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The National Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP) is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's national organization whose mission is to promote energy efficiency through nationally coordinated programs and policies designed to increase the use of energy efficient products, services and practices. NEEP works closely with government ministries, industry, and commerce to help achieve a cleaner environment and a more reliable and affordable energy system. Our goal is to induce lasting structural and behavioral changes in the marketplace, resulting in increased adoption of energy efficient technologies. Better energy-efficiency programs result in consumer savings, reduced energy and water usage, businesses that are more profitable, less pollution, and improved electrical system reliability.
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Air-conditioners are power-hungry, and the older they get the more power they consume. In the summer, at the hottest part of the day, a staggering 70% of all the electricity generated is used by air conditioners, and the power they consume may account for nearly half your annual household electric bill. You can slash your electric bills and make your home more energy-efficient by replacing power-hungry appliances with energy-efficient appliances and by checking the thermostat; overcooling by one degree can increase your energy consumption by 10%. When you buy new appliances, look at how much they will cost to run over their lifetime, not just at their initial purchase and installation costs. Always look for the Energy Star label or ask your retailer about energy efficient products and how they compare.
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Thinking about buying a new vehicle? Selecting which vehicle to purchase may be the most important fuel economy decision you'll make. In addition to the choice of car, how it is maintained and driven drastically affects the fuel economy. There is a huge difference in running costs between a car that uses 5 litres/100 km and one that uses 20 litres/100 km, yet bad habits and driving styles can cost a lot of money; not just in fuel, but also in wear on brakes, tyres, engine, and transmission. Driving a good car may give you a feeling of freedom and independence, but fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic, and accelerating to and from stop lights are for race tracks, not city roads. Fortunately, the same techniques that make for safe driving also save money on fuel, as do correctly inflated tires, well tuned engines, and a regular service schedule.
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Do low energy light bulbs really make a difference?
Between 10% and 20% of annual household electric bills is for lighting. Fitting compact florescent lights can save you more than 66% in lighting costs and pay for themselves within a year. They also last up to 10 times longer than conventional bulbs and produce about 70% less heat. Avoid multi-bulb light fittings; it takes six 25-watt bulbs to produce the equivalent light output of a single 100-watt bulb. The less time you spend with the lights on, the more energy you save; switching off a single 60 watt bulb for one hour a day will save nearly 22,000 watts of energy per year. But by far the easiest way to energy efficiency is to remember to turn off unneeded lights. So next time you leave a room, simply switch the lights off as you leave. It couldn't be easier!
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Natural gas is the nation's fastest-growing energy source.
Unlike other fossil fuels, natural gas is clean burning and emits lower levels of potentially harmful by-products into the air. It provides the energy source or raw material to make a wide range of products such as clothing, carpets, sports equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, as well as being used for chemicals, plastics and fertilizers. Natural gas appliances for the home are also rising in popularity due to their efficiency and cost effectiveness. And it's not just for cooking; natural gas fridges, dryers, and air-conditioners are also available. Although many gas powered appliances are initially more expensive than their electric counterparts, they are commonly much cheaper to operate, have a longer expected life, and require relatively low maintenance.
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Peace and prosperity for our children and grandchildren
depends on conserving our nation's natural resources. Oil has powered phenomenal economic growth in recent years, but it is a finite, non-renewable resource, on which the world has become dependent. Demand continues to increase and more than six billion people are consuming the remaining oil at a rapid and accelerating rate. In recent years the world has increased its demand for oil by over a million barrels per day. New technologies may allow substantially more oil to be extracted from known reserves, so the day the oil actually runs out may be in the distant future, but if we want to preserve some of our natural resources and secure their economic benefits for future generations we must act now. Energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest, and cleanest way to achieve this goal.
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What's good for your pocket and good for the planet?
More and more homeowners and businesses are making environmental friendliness and sustainable homes and buildings their priority. Photovoltaic (PV) power systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. A PV power system on your roof means you can generate some or all of your electricity during the hours when the electric grid is most loaded; especially during our long hot, dry summers. The house remains connected to the electric utility at all times, so in the evenings and at night, you draw your power from the grid. In remote areas and on farms, rechargeable batteries can provide power at night. Those who are putting PV on their homes, businesses, and other buildings are making a difference; for the environment, and for their children.
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Saudi Arabia is one of the world's driest countries,
and is the world's biggest producer of desalinated water. We produce about 3 million cubic metres of potable water every day, but we need much more than that. It takes energy to desalinate seawater, and more energy to pump it through hundreds of miles of pipelines to your taps. It's easy to use a lot less water by doing some simple things around the house such as fixing leaks; a leak of just one drop per second wastes 12,000 litres a year. Fitting water saving taps and shower heads can halve water bills. Anyone in the market for a new clothes washer should consider buying a water-saving frontload washer; Energy Star rated washers use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load. Ask your retailer or plumber about water saving products and how they compare.
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Wind energy is a pollution-free, infinitely sustainable
form of energy for individual, community, and national applications. It doesn't use fuel, doesn't produce greenhouse gasses, and doesn't produce toxic or radioactive waste. The size of wind turbine generators varies widely. Some large commercial sized turbines may have a capacity of 5 megawatts. They are often grouped together into wind farms where the electricity is collected together and sent long distances over high power lines to the national electrical grid. Smaller turbines may have a capacity of less than 100 kilowatts and are often connected to batteries. They are a popular and cost-effective solution for remote areas and can provide sufficient electricity to power small farms, entire schools, as well as homes and businesses.
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