all the lights and appliances when leaving the house or when they are not in use. Do a quick check before leaving the house. You can connect different appliances to a power strip so that you only need to turn off one switch.

4. If you’re buying a new computer, choose a laptop instead of a desktop as laptops use less energy. Also remember to use the power management mode on your computer to save energy. Here’s a guide to enable the energy saving features on your computer.

5. Reduce the brightness of your computer and television to cut energy consumption. The factory default setting may be brighter than necessary.

6. Remove unnecessary outdoor lighting such as spotlights. If you need them on at night, put them on a timer or use motion sensors.

7. Avoid using the clothes dryer when the weather is sunny, instead hang your clothes out to dry naturally.