Lights are being turned off at the Colosseum, the Tower of Pisa and Verona Arena, while people are eating by candlelight in restaurants and talking about energy efficiency and environmental protection in schools.
On 6th March, the sixteenth Italian National Day of Saving Energy and Sustainable Lifestyles marks the comeback of “M’illumino di meno”, an energy-saving awareness campaign launched in 2005 by the Caterpillar radio show on RAI Radio2.
It’s a great chance to think about adopting new habits that could have a huge impact on the environment, as well as on your electricity bill. For example, have you ever wondered how much energy your electrical appliances waste at home? Here are a few tips to reduce your energy consumption.
Unplug small electrical appliances. The indicator light on your microwave, TV and other small electrical appliances usually stays on even when they’re not in use. To avoid wasting energy, remember to unplug them from the socket.
Place your fridge away from heat sources. The location of kitchen electrical appliances is no trivial matter. It’s best to place your fridge and freezer away from heat sources to stop them from overheating and consuming more energy.
Turn the thermostat to the lowest setting. When you’re away from home for a few days, remember to turn your fridge thermostat to the lowest setting: the temperature will stay the same while consuming the least amount of electricity.
Avoid frequently opening the oven door. Continuously opening the oven door while it’s on lets all the heat escape. Get used to using a timer to monitor your food cooking time.
Use the oven grill as little as possible. Cooking with the grill uses the most electricity. Try to cook in a conventional or fan oven.
Choose the right size freezer. Did you know that an empty freezer uses more electricity than a full one? Choose one that's the right size for your family needs.
Regularly clean your fridge coils. The dust which builds up on the coils at the back of your fridge and freezer absorbs heat and increases energy consumption, so try to keep them as clean as possible.
