Filenews 30 May 2022 - by Despina Psilou
Energy savings and relief from "hot" electricity bills can bring about certain changes in the habits of citizens, the replacement of energy-intensive electrical appliances, the reinforcement of the insulation of the house and the installation of photovoltaics. On the occasion of the increase in prices and the cost of living, "F" brings together some solutions that can change the data of the household, reducing expenses. As underlined by the Director of the Energy Office of Cyprus, Savvas Vlachos, conversions can reduce electricity bills and at the same time improve living conditions, while promoting a greener lifestyle.
In particular, Mr. Vlachos clarified that the easiest change that can follow is tidying up, that is, to avoid energy wastage. "This will be achieved in areas that have high consumption, such as heating and air conditioning of the house. A first step is to regulate the room temperature. For the summer at 26 to 27 degrees Celsius, while for the winter at 20 to 21 degrees Celsius. For every single degree we deviate from these figures, we increase our consumption by 5%. If, for example, we lower the temperature to 23 degrees in the summer, we will have to pay an extra 15%.
However, Mr. Vlachos mentioned that when the office undertook energy renovations in low-income households they noticed that the poorest were wasting more money on energy than the wealthiest ones. "This is because they resort to cheaper markets, such as an economical heater to heat up, which want huge amounts of energy. They are thus trapped in huge bills." What they suggest to households to reduce costs, is to gradually make improvements to the building, such as insulation.
Another easy measure and hardly expensive, is to replace the means of lighting with led lamps. In addition, the replacement of energy-intensive electrical appliances with new, more energy-efficient ones contributes to the savings. He recalled that as of March 1, 2021, Cyprus and the EU countries have changed the energy label on electrical appliances. Now the scale A to G is offered, where A (green) consumes the least energy and G (red) the most. "It's important that consumers pay attention to this new label before buying a device." However, Mr. Vlachos said, "even if someone has a device that works that is of an age, they will save energy and money by replacing it with a more efficient one".
Drastic change the thermal insulation
The next and most drastic measure, says Mr. Vlachos, is the thermal insulation of the building. "The installation of thermal insulation materials, which may concern the ceiling, walls, floors as well as the replacement of windows. These works upgrade the building energetically and increase its value, but they cost money, especially if the windows are replaced. For example, for the insulation of a house of 100sq.m. around €20,000 will be needed. However, if a household is struggling financially, it is more beneficial to heat insulate its roof." As he clarified, the cost varies from €25 to €50 per square meter. "That is, a roof of 100sq.m. can cost from €2,500 to €5,000, depending on the quality. Thermal insulation of masonry is more expensive solution and difficult, however very effective. Here it can cost up to €60 per square meter and concerns the exterior walls of the building.
As Mr Vlachos pointed out, thermal insulation is an active measure, which significantly changes the living conditions. "It lengthens the period when you are comfortable in the building without air conditioning and without heating. Our energy needs are significantly reduced," he said, clarifying that the household can save a month of heating and a month of cooling. "In cases of very careful thermal insulation, you can completely save the heating needs in winter."
Change of mentality in the movements as well
Energy saving for the household, Mr. Vlachos underlined, includes transportation. He advised citizens where possible to go on foot, by bicycle, by public transport as well as by electric car. "This will completely extricate the household from fossil fuels. If someone intends to buy an electric car, there is a plan to combine a photovoltaic with a charger for the house. So charge your car from your own production."
He stressed that these are not only solutions that relieve only the pocket, but also the environment. "It's a matter of living in a sustainable way. Energy wastage is far removed from all the policies of Cyprus, the EU and the world, which seek the energy transition. The goal is to have zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. That is, hardly any use of fossil fuels, such as oil and gas."
Energy production with photovoltaics
A final move, as Mr Vlachos explained, is the installation of photovoltaics. "It's an easy solution and quite economical. You place the frames on the roof and they produce green electricity, directly from the sun. In essence, they take away from your bill, reducing energy costs. Production is set off against consumption." As he explained, "when there is demand in the household, it is possible that the energy produced by photovoltaics is consumed on-site. If the production is not sufficient, then it also complements energy from the conventional grid. If the production is left over, then, it offers to the conventional network. This surplus is offset when there is not enough coverage by the photovoltaics, e.g. at night or when it is cloudy".
The cost of installing photovoltaics is related to their production size. "A family of four will need a 3-kilowatt system, which costs indicatively around €4,000 to €5,000. One may drop the consumption to zero, especially during the summer months and only have to pay the fixed assets." However, he said, it is beneficial to install photovoltaics even when they cover part of the energy needs.
In case someone does not have space on his rooftop, under certain conditions he can place the photovoltaics perpendicular to the masonry. At the same time, he said, there is the possibility of virtual netmetering. In this case, the photovoltaics are installed in a location other than the serviced premises, e.g. in a field, plot or other building of the individual. Thus, the electricity produced by the photovoltaics is offset through a meter with the energy consumed by the household from the conventional grid, regardless of the fact that they are located elsewhere.
However, Mr. Vlachos said, the installation of photovoltaics should be combined with thermal insulation. "That's how one can put in place a smaller system." He also clarified, a wasteful house without insulation that has a large photovoltaic system can have the same bill as a very neat house that has a small photovoltaic system. "What we are promoting as an Energy Office of Cyprus, is that there should be tidying up in waste, insulation, some replacements and finally photovoltaics, so that the bills are zero".
