Setsuden - Energy Saving - is on everyone's mind these days in Japan. Messages calling for the cooperation of people and businesses in restricting their use of energy were put out throughout Western Japan, as can be appreciated in this BLOG.
Saving energy will be a big issue this summer when the demand is usually high, exceeding Tepco's current supply capacity. A positive effect of the electricity shortage affecting Western Japan in the early weeks of the Fukushima crisis was that we found that when we start paying attention, we can actually do a lot to save energy without really feeling too much discomfort. The fact that we can go on less is proof that we are prone to excess whenever we can.
Now we’re starting to have doubts about having opted for Inax’ Satis Toilet with the heated seat and the washing options… Electric toilets apparently account for 3.9% of household electricity consumption! But we’ll use the low-flush option and set the seat heater at the lowest level and only during the coldest months. Keeping the lid down also helps maintain the seat warm, or so I've read. We’re also wondering whether we really need a dishwasher… It might help that we plan to run it only with full loads, and only on days when the mess seems unmanageable. And definitely at non-peak hours.
Here’s a few of the non-structural actions we took when planning the house to save energy and natural resources:
* Selecting a smaller bathtub
* Using a washing machine pump to reuse bath water
* Opting for an energy-efficient gas water heater - Eco Jozu
* Foregoing a clothes drier
Granted, with this last choice we’ll be totally stuck during the rainy season. But we've done without one for 20 years, so we'll just have to resort to the laundromat if need be.
We're also hoping to reduce standby power using Panasonic’s Komame Switch こまめにスイッチ. This gadget allows to cut the electrical current without unplugging the appliance. The cost is very reasonable, at approx. 500 yen per unit. We’re planning on getting this for all air conditioners, and for the kitchen workstation that includes the oven, the rice cooker, the toaster and the bread maker. Wherever possible we will also use extension cords with on/off switches.
There are countless other ways to cut down on energy and waste. One meaningful step is to buy used, or to buy only when the previous item or appliance has broken down. It is often cheaper to buy new than to repair, which is really a big problem for the eco-conscious.
Also, aside from your municipal recycle shop, and the occasional local Flea Market where you can get amazing deals, there are also a number of groups specifically- but not exclusively- targeting foreigners living in Japan who wish to buy, give away or sell. Here are 4 groups that have been around for a while and which I find extremely useful. Got a great bread maker for free through one of these!
The French Group was particularly active following the triple crises which motivated so many expatriates to leave the country before the end of their term. Forced to empty their apartment in a rush, they often sold their belongings at very interesting prices.
And still on the subject of energy, we’re still debating whether it would make sense to get a car in a country where cycling is so popular, and where public transportation is so efficient and reliable. We need to think about this because we’ll have to make some landscaping decisions pretty soon. If we do get a car, wouldn’t it be so cool to get one of those neat pop-up garages that are the latest rage in the UK?
Just dreaming of course, since these devices are far from energy-conscious, requiring plenty of power to lower and raise the car from underground. Plus the exorbitant price tag of approx. 5.5 million yen is a little bit of a put-off. Back to reality now.
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