Steplight

Energy Efficiency

Temperature can be a rough indicator of appliance energy efficiency. Most electrical appliances produce ‘waste heat’ when switched on. This is because all the components inside them are not 100% efficient and the wasted energy is typically converted to heat. As such, inefficient appliances usually produce more waste heat than efficient ones (think of hot halogen down-lights, poorly insulated ovens, and so on). Do you have wasteful appliances which could be used less or replaced with energy efficient alternatives?

Thermal Comfort

Radiant temperature, in particular, is an important aspect of thermal comfort. You can use a non-contact thermometer to find what parts of your building are letting in too much heat in summer or sucking it all out in winter. Measure the surface temperature of a window and compare it to an internal wall. Can action be taken to better manage heat loss or heat gain through the window?

Air Conditioners

As a rule of thumb, a one degree adjustment can save around 10% off your heating and/or cooling costs. Most people find a temperature of 24-26 degrees to be pleasant in summer and 18-20 degrees suitable in winter. If you use an air conditioner or ducted heating, these are good guidelines to follow. Setting an air conditioner lower in summer typically does not make it work any faster. It will just use more electricity because the compressor will stay on for longer.

Refrigerators

Fridges and freezers often remain on their over-spec factory settings. To measure the fridge or freezer temperature, place a thermometer inside and leave it there for 30 minutes. Four degrees is recommended for your fridge and as ‘warm’ as -12 degrees is suitable for the freezer. Adjust the settings on your unit as appropriate. A freezer set at -12 will safely store foods for relatively ‘short’ periods (2-3 months). The factory settings of around -18 degrees can store food for longer periods, but this is unnecessary in most cases.

Download your FREE guide from Steplight

You can download an up-to-date PDF which contains the above content here: Measuring and Monitoring Energy Consumption – A Practical Guide

Steplight’s infra-red thermometer will measure the surface temperature of an object it is pointed at. To use it, simply hold down the ‘measure’ button. For more accurate readings press the button for a longer period as it displays an average reading over this time once the button is released.

Steplight’s temperature gauge measures air temperature just like a normal thermometer, but it has a helpful guide printed down the side. It is a great tool to promote energy-efficient behaviour in your home or office.

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