Turn off the heater, keep warm at home, put up curtains, close the blinds, set the air to 26 degrees in summer and even cover and change the pots
.
These are some tips that the Government disseminated to make
rational use of energy
, save and obtain efficiency in consumption and
avoid suffering from increased rates
and the removal of subsidies for electricity and gas.
The recommendations are similar to those made 8 years ago, in 2016, by Mauricio Macri and Juan José Aranguren, in another stage of adjustment after almost 15 years with “relative price distortion.”
This “manual” of good practices is part of a document from the Ministry of Energy that will be presented at the
public hearing on Thursday, February 29
for the new
segmentation
and formation of the
Basic Energy Basket
, and can be consulted on its website under the title “Analysis of residential natural gas consumption”, prepared by specialists
Leila Iannelli and Salvador Gil
.
According to studies done on the behavior of residential users (households), they found that the 2016 rate increase was instructive.
“An interesting fact to observe are the significant reductions in both consumptions starting in 2016. It is very likely that these consumption reductions would be associated with a more rational and efficient use of energy that occurred after this date.
This
rationalization of consumption
would have been motivated by the update of rates that occurred in 2016 and the generalization of the labeling system for energy efficient appliances, which by that date already covered most of the domestic equipment,” the document says.
Subsidy removal effect
“In addition, it is interesting to note that although inflation starting in 2018 effectively reduced the cost of bills, consumption did not return to the values prior to 2016,” the technicians completed.
Indeed, the annual “specific” consumption of gas fell by 23% from the peak of 2011 to 2018, and that of electricity, by 15% from the peak of 2015 to 2023.
They also noted that at similar temperatures,
gas consumption in Argentina is almost 3 times higher in the central and northern provinces than in Europe
, a value that reaches up to 5 times in Patagonia.
Heating
in winter takes up 49% of the total household demand, so the Government recommends using it at between 18° or “at most” 20°, only doing it “before going to sleep and turning it off or lowering it.
”
the temperature at night”, among other tips.
Tips to save energy
In addition,
“passive” consumption such as leaving the heater pilot light on takes up another 20% of the total
, so it is also suggested to turn it off when not in use.
Other “low-cost efficiency measures” are: avoiding air infiltration around doors and windows, placing weather
stripping
, “taking advantage of the sun” in winter,
using curtains
or blinds and using infrared thermal imaging cameras – which are found in some latest model cell phones. - to measure where there are anomalies.
“Unfortunately, in many constructions in the last decade in Argentina, curtains were no longer used.
Perhaps it is a distorting signal of energy subsidies,” the document states.
More: in summer it is suggested
to cool the environment to 25 or 26 degrees (not less)
, use a thermostat or thermometer to control the temperature of the home, wear appropriate clothing (light in summer, jacket or pullover at home in winter),
cover yourself with blankets or blankets when it is cold, wear pajamas and warm sheets
, do not open the windows in winter and even reverse the direction of rotation of the fan or turn it on to minimum "so that it forces the hot air that is near the ceiling downwards."
On the other hand, the Government also recommends
covering pots and pans
, which reduces energy consumption by up to 30% and speeds up cooking, buying thermal pots or “witch pots” and heat pumps for heating, due to their energy efficiency. .
In the conclusion stage, the
State Gas
campaign is remembered 65 years ago when they summoned Petrona Carrizo de Gandulfo, better known as
Doña Petrona
, to “induce families” to use gas as heating fuel.
“This time, perhaps we would need a new Mrs. Petrona of sustainability to promote the use of witch waves,” which cost about $25.
“
The cheapest and least polluting energy is that which is never used
!” concludes the document.
The next gas increase would be between March and April and the bills could be multiplied by up to 8 in some segments in the face of winter, given the removal of subsidies.