It is no secret that the living room is where we spend a considerable part of our daily lives, especially in autumn/winter evenings; therefore, it is important to use it efficiently and to think about the efficient use of electricity as well.
Interior designers spend their days studying the tiniest details that make a room perfect. Like a beautifully directed film, a well-designed living room is eye-catching and impressive, while being functionally designed to provide comfort, convenience and efficient use.
Before buying a new TV, please read the energy label carefully.
It is equally important to consider your TV viewing habits – either it will be switched on in the evening to watch news, soaps and films, or it will be used by a cinema fan, who is particularly interested in high quality. In the first case, the comparison of different modern TV screens will not make a significant difference; however, if high quality is important, it is worth investing and getting quality in the long run.
One of the most important factors in choosing a TV is the type of screen. We have summarised the main advantages and disadvantages of different screen types.
Screen type
Main advantages
Main disadvantages
LLCD or liquid crystal display. Pixels do not emit light; therefore, supplementary illumination is provided by light bulbs behind the screen (CCFL). The light passes through filters (polarisers) and then into a liquid crystal.
Low weight.
Lower costs.
Poorer contrast.
Narrower viewing angles.
Lower image quality, especially in dynamic scenes.
No distinct black colour.
Increased screen thickness.
EdgeLED – LEDs are situated at the sides of the TV.
Full LED – LEDs spread across the entire screen area.
LED – light-emitting diodes.
Higher contrast.
Very good colour reproduction.
Lower electricity consumption; however, note that Full LED TVs will have higher electricity consumption due to the placement of the LEDs.
Much thinner compared to LCD TVs.
Higher costs.
The narrower viewing angle is more suitable for watching films and playing console games.
QLED * – an improved version of LCD, LED achieved by adding a quantum dot enhancement film. Quantum dot – light-emitting diodes.
*Quantum dot – light-emitting diodes.
Significantly more brightness, livelier and more vivid images, especially in sunny rooms.
High contrast value.
Wider viewing angle.
More pronounced shades of black and bright colours.
A more affordable technology compared to OLED.
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OLED** – based on organic light-emitting diodes that are built into each pixel, which emits light independently.
** Organic light-emitting diodes.
Perfect contrast or colour variation – realistic image.
Extra-wide viewing angle.
Distinct black colour.
Increased screen responsiveness, which ensures dynamic viewing.
Higher energy efficiency.
Lower electricity consumption.
Very thin body.
Higher costs.
What else should be taken into consideration?
The size of the TV screen also determines the electricity consumption, therefore you need to select a screen, the size of which suits the room. To calculate the optimum diagonal size of a TV screen in centimetres, the distance from the viewer’s position to the screen must be divided by three.
We recommend choosing a TV with a built-in ambient light sensor, as this will automatically adjust the screen to the optimum brightness in a dark room, saving 30–50% on electricity.
If you often forget to turn off the TV when it’s not being actively watched, or if you use it to listen to digital radio, you should choose a TV model that has a built-in occupancy sensor (the screen is automatically turned off when no one is near the TV) or a screen-off function, thus reducing your overall electricity consumption.
The brighter the screen, the more electricity it consumes. The brightness of the screen must be adjusted to the level of ambient light: in a well-lit room the screen brightness should be increased, while in a dark room it should be decreased.
It is advisable to place the TV in a spot where the screen is not directly exposed to the sun.
All devices that can be switched on with a remote control constantly consume small amounts of electricity in standby mode. We recommend switching the TV off completely when it’s not in use. An extension cord with an on/off switch can help here.
To reduce electricity consumption, select "Optimal", "Movies" or "Cinema" in the TV image settings.
If your home doesn’t have a lightning and surge protection system, you must unplug your TV, set-top box and other electrical appliances during a thunderstorm.
It is not advisable to leave the TV on while performing other activities at the same time, with the TV as background noise. Not only does this affect the productivity of the work done but it is also reflected in your electricity bill.
If you often forget to turn off the TV or if you find yourself dozing off, we recommend that you set a time, upon the expiry of which the TV automatically switches off in your TV settings.
