November-December , 2020 | @ green opinion
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Consumers can reduce Green House tion of the total cost of ownership of models of different Star ratings for air-conditioners when the cost of electricity use over a few years is added to the purchase price .
Gas emissions
New normal has provided cleaner environment and better health
Lal ‘ s Chat
By G . LALCHAND
Malaysia is facing a new wave of Covid-19 infections , mainly because of lax compliance .
The latest MCO ( Movement Control Order ) extensions have restricted movement , with the result that the impact of energy use has been drastically altered . The enforced WFH ( work from home ) regime has significantly reduced motorised travel .
As a result , domestic electricity consumption would have increased significantly , especially with air-conditioning . This may have partly , or even more substantially , reduced travel costs .
One significant climate impact has been the drastic reduction in global air and water pollution even in Malaysia , as was shown in the picture below .
CHART ONE
All must laud this “ new normal ” as the new and cleaner environment will contribute to better health . Enforced home-cooking contributes to better nutrition and better health .
However , the MCO restrictions will end , and we will “ go back ”, but to a new normal that may be quite different from the pre- Covid environment . How different will that new normal be ?
Do we have to return to the environmental pollution scenario of the pre-Covid era once the MCO restrictions end ? Not necessarily . Energy consumers can emulate the impact of reduced energy use during the MCO period .
This can be done by the residential ( or domestic ) consumers as well as the industrial and commercial consumers . For residential and commercial consumers , airconditioning forms the largest component of electricity use .
Hence , the use of energy-efficient ( EE ) appliances and efficient use of energy practices can significantly reduce their energy use and thus reduce carbon emissions .
However , it must be noted that a large portion of residential consumers uses more energy for their transport needs than electricity for general household purposes . The chart in the box below shows the approximate average share of electricity use for typical urban households .
Electricity use for cooling is the largest component for residential and commercial consumers , such as air-conditioned offices , shopping malls , hospitals , hotels and resorts , and universities .
CHART TWO
As shown previously ( in the chart below ), efficient production and consumption of electricity form the largest contributors to carbon emission reductions . So , it follows that reducing cooling energy use would be the most attractive option for reducing residential ( and commercial / industrial ) electricity consumption .
CHART THREE
The Suruhanjaya Tenaga ( ST ) had established the EE Star ratings for several appliances such as air-conditioners , refrigerators , television sets and fans .
Chart four displays the form of the EE Star rating label , showing the relevant information that the label contains . Consumers can use this information to make informed choices in selecting the EE models of the appliances they wish to purchase .
Such informed choices will not only reduce their electricity use but also reduce carbon emissions and thus their carbon footprint . The Star rating labels classify the efficiency performance for the appliances .
All manufacturers of such appliances will have their labels showing the energy use performance of those appliances so that consumers can buy the most cost-effective models .
The box below shows a sample calcula-
CHART FOUR
It is clear from the above example that buying the “ cheapest ” appliance on its purchase cost is seriously erroneous when the total cost of ownership is considered . The cost of electricity used for air-conditioners is many times more than the purchase price , and even the most expensive 5-Star unit ’ s cost of ownership becomes the lowest within three years .
Subsequently , the cost savings from their reduced electricity use will continue to increase , and more so if the electricity tariffs rise as time goes by . Air-conditioners usually last for 7-10 years , or even longer if they do not get damaged due to external impacts like lightning surges .
Unfortunately , few consumers take this into account , unless they are very conscious of efficient use of energy and cost consideration or are passionate environmentalists who take the size of the “ carbon footprint seriously ”.
Similarly , it is worth considering the EE aspects of other appliances , especially where the Star ratings have been ascertained and certified according to ST ’ s initiative to assist consumers in being responsible and sustainable consumers .
In this respect , lighting is the simplest of appliances we use , as the lights , which are “ consumables ” need to be replaced regularly . Many consumers changed from using incandescent lamps to CFLs ( compact fluorescent lamps ) over the years .
However , CFLs have now been superseded by LEDs ( light-emitting diode ) lamps which are more energy-efficient than the CFLs besides not containing the hazardous mercury that fluorescent lights use .
While LEDs may cost more than CFLs , their life is much longer ( nominally more than four times as long ) than CFLs . So even the actual purchase cost of LEDs ends up being less , with the added benefit of lower electricity use cost .
Hence the use of LEDs is a “ no-brainer ”; yet many users continue to use incandescent lamps , if available , or for specific aesthetic purposes , or CFLs which are slightly cheaper than LEDs .
Similar initiatives can also be applied for other appliances that are Star-rated by ST , such as refrigerators , TVs , washing machines , etc ., for residential consumers .
With about 7.5 million domestic consumers in Peninsular Malaysia , the potential for gross energy savings , and the consequent carbon emission reductions are enormous .
Their contribution to the national commitments for carbon intensity reduction targets can be substantial . — @ green
Ir Lalchand is a strong supporter of EE , RE and Sustainable Development . He believes the 3Es ( Energy , Economy & Environment ) need also to include an " S " ( for Society ) where the needs of the energy and earnings deprived segments of society , especially in developing countries , should be given enhanced support