Air conditioner

· Install the device in an airy location, with good circulation.

· Avoid areas exposed to sunlight and keep the filters clean to prevent the equipment from being overworked.

· Avoid excessive cold, keeping the temperature at around 23 degrees.

· Remember: the colder it gets, the more energy is being used.

· Keep doors and windows closed to avoid the cold air escaping.

Computer

· During prolonged pauses, turn the device completely off, including the stabilizer.

· For desktops, every time there is a pause in work, turn the screen off and, if possible, configure it to turn off automatically after a period of inactivity. 

Fridge and Freezer

· The fridge is one of the devices that uses the most energy in a home. This is why you should always opt for models with the Procel A seal, which are more economical.

· Avoid opening and closing the device’s door constantly.

· Do not dry clothes behind the fridge.

· As well as overloading the device, this increases energy consumption.

· Always check the state of the rubber seals.

· Always leave a space between the fridge and the wall, to prevent the device from overheating.

· Defrost the fridge periodically.

· Defrosting is essential to avoid increaed energy demand.

· Do not store hot food in the fridge.

· Do not cover the internal shelves with glass or plastic, as this blocks the internal circulation of cold air.
 

Electric Shower

· Quite often, this is the device that uses the most energy in a home. That is why you should keep it in summer mode whenever possible.

· Remember to close the tap while lathering up and to clean the water outlet frequently.

· Try to turn the shower on when the majority of other devices is off so as not to overload the electrical grid.

· Never change the summer/winter mode on your shower while it’s on. The shock can be fatal.

· Each shower must have an independent circuit breaker, straight from the meter.

· If you have two showers, install two circuit breakers suited to each of their power outputs.

· Never reuse a burnt resistor. In addition to increasing consumption, it puts your safety at risk.

Electric Iron

· The device can represent up to 7% of your electricity invoice. That is why you should accumulate as many clothes as possible before ironing. This way, you use the energy more efficiently and make savings on your bill.

· Use the iron at the correct temperature for each fabric and start by working on heavier clothes.

· Set the temperature on automatic irons.

· You should iron clothes that require less heat first.

· After turning the iron off, use the remaining heat to iron light clothes.

Lighting

· Swap halogen or fluorescent bulbs for LED ones, which are more economical: by replacing a 100W incandescent bulb with a 32W fluorescent one you save around 60% in electricity.

· Avoid turning lights on during the day, opening windows to take maximum advantage of natural light.

· When leaving a room, always turn the lights off.

· Choose light paint colours for ceilings and internal walls: they reflect light better, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Television

· The device can represent, on average, up to 15% of your total invoice. That is why you shouldn’t leave it on when nobody is watching.

· Avoid sleeping with the TV on or programme the device to turn itself off automatically.

· It is important to remember the TV uses up energy even when off. In this case, it is better to unplug it when you are not watching TV.

Washing machine

· Try to wash as many clothes as possible in one go.

· Always keep the machine’s filter clean so you can avoid repeating the “rinse” function.

· Choose devices with the Procel seal or Inmetro grade A.

Lightning prevention

· Disconnect electronic devices from plugs and avoid turning electric equipment on.

· Avoid having showers or using electric taps during stormy periods.

· Avoid contact with objects that have metallic structures - such as ovens, wire fences, pipes and metal tubes and, especially, telephone and electric cables - particularly if your house is in open spaces.

· Avoid being near tractors, agricultural machinery, motorcycles, carts, etc.

· Avoid places such as open fields, pastures, swimming pools, lakes, beaches, isolated trees, posts and other elevated locations.

· If possible, stay indoors at home for the duration of the storm.

Tips for your home

· Use plug socket covers, especially if there are children in the house.

· To avoid shocks, do not operate electric devices with wet hands.

· Do not touch plugs with metallic objects such as clips and hairpins, nor the inside of devices that use electricity.

· Only clean electric equipment after unplugging them.

· Sensitive electronic equipment such as computers require voltage stabilizers.

· Do not connect several devices to the same plug and try to avoid using adaptors.

· Before turning electric devices on, check if your voltage is in accordance with the one provided by the concessionaire.

· Bare wires can cause shocks, short-circuits and sometimes fires.

· Putting wires under rugs or behind curtains can also cause fires.

· If tree branches are too close to electric cables it is dangerous to prune them without supervision.

· To avoid accidents, the right thing to do is to call Enel to handle the pruning.

· Before switching a lightbulb, do not trust just turning the light switch off; turn off the master switch and illuminate the area well with a torch or candle. In addition, always hold bulbs by the glass and never touch the metallic parts of the bulb or socket.

· When installing a TV antenna on the roof, be careful that it does not touch any electric cables, which could cause severe shocks.

· To avoid accidents, it is better to call a professional to take care of the installation.

Tips about construction

· Building a house near or under the electrical grid is not allowed: if the electric cabling goes over the land where you intend to build, get more information from the Customer Service Centre about how to proceed.

· When moving metal rods, pipes, wires, rails, lamp posts, ladders and other metallic objects, be careful not to touch the cables.

· Never leave bare wires unattended.

· This puts the life of your family and your pets at risk.

· Turn the master switch off every time you do any repairs to your home’s electrical installations and hire a qualified professional to undertake the work.

· When plastering or painting walls, be careful: if there are electrical wires around, never approach them.

· Respect danger warnings.

· Never climb posts or transmission towers.

Beware kites!

· Never fly a kite near electric cables, the shock can be fatal.

· Never use metallic wires or laminated paper to make the kite, they are conductors of power and can cause fatal shocks;

· Do not use cerol. In addition to the risk of injury or even killing, the material often cuts the high and low voltage wires. Remember that the use of cerol is prohibited and constitutes a great risk to people. It can cause serious accidents with cyclists and motorcyclists;
 

Loose wires

· Never touch fallen energy cables on the street. If you find one, contact Enel so we can arrange its removal.