The TV screen should not be cleaned with chemical cleaners or wet sponges. A dry cloth of microfibre fabric designed for cleaning monitors must be used instead.
2. Lighting (dining area, living area)
The living room is often the place where we spend most of our time with our household. Especially during the cold season, we prefer to spend most weekday and weekend evenings in a cosy atmosphere, gathered around the dining area, at the family dinner table or in the living area, sipping a hot cup of tea, playing board games and enjoying movie nights with friends. Lighting plays an important role in creating the right atmosphere. Correct lighting transforms any room into a home!
It is recommended to install a ceiling lamp as the general light source, which is used as the main source of room lighting. This lamp should preferably be equipped with a dimmer, to ensure that the lighting can be adjusted to suit your specific needs.
How do I know if an LED bulb has a dimming function? This is indicated on the bulb packaging by a dimmer or light regulator pictogram. If it is crossed out, the bulb cannot be connected to the dimmer.
The colour of the light can have a psychological effect on productivity – bluish light stimulates energy, while warm white light creates a feeling of relaxation and calm. The most suitable lighting for residential lighting is a bulb with a warm white light colour that complies with 2700–3200 K (Kelvin degrees).
The lighting should be directed to the area where it is most needed; furthermore, it should be possible to make adjustments from a brighter to a warmer colour.
It is desirable to create several areas in the living room with different light, or to install light dimmers in each area.
To avoid wasting electricity on lighting, natural light must be used to the fullest by choosing curtains that are as transparent as possible so that you do not have to switch on light bulbs during daylight hours.
Inspired by the Danish lifestyle hygge (hyoo-guh), which describes a feeling of cosiness, warmth and comfort at home, we recommend using several luminaires with warm light (1800–2700 K) that is reminiscent of a sunset or the glow of a cosy campfire.
The further the luminaire is from the floor or table top, the more the light emitted by the bulb is dispersed; therefore, rooms with high ceilings need a light source with higher luminous flux, or more lumens (lm).
Wall lamps, floor lamps or desk lamps are recommended for reading, doing crafts, studying and working on the computer.
White colour LED lighting (3200–4000 K) is more suitable for productivity and performance in work areas.
You will find more useful information on lighting here.
3. Microclimate and indoor environment
Nowadays, people spend a lot of time indoors, and the indoor microclimate is one of the factors that has a significant impact on quality of life.
Results of studies regarding the impact of air quality on human health show that several diseases, such as respiratory problems and allergies, are caused by poor indoor air quality. Once carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels reach high concentrations indoors, it can cause one to feel unwell, fatigue and headaches. It must be kept in mind that this may have long-term health implications, which may manifest much later.
The main parameters of a healthy indoor microclimate are room temperature, humidity level and concentration of carbon dioxide or CO2, which increases when a person exhales. For indoor air to be healthy and comfortable for people, these parameters must be within the optimal limits:
room temperature 20 to 22 °C (differs depending on the use of the room and individual needs);
humidity level of 40 to 60%;
CO₂ concentrations of up to 1,000 ppm.
Room temperature
Remember that every degree elevated above the required values increases heating costs by an average of 5%!
Various smart devices that can be bought and connected to the heating system are excellent help in adjusting heating. They enable remote control of the microclimate and adjustment of the heating to your needs. For instance, the system automatically turns the heating down by a few degrees when the occupants leave for the day, and restores the desired temperature well before they return home.
Using smart heating controls will reduce the heating bills by an average of 30%.
If the temperature cannot be controlled manually and the room is too warm, it is advisable to ventilate the room regularly. This will help to lower the room temperature slightly, reduce humidity and CO₂ levels, as well as help your body absorb the oxygen it needs.
To reduce CO₂ concentrations in the room
The room should be ventilated by completely opening the window briefly so that the furniture doesn’t have time to cool down.
For the ventilation to be effective, it is advisable to open the windows on two opposite sides of the room and, if possible, turn off the radiator thermostats and heating appliances before ventilating.
When ventilating a room, make sure there are no obstacles in front of the window, such as thick curtains, blinds or furniture, which can obstruct air exchange.
