TIP 6: SAVE ELECTRICITY AND CHOOSE ECO-LABELED ENERGY!

Before electricity was invented, we used bonfires, candles, and kerosene lamps for light. We traveled by horse and buggy or walked wherever we needed to go. Even today, that’s what life is like for millions of people.

Even in modern societies, where people are completely dependent on electricity, people can run into problems if electricity prices suddenly skyrocket. In such cases, it’s important to be able to quickly adapt and improve energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency is about conserving energy and using it when it is most readily available. Reviewing energy use does not have to involve expensive renovations. You can go a long way simply by raising awareness. The benefits include lower electricity bills, a more comfortable indoor climate, better air quality, and a reduced environmental impact.

Choose climate-smart energy

Energy is a force found in the sun, the earth, water, the wind, plants, and everything that is alive. It causes things to move, change, or perform an action. There are different forms of energy. The sun, the wind, and water provide us with flowing energy. The sun’s rays shine down on us, the wind blows, and water rushes—all these words describe some kind of movement. These energy sources are also renewable, which means they can be replenished over and over again. That’s why it’s a good idea to switch to eco-labeled green electricity!

Plants and trees provide us with energy in the form of fuel for cars and heat for homes. The energy we get from the plant kingdom is called biofuel.

Heat consumes energy

Because of Sweden’s cold climate, a lot of energy is used to heat homes. Some people use district heating, which involves heating water that is then sent to the radiators in the homes. You can purchase eco-labeled district heating and electricity.

The sun is a fantastic source of energy that is also free and will never run out. For more than half the year, rooftop solar panels are the most environmentally friendly way to produce heat and hot water.

During the dark months of the year, solar panels need to be supplemented with another form of energy. For example, wood pellets, which are also environmentally friendly and clean. Some homes are heated using electricity or a furnace. Others use heat pumps that harness heat from the ground, groundwater, or the air. We have many energy sources to choose from to produce electricity and fuel. Some are better for the environment than others.

A ground-source heat pump heats a home by utilizing the solar heat energy stored in the bedrock. A hole is drilled into the rock, and a heat exchanger filled with fluid is placed in the hole. This fluid is heated by the stored solar energy and then pumped up to the ground-source heat pump.

1. We turn off the lights…

1. A.
   A. As soon as we leave the room (4 points)
2. B.
   B. When we go to bed (2 p)
3. C.
   C. both when we leave home and when we go to bed (3 p)
4. D.
   D. Never, actually! (1 point)

2. When we're not using the computers…

1. A.
   A. We just walk away without caring (1 p)
2. B.
   B. The screen saver turns on after a while (2 p)
3. C.
   C. We shut down the computer completely (4 points)
4. D.
   D. We press the power switch on a power strip or extension cord (3 p)

3. Once we've charged our cell phone…

1. A.
   A. So, my phone is charged… or what do you mean? (1 p)
2. B.
   B. We pull the charger out of the jacket (4 p)
3. C.
   C. We often forget to unplug the charger from the outlet (2)
4. D.
   D. Do we sometimes unplug the charger from the jacket (3 p)?

4. Many of our gadgets are battery-powered and…

1. A.
   A. The batteries run out quickly, so we're constantly buying new ones (1 p)
2. B.
   B. If we aren't going to use the device for a while, we take out the batteries (which would otherwise drain) (4 p)
3. C.
   C. We often forget to turn them off (2 p)
4. D.
   D. We use rechargeable batteries (3 p)

5. When we turn off appliances and turn off the lights, we do so because…

1. A.
   A. Someone keeps harping on about it (1 point)
2. B.
   B. Electricity costs money (3 points)
3. C.
   C. All energy use affects the environment (4 points)
4. D.
   D. We're going somewhere (2 p)

6. We usually take a shower for about…

1. A.
   A. 5–10 minutes. That’s enough time to wash your hair and body (4 p)
2. B.
   B. 15 minutes. You want to get really clean, after all (3 p)
3. C.
   C. 25 minutes. If we don't take a bath, we'll have to stay in the shower longer (2 p)
4. D.
   D. 35 minutes. You really want to enjoy it! (1 p)

7. If we're going to wash something, we'll wash…

1. A.
   A. under running water (1 point)
2. B.
   B. with dishwater in one and rinse water in the other (3 p)
3. C.
   C. in the dishwasher when it is full. (4 p)
4. D.
   D. in the dishwasher, whether it is full or not (2 points)

8. If we're going to cook pasta…

1. A.
   A. We use a lid and make sure the saucepan is the same size as the burner (3 p)
2. B.
   B. We bring the water to a boil in a large pot with a lid (2 p)
3. C.
   C. First, we boil the water in the kettle, then pour it into the saucepan (4 p)
4. D.
   D. We bring the water to a boil in a large pot, without a lid (1 p)

You’re true environmental heroes! You simply can’t help but always do your best to protect nature! If they could, the trees would bow to you as you walk by…

You’ve heard people talk about the environment and the need to conserve energy. It sounds reasonable, you think. And then you forget some of it. Go outside and pick some beautiful flowers or listen to the birds chirping—fall in love with nature!

Um… have you thought about the fact that the electric bill will have to be paid someday? You might as well start saving energy now—turn off the light! It only takes a second to turn it back on!