ABSTRACT

How can we reduce our energy consumption?

Natalie Ayoub
10“A”

SAVING
ELECTRICITY
 HOW CAN WE REDUCE OUR ENERGY
CONSUMPTION?

About Electricity
Electricity is a dynamic form of energy resulting from the
existence of charged particles (such as electrons or protons), and it is
found as a current. This form of energy is a secondary energy
source due to the use of primary energy sources to produce it.
These primary sources can be non-renewable or renewable.
Electricity is generated basically in two ways; directly and
indirectly. Generators are devices that function to turn kinetic
energy into electrical energy. They can directly generate electrical
energy by wind turbines, hydroelectric turbines, wave and tidal
turbines for instance. The second method of generating electricity is indirectly. In this
method, fossil or nuclear fuels are used. First of all, heat is released from fuel and boils the
water to make steam. Secondly, the steam turns the turbine. Thirdly, the turbine turns a
generator and electricity is produced. Fourthly, the electricity goes to the transformers to
produce the correct voltage. These transformers are made to be 99.9% efficient; to avoid
energy loss. Finally, the electricity reaches our buildings through power lines. In the building

the electricity is distributed by a circuit breaker to light sockets and outlets.

Electricity has become a necessity in our daily lives, due to it being convenient. It is
transmitted easily over distance, through electricity cables and it powers nearly all of our
appliances. We need electricity these days for nearly everything! Although, we mostly
generate this form of energy from non-renewable sources like fossil fuels. Therefore, these
sources are being drastically consumed at a much faster rate than they can be replenished,
causing these sources to eventually run out in the near future. Therefore, the only solution to
that case is conserving electricity.

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 Electricity Prices
Electricity prices reflect the costs to build, finance, maintain, and operate power
plants and the electricity grid. Not to forget that some of the cost may return to the owners
and shareholders. In Jordan for instance the government is the one to set the prices and taxes,
making them regulated. However,
electricity costs vary from season to season
in some countries. During summertime
there is the highest demand and to meet that
increased demand a more expensive
generation is added. Therefore, electricity
prices in some countries are the highest
during summer. Meanwhile in Jordan prices
stay the same throughout the years unless
the government changes them. Electricity
prices vary by locality because of the availability of power plants and fuels, local fuel costs,
and pricing regulations. They also vary by the type of consumer; industrial consumers use
more electricity than residential or commercial consumers so they can receive it at higher
voltages making it more efficient and less expensive. Since residential and commercial
consumers cannot receive a high voltage, the electricity has to pass through many
transformers to downgrade the voltage to the required amount and that can cost them more
than it would cost industrial consumers.

Table 1: Typical Jordanian household electricity bill.

This table shows the house hold appliance, its power in kilowatts (kW), the time it runs in
hours (h) per day, the energy consumption (kWh) per day, the energy consumption (kWh)
per month (30 days), and the cost of running this appliance in Fils per month. Taking into
consideration that household tariffs are on an ascending scale, whereby the first block of
watt consumption is priced at 33 fils (1-160 kWh), and the second block of watt
consumption is priced at 72 fils (161-300 kWh), etc.
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 Appliance Power Time (h) Energy Energy Cost (Fils) per
(kW) per day (kWh) per (kWh) per month (30
day month (30 days)
days)
Halogenated light bulbs 0.043 5 0.215 6.45 212.85
Standard incandescent 0.04 3 0.12 3.6 118.8
bulbs (normal light bulbs)

Fluorescent tubes 0.018 19 0.342 10.26 338.58

Compact Fluorescent lamp 0.02 5.5 0.11 3.3 108.9
(CFL)
Christmas tree lights 1.875 2 3.75 112.5 3712.5
Boiler 0.1 6 0.6 18 594
Water pumps 4 18 72 288 9504
Water filter 0.048 6.5 0.312 9.36 308.88
Washing machine 0.2 3 0.6 18 594
Fridge & freezer 0.125 24 3 90 2970
Dish washer 1.67 1.6 2.672 80.16 2645.28
Coffee machine 1.26 0.03 0.0378 1.134 37.422
Kettle 2.2 0.2 0.44 13.2 435.6
Toaster 0.85 0.02 0.017 0.51 16.83
Juicer 0.9 0.25 0.225 6.75 222.75
Iron 2.205 2 4.41 132.3 4365.9
Kitchen wall fan 0.18 0.08 0.0144 0.432 14.256
Computer tower 0.014 6.5 0.091 2.73 90.09
Computer monitor 0.03 6 0.18 5.4 178.2
DVD player 1 0.01 24 0.24 7.2 237.6
DVD player 2 0.025 24 0.6 18 594
Receiver 1 0.025 24 0.6 18 594
Receiver 2 0.015 24 0.36 10.8 356.4
TV screen 1 0.11 2.5 0.275 8.25 272.25
TV screen 2 0.1 3.25 0.325 9.75 321.75
Sound system (speakers) 0.47 2 0.94 28.2 930.6

