SBH02_38-47 3/19/09 12:10 PM Page 43
Saving Energy in the Home
Dr Lee Juby, CEO of VPhase
plc, looks at the way energy
saving in the home is likely
to develop over the next
few years
t is estimated that the energy used in
I
lighting, heating and living in our homes
accounts for around 27% of the total UK
carbon emissions. Energy saving in the
home has therefore been high on the
Government’s agenda, as it seeks to meet the
commitments made to reduce CO2 emissions.
The rising cost of energy has, to some extent,
helped stimulate this initiative with ever
reducing payback periods, particularly for the
installation of more effective insulation and the
growing use of low energy products, such as
electrical appliances and light bulbs.
However, these measures with low payback
periods can only take us so far. Now there are a
number of other options available, such as
various sources of renewable energy
micro-generation including heat pumps, solar
and wind. Unfortunately, the technology for use on an individual basis, but innovative new course directly translates into an electricity cost
many of these products is still in the early stages ideas to work on a large number of devices at saving and a reduction in carbon emissions at
of development and, as such, these measures the same time are those that will succeed in the the point of generation.
tend to have a longer financial payback period short term. One such new technology that is Of course not all appliances will benefit from
and therefore do not hold the same being developed from large scale applications voltage reduction. Electric cooking and heating is
attractiveness for many householders. However, to be cost effective on a domestic level is smart thermostatically controlled and will use the same
as energy costs rise and technology brings voltage management. The principle of energy whatever the incoming voltage, as long as
product costs down they will ultimately reach a decreasing incoming voltage levels to reduce it is within statutory limits. However, many houses
volume market status. In many cases it is a the energy used by electrical appliances, whilst use alternative energy sources, such as gas for
matter of utilising proven and trusted technology still retaining performance levels, is well cooking and heating, and even where electricity is
from an industrial and/or large scale application established. Many multi-site businesses, used it only represents a small proportion of the
and translating it into a cost effective format for including major supermarkets, already control total house load.
the small scale domestic market. the incoming voltage at each site to optimise Introducing smart voltage management in the
There are also new technologies emerging that may performance, accruing significant savings on home has been too costly in the past, but
bridge that gap between volume energy saving energy costs as a result. products are now being developed to make it
products and those products yet to reach that stage in All incoming voltages vary throughout Europe cost effective to do so. Such technology is likely
their product lifecycle. These are likely to be and the allowable supply range is quite wide at to become one of the latest domestic energy
incremental measures that deliver further savings and 230V +/- 10%. Appliance manufacturers need saving methods as the Government seeks more
still give a rapid return. A good example is the effective to make sure that their devices will operate ways to help meet its emissions targets.
usage of waste energy from central heating systems satisfactorily within that range. Historically, the Such measures will not be used in isolation.
together with the development of cost effective distribution network in the UK has been based Smart voltage management is likely to find a
products to turn some of that heat into electricity. at around 240V and, for the network to work place alongside existing methods, such as
Combined heat and power (CHP) systems built into efficiently, many properties have an incoming insulation and draught proofing, and will work
the central heating boiler are likely to deliver quicker voltage higher than that. For most domestic hand in hand with the new cost effective energy
financial returns than other forms of electricity appliances, this extra voltage is not necessary micro-generation technologies that will soon be
generation currently available. and they will consume less power at reduced available. More technologies will also follow as
Of course work is under way to further levels. Depending on the appliance, a 10% we strive to reduce our household reliance on
increase the energy efficiency of many of the reduction in voltage can deliver energy savings external energy sources to the absolute minimum.
energy consuming products and appliances we of anything between 5% and 20%. This of 233
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