To reduce room humidity
If possible, laundry should not be dried indoors, but outdoors on a clothesline or in an electric tumble dryer.
If there are too many houseplants in a room, you should reduce the number of houseplants, as they release moisture.
However, if all the above measures have already been implemented, but the humidity level is still high, we recommend using a dehumidifier or an electrically operated air dehumidifier.
Recommendations for room humidification
A damp cloth should be hung in the room to release moisture over time.
The amount of houseplants should be increased, as the soil and plants release moisture.
4. Humidifier
Care should be taken to ensure that the air in the room is not too dry, both during the summer season when various air-cooling devices are used, and, particularly, during the heating season when heating is used. Dryness causes irritation of the skin, eye mucosa and respiratory tract, leading to long-term health problems. Use of an additional device – a humidifier is recommended to ensure optimum humidity (40-60%), which helps to achieve the required humidity level and create a favourable micro-environment.
The most important things to consider are the size of the area the appliance is designed to cover, its performance and, consequently, electricity consumption, as well as the noise level it generates. The sound or noise level of these devices ranges from 25 to 50 dB.
You are also advised to assess the water consumption and the size of the water tank – the ratio between them determines the time of humidifier operation until the next refilling of the tank (usually 10–15 h).
If you plan to use the humidifier in several rooms, the device should be as light as possible to ensure that it is easy to move.
There are basically three types of humidifiers:
Type
Advantages
Disadvantages
Traditional humidifiers suck the air into the appliance and filter it through water by trapping tiny particles of bacteria, allergens and other pollutants.
Easy to use.
Any water (not just distilled water) can be used.
Comparatively low electricity consumption.
Evaporation filters must be cleaned or replaced regularly.
Noisy.
Often they can only operate in a small part of the room.
TSteam humidifiers use the principle of heating the water, which is then released into the room as steam.
Easy to use.
High performance.
Unsafe for children and pets due to the possibility of scalding by hot steam.
Comparatively high electricity consumption.
Ultrasonic humidifiers – ultrasonic waves create a mist of water without forming condensation or raising the room temperature.
Convenient and safe to use.
Quiet and efficient, they use up to 80% less energy than traditional steam humidifiers.
A built-in hygrometer or hygrostat maintains the humidity level in the room.
At least filtered water should be used, preferably – distilled.
Ultrasonic humidifiers with both hot and cold steam systems are available for purchase. With the use of a hot steam system, the water is heated to about 80 degrees, then it is turned into mist, and when it reaches the humidifier opening, the steam is about 40 degrees hot, which is a pleasant level of heat that cannot cause scalds. In a cold steam system, on the other hand, the water is not heated and is immediately turned into a moist mist. Some models also offer the option of using the device as an essential oil diffuser.
Cold steam humidifiers are generally cheaper, easier to handle and often suitable for larger rooms. However, they are often louder, as well.
Meanwhile, hot steam humidifiers are quieter, they can increase the humidity level in a room faster and are more suitable for northern climates. Furthermore, hot steam models do not need to be cleaned as often.
Only plug the humidifier in when you are using it. Unplugging the device reduces the amount of power consumed by the device in standby mode.
Tap water can be used in the humidifier, but distilled water is preferable as it will prevent the build-up of limescale and keep the humidifier running at high efficiency for longer.
Place the humidifier in the centre of the room, away from walls and large furniture, to enable the access of as much air to the unit as possible.
To prevent the growth of mould and other contaminants, we recommend rinsing the humidifier tank daily, towel-drying it and refilling it with fresh water.
Once a week (or as specified in the instructions), the tank and the base need to be serviced and disinfected to prevent loss of efficiency.
Change filters in accordance with the schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
Dry the humidifier thoroughly before storing it. And only fill the tank, when you are ready to use it.
5. Air conditioner
There is nothing better than something cool on a hot summer day – whether it’s an ice cream, a refreshing drink or a cooling blast of air – however, the most effective way to relieve the heat is the flow of cool air from your air conditioner.
