Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

Executive Summary
Electricity has a vital role to play in addressing our daily resource needs and creating a vibrant future for our society. At the household or a place anywhere that electricity is used, the prices are raising due to increasing fossil fuel prices, squeezing budgets especially for the poorest families. This report is done to investigate, the Siyambalagahawatta area, in the terms of Saving Electricity and how they save it. To collect data, a questionnaire was form using hypothesis and the research question How can people in Sri lanka save electricity. The research hypotheses were: If people use electricity saving bulbs their electricity bills will be reduced. If people switch off their refrigerators during peak hours they can save electricity. Solar panels help people to save electricity.

By these hypotheses qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The collected data or information was analyzed and new findings were found. The research objective of doing is to discover the ways and means of saving electricity in Siyambalagahawatta and the purpose of doing this research is to help people to reduce their electricity bills and also to help save the environment. As you have seen, it is not

very difficult to learn how to save electricity in the home or any place where electricity is used. The most challenging aspect is changing peoples behaviors in order for them to not necessarily waste electricity. There are loads of tips or ways to save electricity for your house or apartment. One you have applied a few of them, you are well off on your journey to saving electricity and driving your energy costs lower. Using CFL and CIC bulbs Turning off unwanted lights during daylight Turning off their refrigerators during peak hours Getting the help of solar panels to heat water unplugging electric items when they are not in use Growing plants around the house

Saving electricity not only saves the electricity it also saves the environment.

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 2

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................4 2. Research Methodology ..........................................................................................5 3. Data Analysis ........................................................................................................6 3. Findings ..................................................................................................................7 5. Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................9 6. References ............................................................................................................12

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 3

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

1. Introduction
This report is about how to save electricity in Sri Lanka. The survey was conducted in a city called Ragama and this research was done using a sample of households in Siyambalagahawatta. The research title of this report is A Study on Ways and Means of Saving Electricity in Sri Lanka. The people dont save electricity because they are too lazy to do it specially the young generation and also some are ignorant about saving electricity. By this research it was expected to discover the ways and means of saving electricity. Also it was expected to discover whether the citizens had the knowledge about saving electricity and hoped that after this research they would understand that saving electricity would reduce their bills and also it would save the environment. This was the main purpose of doing this research. Certain recommendations were made based on the findings of this research.

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 4

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

2. Research Methodology
A survey was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to a sample of Households, Shops and a Church in Siyambalagahawatta. The research question was How can people in Sri Lanka Save

Electricity? The research hypotheses are If people use electricity saving bulbs their electricity bills will be reduced. If people switch off their refrigerators during peak hours they can save electricity. Solar panels help people to save electricity.

The research questions were formed based on the above hypotheses and quantitative and qualitative data were collected. These questions were given to the people and the collected information and data were analyzed in order to arrive at conclusions.

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 5

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

3. Data Analysis
Analysis: The sample was taken from Siyambalagahawatta area which had 15 Houses 3 Shops 1 Church

The questionnaires were analyzed and percentages were taken categorizing them as follows:

PLACES HOUSES SHOPS CHURCH Total

SAVE 73.3 33.3 100 68.9

DONT SAVE 26.7 66.7

31.1

68.9 were saving electricity in the area of Siyambalagahawatta and 31.1 saving electricity.

were not

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 6

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

3. Findings
Most of the people living in houses didnt know that they were saving electricity although were in fact saving electricity, due to less knowledge about it and some were concerned about electricity saving and had taken measures to save electricity. How they saved electricity and how they did not save electricity? The first question I asked from the people living in houses was Do you save electricity?. 60% of them said No at the beginning, but when they read the other questions it decreased to 26.7 . They were saving electricity by, Using CFL and CIC bulbs Turning off unwanted lights during daylight Turning off their refrigerators during peak hours Getting the help of solar panels to heat water unplugging electric items when they are not in use Growing plants around the house houses didnt save electricity due to less knowledge of it. They were

The other 26.7

Using high Voltage bulbs Using electricity during daylight Opening their refrigerators frequently Leaving their electric items plugged in even though they are switched off were saving electricity and 66.6 did not save electricity.

