Everyone can contribute to the energy front. Here’s what you need to know about saving electricity.

It has been two years since the Ukrainian energy system has faced large-scale missile attacks from the Russians. Many regions of the country are experiencing issues with stable power supply, making it essential to conserve electricity at this time.

Each time after a massive strike, thanks to the heroism of energy workers, power supply is restored. Although it may not always happen quickly, light always returns to the homes of Ukrainians.

As winter approaches, the air temperature drops, which in turn increases electricity consumption. This period has been repeatedly exploited by the Kremlin to deliver even greater blows to the system, so citizens should be prepared for potential electricity issues.

Consumers must assist energy workers by using electricity wisely and conserving heat, which will help balance the energy system and give specialists time to restore it in case of new damages.

The Energy Ministry has compiled tips on saving electricity and heat from industry experts, the Ministry of Energy, NEC "Ukrenergo," and Yasno.

Why It's Important to Save Electricity in Winter

1. The first argument is pragmatic. Citizens who consciously limit their electricity consumption save their own money and reduce their utility bills.

2. National interest. In difficult times for the country, reducing electricity consumption saves coal, which will be burned by thermal power plants in winter to generate electricity and heat homes.

3. Social. Reducing energy costs protects the energy system from overload and allows energy workers to speed up its restoration. If this is not done, many users will be left without light for longer periods.

The fact is that after infrastructure is damaged by Russian missiles, specialists de-energize one line and connect consumers to a backup one. However, the backup is less reliable and does not always withstand the load.

That is why energy workers ask for reduced electricity consumption after strikes. Peak hours are from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. During these times, it is advisable to minimize the use of energy-intensive household appliances.

This enables energy workers to repair equipment more quickly, and dispatchers to avoid rolling blackouts for consumers. But what if they cannot avoid them?

How to Find Out if There Will Be Power Outages on My Street?

If rolling blackouts are necessary, the "Ukrenergo" dispatch center determines the magnitude and duration of the restrictions and communicates this data to the regional energy companies, which implement the restrictions for consumers.

Information about outages is published on the websites of regional energy companies, and some notify citizens through personal accounts or via messenger chatbots.

For convenience, the Ministry of Energy has gathered contacts for all suppliers on a single page. Additionally, recently, Yasno launched a Telegram bot that will inform subscribers about the schedules and geography of electricity outages.

This will also help save electricity.

Conservative Use of Electricity: What to Pay Attention To

To reduce energy costs and lessen the load on the energy system during peak hours and beyond, it is necessary to change the approach and timing of using the most energy-intensive devices. Each of them has its power consumption indicated.

As noted by the Ministry of Energy, the most electricity is consumed by the stove – 7.5 kWh, electric underfloor heating – 3.8 kWh, tumble dryer – 3.3 kWh, and oven from 2.5-4 kWh.

Therefore, if possible, it is advisable to reduce the use of these household appliances or turn them on outside of peak load hours.

A household boiler consumes from 1.5 kWh to 2.5 kWh, so it is recommended to heat water just before use.

"If the boiler is turned on around the clock, it significantly increases electricity consumption, while hot water is only used when necessary, for example, to take a shower or wash dishes," say Yasno.

Vacuum cleaners, which consume 1.4-2.5 kWh, can be replaced with a broom. Additionally, to save electricity, the use of hair dryers and irons (1-2.2 kWh) can be limited.

Dishwashers also consume a lot – 0.8-1.9 kWh, so dishes can be washed by filling a bowl with water.

If an energy-intensive electric stove is installed at home, it is better to use a microwave to heat food. It consumes less electricity because it takes less time to heat food.

Heaters and air conditioners should ideally be used only at night when electricity consumption in the country significantly decreases.

Most washing machines have a "delayed washing" function, so it is also advisable to move this to nighttime, programming the start time.

Power banks and batteries should be charged at night for use during the day.

Replacing incandescent bulbs (from 0.1 kWh) with LED bulbs (from 0.009 kWh) will reduce electricity consumption. Light should only be turned on in rooms where there are people.

How to Keep Heat in Your Apartment

It is important to take care of heat retention, especially with winter approaching and the government warning that temperatures in apartments will be lower than usual.

If your home has double-glazed windows, this will help retain heat and save money. If the windows are old and have gaps, it is advisable to place seals in the frames and treat the glass with silicone sealant.

You can also stick film on the window, which additionally retains heat. A more economical option is packaging film, the one with "bubbles."

To enhance the effect of using central heating, it is recommended to install a heat-reflective screen on the walls behind the radiators. A more economical option is a reflector made from aluminum foil and a sheet of packaging cardboard.

Make sure there are no gaps between the door leaf and the door frames. If there are, seals should be glued around the perimeter of the door frames.

Even if you are not fond of carpets, cover the floor with them at least in the rooms where you will spend the most time during winter.

It is advisable to insulate not only the apartment but also yourself. Your wardrobe should include warm socks, sweaters, thermal underwear, blankets, and comforters. This winter promises to be exceptionally challenging.