The world is in a crisis like and the need for energy efficiency is like never before. Governments and the UN’s Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) is in a flap. With the Covid-19 shutdown, War in Ukraine, Climate Change and an impending energy crisis, the rapidly rising energy costs are gravely affecting the already soaring cost-of-living for millions of people and businesses.
While we are led to believe there is hope in the form of renewable, alternate and cheaper energy, Sri Lanka is battling an economic crisis and decades of mis-management of the energy sector and we must brace ourselves for some harsh times ahead.
The business sector no doubt will be impacted significantly, and the already fledgling, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and small businesses will suffer the most.
Sri Lanka’s people are among the most resilient in the world and have battled centuries of colonization, decades of civil war and now years of economic strife, so as individuals, corporations and SME’s let’s look at a collective effect that can be brought about to increase energy efficiency and reduce each of our energy footprint.
- Collective saving – be it individuals, SMEs or major Corporations the habit of saving must be
inculcated into individuals everywhere you go. It must become second nature to look to save. - Energy audits – bigger corporations can use this to help determine the baseline usage and
give you visibility to trim. SMEs can do this on a smaller scale using individuals. - Energy efficient equipment – check the existing equipment and focus on your new buys. Most
new equipment is significantly more efficient so replacement might be financially feasible in
the long term. - Reduce peak time usage – staggering work hours and times heavy equipment is run, will
reduce peak demand. This can be applied in SME’s a lot easier than in big business as SME’s can operate with more flexibility. - Programming thermostats – programming for non-peak hours and setting temperatures to
energy-efficient levels. - Energy-efficient light fixtures – using energy-efficient bulbs and fixtures can significantly save power consumption.
- Turning off lights – should be a universal practice, get your staff, and household programmed in on this. Businesses should especially focus on training/driving mindset of staff.
- Sunlight – take advantage of natural light – old buildings can be modified, and new buildings should be built to use the natural light wherever possible.
- Substituting fans for A/C – the smaller companies may have to look at investing in this.
- Prevent Phantom energy – this is when your equipment is plugged in and not being used. Mostly never observed but awareness and driving this can reduce your footprint greatly.
- Outside of your building – energy saving lamps, garden/car park lighting/fountains –almost never considered but these must be minimalized and switched off whenever possible.
- Switching off early – introduce the culture of switching of anything early – the iron, the stove the computer etc.
- Vehicle & equipment maintenance – an important factor to save energy, timely maintenance
of equipment, vehicles official or personal can make a massive difference. Simply having tires
correctly inflated can have a significant impact on fuel consumption. - Cooling equipment – often air-conditioners, fridges are used beyond required temperature, size of room, sealing air-leaks, using curtains, covering open spaces, can help.
- Heating appliances – switching off a tad before, using correct size of utensils, leaving frozen food out earlier in order to avoid extra heating, folding or hanging instead of ironing are some interesting ideas.
- Domestic appliance use – washing machines, dishwashers should never be used other than with a proper load, LED lights or CFL bulbs, reduce decorative lamps.
- Transportation – offices or at home, vehicle pooling, walking, biking and using public transport must be encouraged.
- Water – use a bowl instead of running tap, encourage less frequent use of water, glasses instead of single-use plastic bottles, filters and cups at events instead of water bottles, collecting rainwater etc.
www.diriya.lk invite you to share below in the comment section, tips and practices that you have
found useful. This is our problem – let’s help each other solve it.