From all the shops only 33.3

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 7

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING How they saved electricity and how they did not save electricity? They saved electricity by, Using CFL and CIC bulbs Turning off unwanted lights during daylight Getting the help of the solar panels for charging bulbs Unplugging the electric items when they are not in use Growing plants around the shop

Didnt save electricity by, Using high Voltage bulbs Using electricity during daylight Opening their refrigerators frequently Leaving their electric items plugged in even when they are not in use Not growing trees

The Church was saving electricity by, Using generators to generate electricity at certain times Using CFL and CIC bulbs Not opening the refrigerators frequently Getting the help of solar panels to heat water Unplugging the electric items when they are not in use Growing plants around the church

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 8

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

Saving energy will help us to reduce the amount of electricity used by us unnecessarily and it will help us to make sure that we will have enough energy to be used in the future. It's up to all of us to use energy wisely. We must all conserve energy and use it efficiently. The most effective way of implementing energy-saving is to educate people on the bad effects of not saving electricity on the environment such as global warming, air pollution, etc. and hazards related to power plants have lead to increase interest among the people on the saving of electricity. In the near future, unless the larger UK CO2 emission targets are met, then we may all end up being forced to save energy, with fewer incentives, and more penalties and restrictions. The earlier, you can adopt an energy-saving programme, and the more electricity you can save, then the easier it will be for you when this happens. But we'll need to continue to use fossil fuels and nuclear energy until new, cleaner technologies can replace them. The future is ours, but we need energy to get there, so people must try to save electricity as much as possible. Concerns about the greenhouse effect, and more development in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, wave power and hydrogen will save electricity and the environment and finally the whole world. Some of the no-cost electricity saving tips recommended Timers:

Use the timer on your immersion heater. This should supply you with enough hot water as and when you need it. Computer:

Configure your computer to "energy saving" mode in which it will automatically change to the state of low consumption.

Switching off the screen can save even more than just letting the screen saver run. Turning your computer off at night instead of leaving it on will save on average 25% of its annual energy bill. Remember you should turn off your computer whenever you are not going to use it for more than an hour.

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 9

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING Fridge/Freezers:

Don't let frost build up in the freezer compartment as this increases energy consumption. Remember to defrost and clean the inside of your refrigerator and freezer at least every 6 months and make sure they are positioned in a cool place, not next to the cooker or boiler or where possible not in the path of direct sunlight.

Don't put warm or hot food straight into the freezer - let it cool down first. Cooking:

Put lids on pots and turn down the heat when the water starts to boil. The lids not only keep heat in the pot but also reduce condensation in the kitchen.

At a certain point in cooking, turn off electric rings and use their residual heat. Lots of energy saving cooking devices is under used: like slow casseroles, insulated deep fat fryers, microwave ovens and pressure cookers. They can save both energy and time - with better results! Microwaves:

In a microwave oven, arrange unevenly shaped items with the thickest portion to the outside. Stir or turn the food over to speed up cooking time. Remember a microwave is more efficient than a cooker for reheating food. Electric Ovens:

The oven is expensive to use - try to use it as sparingly and efficiently as possible. Where possible use it for more than just one item and remember you can cook at a higher temperature at the top of the oven, and simultaneously at a lower temperature at the bottom.

Do not open the oven door to check cooking - every time you do so you lose 20% of the accumulated heat. Toasters & Kettles:

The toaster is more energy efficient than the grill for toasting bread. When making tea or coffee, boil only the amount of water required (but make sure the heating elements of electric kettles are covered!)

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 10

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING Tumble Dryers:

When drying clothes in a dryer, dry heavy article separately from light articles and turn the dryer off as soon as the clothes are dry - don't over dry the clothes!

Dry clothes naturally out of doors whenever possible. Washing Machines:

The washing cycle selected on a washing machine should have the lowest water temperature required for the items being washed. A full load of washing is more energy efficient that two half loads. Use a cold rinse for your clothes. Dishwashers:

Stop the dishwasher before the drying cycle and open the door to let the dishes air dry and always use the economy button where possible. When purchasing, you should consider the following: Appliances: Be demanding when you buy, check the energy labels on appliances. Purchase A rated appliances whenever possible, they can save their replacement cost over their lifetime and benefit the environment. Electric Heaters: When buying heaters, make sure they are the right size for the rooms they are to heat. Remember that electric heaters consume electricity at the most expensive charge rate.

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 11

Z02SCS FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

6. References
http://www.seai.ie/Power_of_One/Energy_Saving/Electricity_Saving_Tips/ www.eedal.dk/.../Recommended_Measures_for_Electricity_Savings_.

AUSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CEYLON

Page 12