When choosing an air conditioner, attention must be paid to its energy efficiency. The higher the energy efficiency class, the less energy it is going to consume. Please note that mobile air conditioners do not have an energy label. The energy label of your air conditioner contains the following information.
Air conditioner is an effective device for cooling premises, but it is very important to know how to select the appropriate air conditioner.
Split-type air conditioner
This type of air conditioner consists of two units – an indoor and an outdoor unit – connected by pipes through which the refrigerant circulates.
Split-type air conditioners have different functions, and they are safe and quiet. This air conditioner has low electricity consumption and a high-performance factor. However, this type of air conditioner is relatively expensive and needs to be installed by a professional.
Window air conditioner
This type of air conditioner is installed in a window opening or in the wall next to the window. This solution is not common in Latvia, but the main advantages of a window air conditioner are high cooling capacity, many features, easy installation and maintenance, and relatively low price. There are disadvantages that need to be mentioned as well, for instance, high noise levels and the fact that the air conditioner takes up a large part of the window.
The installation of split-type and window air conditioners in apartments requires written approval of a majority of the owners of the apartments in the building (50% plus one vote). Therefore, a mobile air conditioner is the most convenient type of air conditioner as it doesn’t require approval.
Mobile air conditioner
It is a suitable solution for small spaces. The warm air is expelled through a special pipe. The advantage of such device is that it has wheels, which makes it easy to move.
The mobile air conditioner is relatively simple to install and is also reasonably priced. The main drawbacks of the device are the low power and high noise level.
The most important factors when selecting a conditioner:
Power – it is important to choose this parameter in accordance with the area of the room. If you choose a low-capacity device, it will not be able to cool a large room. We recommend that you seek professional advice to understand how much power you need for your home. The specialist will recommend the most suitable option.
Functions – Nowadays, air conditioners are equipped with several functions such as air cooling, ventilation, as well as air heating. It should be noted that each function increases the cost of the device. To avoid overpaying, we recommend choosing a device with features that you really need and will use.
Installation – not all air conditioners are easy to install. In order not to damage the device during installation, it is better to entrust this work to professionals. When choosing this household climate control device, special attention should be paid to noise level indicators. Most commonly, the air conditioner emits noise between 38 dB and 54 dB outdoors, and between 26 dB and 36 dB indoors. For comparison – people indoors usually talk at a noise level between 35 dB and 45 dB.
The air conditioner will be able to cool and run energy-efficiently if a number of recommendations are taken into consideration:
Ensuring good air circulation around the unit by removing obstacles such as furniture or plants that block the flow of cooled air is recommended to ensure high cooling efficiency of the air conditioner.
The air conditioner usually has a temperature sensor that measures the room temperature and a thermostat that adjusts the cooling temperature accordingly. It is therefore recommended not to place equipment that generates heat next to the air conditioner, since this will induce more extensive operation of the air conditioner and, consequently, increase electricity consumption.
Cooling should be started early in the morning before the rooms have been heated up by the sun, as well as windows and night curtains or blinds should be closed in the rooms you want to protect from rising temperatures.
It is advisable to keep windows and doors closed when the appliance is running, thus limiting the flow of hot air into the room and, consequently, reducing electricity consumption.
To take care of your health and electricity consumption, we recommend that you set the operating mode of the air conditioner in your room so that the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures doesn’t exceed 5 °C.
If possible, we recommend that you set the desired time of operation of the air conditioner, rather than switching it on every time you need it – this will keep the room at the desired temperature at all times
Some air conditioners not only cool rooms but also provide cleaning of the air with filters. To ensure efficient and human health-friendly operation of your air conditioner, it is recommended to have it serviced at least once per year, following the information in the user manual or, preferably – by a professional!
Before servicing the appliance, switch it off and disconnect it from the power supply.
The surface can be cleaned with a damp, soft cloth without using chemical solvents, as these can damage the surface of the air conditioner and even the entire unit itself.
Cleaning of the filter grille is recommended every two weeks – if it becomes clogged, the performance of the air conditioner will deteriorate.
