CONSERVATION OF ENERGY

IN REAL LIFE
CONTENTS

• What is energy?
• What is conservation of energy?
• Why to conserve energy?
• Ways to conserve energy
• Law of conservation of energy
• Benefits of conservation of energy
WHAT IS ENERGY?
• Energy is the capacity to do work.
• Energy lights our cities, powers our vehicles, and runs machinery in
factories. It warms and cools our homes, cooks our food, plays our
music, and gives us pictures on television.
• Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical
energy, light, potential energy, electrical or other forms.
• According to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy of a
system remains constant, though energy may transform into another
form.
• Energy is most noticeable as it transforms from one type to another.
What is conservation of energy?
Energy conservation is the act of reducing the usage and wastage of
energy. Switching off the AC, light, etc., when nobody is in the room
are a few practices that help in energy conservation. We know energy is
a broad term and is the fundamental source of living. Energy is
classified into various types depending on its nature. Energy
conservation is the means of reducing the consumption of energy.
To reduce the environmental impact on society, energy conservation
measures are being imparted. Remember, by saving energy, you are
protecting the environment directly. We know that energy is precious.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed but can be transformed from
one form to another.
The best examples to demonstrate energy transformation from one form
to another are:

• The microphone is a device to convert sound energy into electrical

energy.
• The solar panel is used to convert sunlight to electrical energy.
• Shafts in the windmill rotate to convert mechanical energy into
electrical energy.
WHY TO CONSERVE ENERGY?
• We have limited resources available on earth.
• Our demands are continuously increasing day by day.
• It is possible that someday most of the non- renewable resources will
be exhausted and we will have to switch over to alternate energy.

Energy needs to be conserved to cut costs and to preserve the resources

for longer use. Conventional energy sources pollute the environment by
emitting harmful gases into the atmosphere. Conventional energy
sources are limited and might expire one day. We, therefore, have a
responsibility to conserve and save energy as much we can to make it
available for our future generations and protect our environment from
further degradation.
We save money
when we save
energy.

We reduce
pollution when we
save energy

We save our
energy when we
save energy
LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be
created nor be destroyed. Although, it may be transformed from one
form to another. If you take all forms of energy into account, the total
energy of an isolated system always remains constant. All the forms of
energy follow the law of conservation of energy. In brief, the law of
conservation of energy states that
EXAMPLES OF LAW OF CONSERVATION OF
ENERGY
• LIGHT BULB: When the switch connected to the light bulb is pushed or is turned on,
the electrical connection between the supply unit and the bulb gets established. The
current begins to flow in the closed electrical circuit causing the bulb to glow. Here, the
electrical energy gets converted into light energy after entering the internal circuitry of the
light bulb. Hence, the light bulb is a prominent example of the law of conservation of
energy.
• COLLISION: A moving object induces motion into a stationary object after hitting it.
This is because the kinetic energy possessed by the moving object can not end abruptly.
As per the law of conservation of energy, the energy can only be transferred and cannot be
created or destroyed; therefore, the impact force transfers kinetic energy to the stationary
object, thereby causing it to move.
WAYS TO CONSERVE ENERGY
• Adjust your day-to-day behaviors to turn off devices and appliances
when not in use. Purchase devices and appliances which consume
less energy.
• Adapt smart power strips: Do you know power or energy is consumed
when the appliances are not in use. Yes, appliances draw power from
outlets and are referred to as phantom loads. These smart power
strips will help to cut down on phantom-load costs and save energy.
• Refrigerators are one of the main appliances that consume power.
Keep the setting of the refrigerator low to save energy.
• Using CFL and LED bulbs to save energy. Regular incandescent bulbs
consume more energy than CFL and LED
• Clean or replace air filters as recommended. Air conditioners (AC) and
heaters consume more energy than other appliances. Cleaning or
replacing air filters improves efficiency and consumes less energy.
• Operate dishwasher and washing machines in a full load. To get the
most energy-saving use from each run cycle.
• Using a laptop instead of desktop computers can save considerable
energy.
• Install water-saver showerheads to help with conserving hot water and
save power.
• Use a slow cooker, toaster oven, or microwave oven over a
conventional oven. Also, use utensils made of ceramic and glass.
• Cycling is the best way to save fuel.
• Walking instead of driving also saves energy.
• Skip the dryer on a breezy day and dry clothes on the clothesline.
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY FOR
HOMES
• Solar Panels: The list of the most popular alternative sources of energy that
can be used in a home. Considering that you can power your house with a few
panels if you’re looking for a small jump in energy efficiency, solar is a good way
to start moving off the grid and consuming a better source of electricity. There
are many advances in solar photovoltaic technology and tax incentives to attract
more homeowners.
• Wind Turbine: Using wind turbines to generate electricity will greatly depend
on where you live. Installing small wind turbines in your home is a great eco-
friendly option for those living in places with good wind speed.
• Geothermal Power: Using geothermal power for heating and cooling your home
is a much more efficient way of investing into energy efficiency. Ground source
heat pumps provide consistent heating and cooling throughout your house and
are durable and efficient, letting you reap their benefits for decades.
TIPS TO IMPROVE THE ENERGY RATING OF
HOME
Living in energy-efficient houses puts individuals into a more favourable position by having
lower heating and electricity bills, staying more comfortable and safe during unexpected
blackouts, increasing house’s resale value and ultimately bringing benefits to one’s health. Not
only are these types of homes beneficial for their owners but also for the environment. From
the viewpoint of the energy system, energy-efficient houses can actively help the power
system by demanding less electricity from the grid in times of its shortage as well as
supplying this valuable commodity into the system and thus helping it once it is needed.
• Consume Less Energy from the Grid: Get an energy assessment done for your house to see the
areas you can possibly cut down on your consumption and build up your energy score. There are
numerous ways to save energy and consume less from the grid.
• Energy Smart Landscaping: Smart landscaping design can not only make your home energy
efficient in terms of heating and cooling, increasing your energy score but can also look great and
add beauty to your home.
• Replace Windows with Modern, Efficient Double Glazing: Another way
to up your score is by investing in solid double glazing for your windows and
doors that are more modern and efficient.
• Wall Insulation: Both loft and wall insulation can reduce your energy bills and
help in lowering your consumption, especially in the case of older homes that are
not constructed in an energy-efficient manner. This is a good way to boost your
score and renew your home to be more energy-efficient.
• Smart Devices: Every modern home buyer these days is looking for smart homes
which ease their lives and reduce their carbon footprint. Smart devices detect the usage
of power and turn them when not in use. Humans may forget but they don’t, and who
doesn’t want them in their house? A smart home will only increase in demand and a good
way to increase your home value.