Modem 0.006 24 0.144 4.32 142.56

Wi-Fi 0.012 24 0.288 8.64 285.12
Hairdryer 1.15 1 1.15 34.5 1138.5
Phone charger 1 0.011 2 0.022 0.66 21.78
Phone charger 2 0.005 2 0.01 0.3 9.9
Phone charger 3 0.005 2 0.01 0.3 9.9
Phone charger 4 0.011 2.25 0.02475 0.7425 24.5025
Phone charger 5 0.012 2 0.024 0.72 23.76
Laptop charger 0.065 3 0.195 5.85 193.05
Total:
31624.5105

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 This pie chart shows the house hold appliance and the cost of running
each appliance in Fils per month (30 days). Taking into consideration
Costthat household
(Fils) tariffs are each
of running on an ascending
appliance scale,for
whereby the first(30
1 month block
days)
of watt consumption is priced at 33 fils (1-160 kWh), and the second
0% 0% 0% 0%1% 1%
block of watt 0%
consumption is priced
1% 0% 1% 4%
at 72 fils 0% 1%
0% (161-300 kWh), etc.
1% 3%
1% 12%
2%
2%
1% 2%
1%
0%
0%

14%

1% 30%
0%
1%
0% 8%

9%
2%
1%

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 Saving Electricity
Electricity in Jordan is mostly generated
ENERGY &
from non-renewable natural sources (fossil fuels) JORDAN
like oil, natural gas and coal. These sources are being
Jordan is one of the countries
depleted faster than they can be regenerating. that highly depends on foreign
Therefore, conserving electricity can help reduce energy sources.
pollution, improve the economy, and improve
96% of the country's energy
national security.
needs comes from imported oil
and natural gas from
neighbouring Middle Eastern
countries.

This complete reliance on

foreign oil imports consumes a
significant amount of Jordan's
GDP.  

The generation of electric power produces more

pollution than any other single industry! During the
process of generating electricity, fuels like coal or oil
are burned or combusted. They do release energy as
well as a wide range of harmful products in the form
of fume exhaust from the power plant. These
products mainly include carbon dioxide (CO2),
sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrous oxides (NOX), volatile
organic compounds (VOC’s), and in some cases particulate matter (PM) is released. In the
combustion of these fuels, a greenhouse gas is released as a by-product which is carbon
dioxide (CO2). It contributes to the greenhouse effect. By where the infrared sun radiation is
absorbed to the earth’s lower atmosphere. The earth’s temperature depends on the balance of
heat that’s entering and exiting the atmosphere (to outer space). Carbon dioxide absorbs the
heat that’s supposed to exit the earth and traps it, causing additional heating of the planet and
an unstable temperature. This increase in temperature is called global warming. Nitrous
oxides can contribute to from acid rain by reacting with sulphur dioxide. When released into
the air, both substances rise very high in the atmosphere and react with water, oxygen and
other chemicals forming acidic pollutants which fall in the form of acidic rain. This exhaust
includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs); which are carbon containing compounds and
they are primary contributors to the formation of ground level ozone and particulate matter
(PM) which are the main ingredients of smog. There is also some evident emissions of
metallic compounds, which can be toxic.

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 This table shows the most common
fuels used, by type of power plant.

Other than causing air pollution, fossil fuel power plants can
be a threat to other habitat zones like water and land. In order to
run a power plant, an incredible amount of water is needed. Power
plants need a massive land site in order for them to operate. The
mining, collection and transporting of fuel can cause severe land-
use impacts. In addition to that, the storage of solid waste, both on
and off site, can also leave long-lasting marks.

The human population is rapidly increasing and the demand and consumption of
electricity is increasing as well. Therefore, the price of the fuel needed to produce it is
increasing and this can have both a positive and negative impact. This hike in fuel prices is of
a positive outcome for the producing countries and of a negative consequences to non-
producing, buying countries; causing economic instability and pressure, as well as political
issues. Conserving energy can save a country and its individuals large amounts of money. In
addition to that, energy efficiency projects can be carried out and help people find or create
new jobs. In a result new innovations can be discovered and sold worldwide, to help make the
world more energy efficient.

