～Saving Electricity: Request for Your Cooperation ～
The power supply has been adversely affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy is requesting the assistance of households to reduce the total electricity usage by 15% during the peak period (9am-8pm, weekdays) during the summer months (July-September). Please read through this practical guide and make changes wherever you can to support the efforts to save energy.
When Should I Save Electricity?
During the summer months (July-September), demand for air conditioning (and the electricity required to power it) rises. 2pm represents the peak period for energy demand, including ordinary households.
We are asking householders to be mindful of the need to save energy throughout the day, and to focus particularly on the peak period of 9am through 8pm.
【Average electricity demand for a summer day (day of record demand)】
At 2pm on an average summer day, the average household consumes 1200W of electricity. Air conditioners account for around half of this total.
Even in those households where nobody is at home during the day, standby electricity consumption from refrigerators, Toilet seat with warm water spraying functions, and other appliances still results in an average electricity consumption of around 340W.
Electricity Consumption by Main Household Electrical Appliances
【Electricity consumption on a summer day (2pm, average for all households)】
*Rated electricity consumption levels are examples only. Actual electricity consumption will depend on product model and usage conditions.
【Rated Electricity Consumption Levels for Main Household Electrical Appliances】
Source: Agency for Natural Resources and Energy statistics
Numerical values for day representing record (highest recorded) demand
Your household is likely to contain multiple appliances using more than 1,000W of electricity. Please try to avoid using electrical appliances that consume large amounts of electricity during the peak period of 9am through 8pm on weekdays.
Toilet seat with warm water spraying function, kettles, dishwasher dryers, oven toasters, vacuum cleaners, dryers, washing machines and tumble dryers, bathroom dryers, rice coockers, microwaves, irons, IH cooking heaters, etc.
Always remember to set the room temperature to 28℃.
Electricity Saving Menu to be Tackled at Your Home
Electricity Saving Effect
Change the temperature setting of your refrigerator from “High” to “Medium” and shorten
the time the refrigerator door is opened. Do not place excess food inside the refrigerator.
Turn the lights off during the day and reduce lighting overnight to a minimum.
Unplug from the socket if these functions are not provided.
Set it to the energy-saving mode. Reduce the brightness of the screen and
turn the TV off when not in use.
Use the OFF functions for toilet seat warming and for warm water supply and power saving function by a timer in case these functions are provided.
Less than 1%
Let us save electricity so that total reduction rates exceed 15%.
Turn off electrical appliances at the plug rather than leaving them on standby (remote control off switch only). Pull the plug of electrical appliances not in use for long periods.
By taking either action
*Values listed above as effects of electricity saving are a guide for reduction rates and power consumption reduced based on average daily power consumption of an occupied household (14 hours, about 1200W) as estimated by the
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. Fractions below the decimal point in the reduction rates are ignored.
Turn the air-conditioner off and use an electric fan if at all possible.
Use rattan blinds, reed screens and other shields to mitigate the sunlight through windows. (Electricity consumption by air-conditioners can be saved)
Cook rice for one whole day using the timer function early in the morning and keep it in the refrigerator.
Let us take actions on ④, ⑦, ⑧ and/or ⑩ also when we are not at home.
Electricity Consumption Reduced
Let us check measures to be tackled at home and list “Electricity Saving Measures for My Home.”
！ Let us save electricity within reason, by avoiding heat stroke caused by excessively limiting the use of air-conditioners.
* When the set temperature is raised 2℃.
* Please note that dehumidification and frequently turning the air-conditioner on and off tend to increase power consumption.
* When the standard mode is switched to energy-saving mode and monitor operating hours are reduced to two thirds.
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Toilet seat with warm water spraying function
Heat water on the hob, pull the plug from the kettle
○Find Out About the Electricity Consumption Levels of Your Electrical Appliances
Take the time to find out about the electrical appliances that you use in your home. Read instruction manuals or take a look at the appliances themselves, you should be able to find annual electricity consumption levels and rated consumption levels indicated on main units.
Take a moment to work out the approximate electricity consumed by the electrical appliances in your own home during summer.
○Upgrade to Low Energy Models
Another way you can contribute to the electricity saving efforts is to replace older appliances with the latest low-energy and energy-saving models. The ‘Uniform Energy-Saving Label’ is a label providing information on electricity saving effects which you can refer to when looking to buy new appliances. (You should be aware that purchasing models that are larger than your current appliances may result in increased electricity consumption levels).
○Swap Incandescent Light Bulbs for Self-Ballasted Fluorescent Lamps and LED Bulbs
A single incandescent light bulb (equivalent to 60W: 54W) can consumer as much electricity as a latest 32V LCD television model.
Swapping incandescent light bulbs for self-ballasted fluorescent lamps (12W) can immediately save around 42W, swapping them for LED lamps (8W) can immediately save around 46W.