6. Mazā elektronika
Every appliance left on standby consumes a small amount of electricity. But this small amount adds up to 10% of monthly consumption! We recommend switching off and unplugging your computer, printer, set-top box, audio system, games console completely when going to bed or going out by making sure that the lights or digital displays of these appliances are not glowing.
We also recommend unplugging your router if no other devices in your home are connected to the Wi-Fi network.
To make your daily life easier, it is recommended to use an extension cord with an on/off switch or a smart socket. This will disconnect several electrical appliances in standby mode with one touch.
7. Electrical heaters
When buying an electrical heating appliance, you should first consider the purpose that you need it for – to warm up a room quickly or keep it warm for a long time. Choosing the right heating appliance will help you avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Several types of electrical heaters are available:
Type of heating
Operating principle
Suitable for
Convection heater
The warm air flow through the vents at the top of the heater warms the room relatively quickly, but the flow of air also moves dust in the room.
Most of them are equipped with a thermostat that allows you to adjust the heat intensity and the duration of appliance operation, enabling it to maintain the set temperature in the room.
Models with an additional fan that helps circulate warm air in the room are also available.
Suitable in the cases where the home doesn’t have a general heating system or it doesn’t provide the required indoor temperature.
Oil-filled heater
Their principle of operation is similar to that of centralised heating radiators: a liquid heat transfer fluid – oil – is filled into the radiator, which transfers heat to the metal body of the heater as it warms up.
It is slower to heat up the room, but takes longer to cool down after switching off, which is why it is suitable as a long-term heat source.
The heat output depends on the size of the surface or the number of sections; therefore, an appliance with more sections or fins will heat the room faster.
Oil radiators with a thermostat and additional fan are also available.
It is suitable in the cases where the existing heating system is not able to provide the required room temperature.
Inertia radiator
An accumulating electrical heater that is equipped with a heat accumulator or storage medium – a ceramic plate or bricks of a special material with the heating element built into the storage medium.
This type of heater costs more but takes longer to cool down.
Equipped with a thermostat, sometimes with an occupancy sensor to lower the room temperature in the absence of inhabitants, and with an open window sensor to automatically switch off the unit during ventilation.
It should be taken into consideration that, if this type of heater is operated, the temperature in the room will take a longer period of time to change than with the use of other electrical heaters.
The inertia heater is suitable for homes, where electric heating is the only heat source.
It should be noted that 100 W are required to heat 1 m2, so a 1 kW heater should be chosen to heat a 10 m2 room, a 2 kW heater to heat a 20 m2 room, and so on.
It is important that the heater is equipped with a thermostat that allows you to adjust the heating capacity, not just turn the heater on and off, and maintains the temperature set in the room.
If you need to keep the room warm for a long time, you should choose a convection heater, which will heat the room quicker and more evenly.
If you only want to heat the part of the room where people are staying, you can choose an infrared heater. Such a heater reaches its maximum heating capacity in just a few seconds, rapidly generating heat in its heat radiation area (by warming the objects nearby).
If it’s cool when you come home and you want to warm the room quickly, first switch the heater on to the maximum heating mode. When a comfortable temperature in the room has been reached, adjust the heater to a mode that maintains the room temperature.
To reduce the electricity consumption of electrical heaters, we recommend using their control options. When at home, the heating temperature of your home should be set between 20 and 22 °C.
If the temperature of the premises is lowered by just 1°, the electricity consumption of the heater will reduce by 5%.
Rooms also need to be ventilated in autumn and winter to remove the carbon dioxide (CO2) that has been accumulated in the room and to provide your body with fresh air. To prevent unnecessary electricity consumption of the heater, turn it off during ventilation.
Do not forget about your safety – an electrical heater may not be situated too close to furniture and it may not be left on when you leave your house.
Technology is evolving at an increasingly faster pace and there are now many options on the market that allow you to upgrade your home and manage your electrical appliances remotely. The electrical heater can also be connected to a smart socket, which will display the consumption of the appliance and be controlled remotely via the mobile app of the manufacturer, virtual assistant or voice control (depending on the appliance). This allows you to adjust the heating, for instance, by switching it on shortly before you get home.
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