Saving Energy

Why Save Energy?

A large portion of Hong Kong's electricity and gas supplies come from non-renewable fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. Burning fossil fuels produces air pollutants and greenhouse gases. By conserving energy and using it more efficiently, we will waste less, pollute less and reduce the impact on an already overstressed environment.

What You Can Do

You do not have to reduce your standard of living when reducing your energy consumption – you only have to think a little about how you can use them more wisely.

Lighting

There are simple ways to reduce energy use in lighting without having to grope in the dark.

• Switch lighting on only when you need it.
• Use daylight whenever possible.
• Use task lights to minimize the use of general lighting.
• Use lamps with high energy efficiency, such as Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps or integrated type compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Make reference to the energy label on the product, where a "Grade 1" product is the most energy efficient, "Grade 5" is the least.
• Appropriately place your lighting where you need with suitable brightness.
• Choose a decoration scheme of light colours and high reflectivity to enhance indoor light intensity.
• Use non-opaque, light-coloured lamp shades.
• Keep light fixtures and lamps clean to maximise their efficiency.

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning is another major form of energy consumption in your home. There are ways in which you can use it more wisely.

• When buying an air-conditioner, check its Energy Efficiency Ratio, with lower numbers denoting better efficiency.
• Choose energy efficient air conditioners. Air conditioners with "Grade 1" energy label are the most energy efficient.
• Adopting inverter type air conditioners can save up to 40% of annual electricity consumption compared with non-inverter type air conditioners.
• Avoid installing air-conditioners where they will be exposed to direct sunlight.
• Close off areas that do not require air-conditioning, and turn air-conditioners off in unoccupied rooms.
• Keep windows and doors shut when the air-conditioner is running.
• Place weather strips on doors and windows to prevent the leakage of cool air.
• Clean or replace the filters in all air-conditioners at the beginning of summer, and clean them every two weeks from then on.
• Set and maintain air-conditioned room temperature between 24 and 26 degree Celsius or above in summer.
• Use natural ventilation or electric fans instead of air conditioners as far as possible.
• Consider using an electric fan in conjunction with an air conditioner to spread cooled air more evenly.

Cooking

When cooking and heating water there are a few simple tips that can help you save energy.

• Use induction cookers as they are more energy efficient than electric stoves.
• Choose energy efficient induction cookers or gas cookers. Induction cookers or gas cookers with "Grade 1" energy label are the most energy efficient.
• Choose a cooker or oven of a suitable size for your family needs.
• A multi-jet cooker or oven offers you more flexibility, and can minimise wastage.
• Adjust the flame to fit the bottom of your pan.
• Cook several dishes in one session when using an oven.
• Use the simmer burner rather than the oven to reheat food.
• Use your grill to its full capacity rather than cooking one item at a time.
• Always put the lids on pans to trap heat.
• Boil water in volume to just meet the consumption needs. Store any surplus hot water into a thermal pot. Avoid using the keep-warm function of an electric pot.
• Turn your oven or ring off before you have finished cooking, and let the remaining heat gently finish the job.
• Check your oven door seal for heat leakage, and replace it if necessary.
• Keep cooking burner clean to maintain optimum efficiency in fuel combustion.

Water Heating

• Use instantaneous type water heaters as far as practicable. Otherwise, use energy efficient storage type water heaters.
• For domestic instantaneous type gas water heaters, choose energy efficient ones. Domestic instantaneous type gas water heaters with "Grade 1" energy label are the most energy efficient.
• For storage type electric water heaters, choose energy efficient ones. Storage type electric water heaters with "Grade 1" energy label are the most energy efficient.
• For storage type water heaters, choose one with an appropriate storage capacity suited to family needs.
• Taking showers instead of baths uses 50% less hot water and energy.
• A low-flow shower head also saves water and heating energy.
• Only use hot water when necessary.
• Switch the water heater off after use or install a timer switch to set its switch-off time.
• Have your water heater inspected from time to time as recommended on the unit's label to ensure its efficiency and safety.

Water Use and Energy Savings

You can also reduce energy use in other ways when using water. Just remember that energy is used to transport, store and treat all water in Hong Kong.