Energy Conservation Systems

There is a list of factors to consider before purchasing a home, and as of late, energy conservation is one of them. It is the need of the hour, and one major area of discussion is energy conservation systems, which allow you to reduce your carbon footprint and your electricity bills at the same time.

Here are five energy conservation mechanisms to reduce energy consumption in residences!

 

Explore Renewable Energy Sources
Our primary school science lessons have served to familiarize most of us with the concept of renewable energy. However, it’s time to take these practices out of the classroom and bring them into our residences. The government of India has set out to achieve a 37% share of renewable energy by 2022, with a plan that primarily includes integration of renewable energy sources into smart cities. Rooftop solar plants are a space-efficient way to incorporate renewable energy into homes and can generate sufficient power for basic electronic appliances. Additionally, solar water heaters also provide an energy-efficient alternative to regular water heaters. From wind turbines to hydro power - a wide range of renewable energy sources are available and can be implemented according to the feasibility of the area.

 

Sustainable Planning
If left unchecked, infrastructural development can quickly drive to energy depletion and exhaust non-renewable energy sources. Sustainable planning involves designing buildings for optimal energy conservation and developing designs that minimise energy consumption. For instance, the path of sunlight should be analysed and optimised to minimise the need for external lighting in homes. Sustainable planning involves an integrated approach that takes into account all the steps in the life cycle of a building – such as the design and construction stages and optimises them for the least energy wastage. From maximising passive cooling to using eco-friendly construction materials, making smart choices in the development of properties can greatly contribute to energy efficiency.

 

Invest in Smart Homes
Apart from the obvious benefits of added comfort and security, smart homes also offer several energy-saving features. Smart homes are built on the concept of adapting to an individual’s habits and routines, and this includes energy consumption practices. For instance, lights that automatically switch off when you leave the room eliminate the possibility of forgetting to turn off the lights. Additionally, smart thermostats can be programmed to automatically turn off the heating or cooling when you are asleep, thereby saving energy. A wide range of smart home appliances can adjust to your individual energy habits and help you optimise your day-to-day activities to be a more responsible consumer.

 

Be a Conscious Consumer
Energy consumption does not necessarily involve expensive appliances or big changes. It can start with small, everyday changes, such as making sure that you turn off all appliances before leaving a room. Replacing traditional light bulbs with LED bulbs can help reduce your energy consumption by 20 to 80 percent, and also last up to 25 times longer. Leaving your mobile phone plugged in overnight is another common habit that can result in greater electricity consumption than needed. Limiting the use of washing machines and dishwashers are some other ways in which you can be a more responsible consumer.

Non-renewable energy sources are depleting at an exponential rate, and conscious energy conservation at both production and consumption levels are absolutely vital to curb the damage. At Brigade, energy consumption systems are implemented in all our projects to enable residents to be conscious consumers. Common sustainability systems followed across Brigade projects include use of LED lighting systems, cross ventilation for optimisation of air conditioning systems, maximising daylight through the use of performance glass for the facades of buildings and installation of solar cells and solar water heater wherever possible. The need of the hour is to be a responsible consumer and ensure that you are playing a part in the solution, rather than the problem. Here’s to building a more sustainable future, together!