Political wise, being more energy efficient can decrease the overall demand for energy,
and therefore the need to import and transport fossil fuels. In a result, a country can be more
independent on itself rather than on foreign countries. In addition, money can be saved and
invested for defence programs for the military. The armed forces need fuel to supply their
troops, but battleground supply missions can be dangerous. Therefore, the use of electric and
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hybrid vehicles, energy-efficient generators and other energy-saving measures mean fewer
convoys, and fewer convoys mean fewer casualties from the military force.

An Energy Efficient Home

By changing some bad habits and energy consuming appliances, you can save up 10-
40% of electrical expenses. First of all, by installing photovoltaic cells you can start
generating electricity at your own house and drastically reduce your bill. Since these cells can
power many electricity consuming
appliances like the water pumps and
boiler. These cells basically turn the sun’s
light energy into electrical energy, by light
shining on a semi-conducting material
(usually silicon). When light shines on the
cell it creates an electric field across the
layers. The stronger the sunshine, the
more electricity is produced. Solar electricity is green renewable energy and doesn't release
any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home solar PV system could save
nearly two tonnes of carbon per year. In some countries like the UK and US, you can get paid
for the electricity you generate, even if you use it.

Heat especially can escape from the walls, roof, and windows. Therefore, having
proper insulated walls and roof as well as double glazed windows can prevent that from
happening by acting as a thermal resistor. Cavity wall insulation, involves placing an
insulating material into the gap between
the brick and the inside wall, which
reduces the heat loss. The material also
prevents air circulating inside the cavity,
therefore reducing heat loss by
convection. Heat loss through the roof can
be reduced by laying loft insulation;
which functions in a similar way to cavity
wall insulation. In addition to thermal
benefits, insulation can help reduce sound transmission through walls, floor and ceilings.
Heat loss through windows can be reduced using double glazing. The gap between the two
panes of glass is filled with air. Heat loss through conduction is reduced, as air is a poor
conductor of heat. As a result, there won’t be the need to turn on the heater for long hours,
saving a lot of money and electricity.

Solar water heaters can be used to heat water for a household. They basically turn
sunlight energy into heat energy. They include storage tanks and solar collectors. These
heaters work by letting water pass through the solar collectors where it is heated by the sun.
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The heated water is then stored in a tank, or used directly. Geothermal heat pump systems are
an energy efficient replacement to heaters and air conditioners, where they include a large
network of pipes through the ground. They take advantage of earth’s underground
temperature. During winter the temperature underground is warmer than in the atmosphere.
Therefore, the cold air in the house is taken down underground through pumps, heated and
sent back to the house. Meanwhile in summer time the temperature underground is cooler
than in the atmosphere. Therefore, the hot air in the house is taken down underground
through pumps, cooled and sent back to the house. These systems can reduce the cost of an
electricity bill and the need to use a boiler.

“Energy Star” labelled appliances can save up to 15% more electricity. Light bulbs
are electrical appliances that we need in our daily life. Therefore, the most energy efficient
bulbs are compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) and light emitting diode (LED). Standard
incandescent light bulbs shouldn’t be used because of the substantial amounts of carbon
dioxide that they emit and their low efficiency.

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Works cited:

1. "BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Generating Electricity." BBC News. BBC. Web. 09 Jan.
2017.
2. "BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Reducing Heat Loss." BBC News. BBC. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
3. "Energy-Efficient Lighting: LED & CFL Bulb Information, including Where to Buy."
Energy-Efficient Lighting. Eartheasy. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
4. "Environmental Issues of Electricity Production." Environmental Issues of Electricity
Production. Powerscorecard. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
5. "Factors Affecting Electricity Prices." Factors Affecting Electricity Prices. Eia. Web.
09 Jan. 2017.
6. "Fossil Fuels Used to Generate Electricity." Power Plant Emissions of North America.
Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
7. "Products of Combustion." Products of Combustion. EGEE 102: Energy Conservation
and Environmental Protection. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
8. "Top 5 Reasons to Be Energy Efficient." Alliance to Save Energy. Ase, 13 Nov. 2013.
Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
9. "Solar Panels." Energy Saving Trust. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
10. "Solar Water Heaters." Solar Water Heaters. Department of Energy. Web. 09 Jan.
2017.

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