Slash your Electric Bill and Help the Environment

Two-thirds of Japan’s electricity comes from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) and Japan is the world’s 3rd biggest producer of electricity, with each household in the country on average consuming over 300 kWh per month. Following the March 11 earthquake and subsequent fears over nuclear safety, Japan’s reliance on gas and oil-fired power stations has increased, so saving electricity doesn’t just save money it also saves the environment.

How much money can you save on your electricity bill? Did you know that the average household in Japan can save up to 7% on their annual electricity bill by simply unplugging electrical appliances when not in use. Computer modems and appliances that use remote controls like TV’s, air conditioners, and audio systems are the biggest “offline” guzzlers. Each kWh you save, lowers your carbon footprint by 470g of CO₂.

A kilowatt-hour is the amount of energy equivalent to a steady power of 1 kilowatt running for 1 hour. For example, when a light bulb with a power rating of 100W is turned on for ten hours, the energy used is 1000 watt-hours or 1kWh.

How many of the below measures do you do? Do them all and shave up to nearly 1000 kWh a year from your annual usage!

Data Source: The Energy Conservation Center Japan
Illustrations: City of Nagoya Environmental Office

★Air Conditioner (2.2kW unit for 6 tatami mat room)

Adjust the temperature setting 1°C higher during cooling – could save you up to 30 kWh per year.
Adjust the temperature setting 1°C lower during heating – could save you up to 53 kWh per year.
Use for 1 hour less per day during summer – could save you up to 19 kWh per year.
Use for 1 hour less per day during winter – could save you up to 41 kWh per year.
Clean the filter twice a month – could save you up to 32 kWh per year.
Closing curtains or blinds can also increase an air conditioner’s efficiency by 20 to 30%.

★Refrigerator (400 litre type)

Avoid over-packing and keep half-full　- could save you up to 44 kWh per year.
Change the cooling setting from high (強) to middle (中) 　- could save you up to 62 kWh per year.
Open the fridge & freezer for 10 seconds at a time instead of 20could save you up to 6 kWh per year.

★Desktop & Laptop Computers

Instead of using a screen saver switch off your computer when not in use:
- Using a desktop computer for one hour less a day – saves you 32 kWh per year.
- Using a laptop computer for one hour less a day – saves you 5 kWh per year.
- Using “stand by” mode instead of screen saver when not in use saves 70 – 90% electricity.
Turn off modem when not using PC:
- turn off a wireless modem – could save you up to 114 kWh per year.
- turn off a regular modem- could save you up to 76 kWh per year.

★Lighting (4 standard 54W bulbs running for 6 hours a day)

Change from a 54W bulb to a 12W florescent bulb – saves you 84 kWh per year.
Switch off lights in empty rooms:
- Using a 12W florescent bulb for one hour less a day – saves you 4 kWh per year.
- Using a 54W bulb for one hour less a day – saves you 20 kWh per year.

★Heated Toilet Seat (Autumn to Spring)

Close toilet lid when not in use - saves you 35 kWh per year.
Turn seat temperature setting from middle (中) to low (弱)- saves you 26 kWh per year.

★Washing Machine (6kg washer unit)