efficient use of energy (cpc)

8/8/2019 Efficient Use of Energy (CPC)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/efficient-use-of-energy-cpc 1/17

EFFICIENT USEOF ENERGY:

CONSUMER RIGHTSAND RESPONSIBILITY

PRESENTED

BY

BARR.EMMANUEL ATAGUBA

CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL

3 RD AUGUST 2010



Background

The Consumer Protection Council is the apex consumer protectionagency of the Federal Government of Nigeria responsible for protectingthe rights of consumers of all goods and services in the country.

The Council was established by Act No. 66 of 1999, when itsconstitutional frame work was put in place. It is empowered to, among

from the market, enforce quality standards, pursue increased publicconsumer awareness, ensure that consumers ‘ interests receiveconsideration at the appropriate forum]; cause offenders tocompensate consumers , promote compliance to standards andRegulations among professional associations,, trade, industry,etc, issue guidelines to manufacturers, importers, dealers and

wholesaler, and encourage the formation of voluntary consumer group(s) or associations for the overall benefit and well being of consumers



Our Vision

To be a dynamic, effective and responsible

apex consumer protection agency of theFederal Government of Nigeria, championing

achieve caring and sufficiently consumerfriendly community



Our Mission

Committed to protect and enhance

consumer‘s interest through information,education and enforcement of appropriate

promote an environment of air and ethicaltrade and practices



Our Mandate

Providing speedy redress to consumers against obnoxious

practices or the unscrupulous exploitation of consumers bycompanies, firms, trade associations or individuals.

Organising and undertaking activities that will lead toincreased consumer awareness;

Encouraging the adoption of the measures that will ensure thatproducts are of high standards and safe for foreseeableuse; and

Ensuring that consumers’ interest receive due consideration

at appropriate forum/ fora.



Consumer Rights andResponsibility

It is very pertinent that this all -important guests who invariablyare consumers of products or services to be well sensitised ontheir rights and responsibilities especially as it concerns energyefficiency. To say that we all consume products or services everyday at home, work place, market, on the road, in the air etc, is tosay the obvious.

,well as consumer responsibilities should be treated with all senseof seriousness.

There were four consumer rights enunciated by JF Kennedy inabout 1962 and later in 1985 the UN Assembly came up with fourmore rights thus, bringing the rights to eight. These rights areuniversal and must be promoted and protected by Government ofall nations. More so, consumers are supposed to be very muchaware of them since they have a stake in the promotion andprotection. These rights cut across all products and services.



Consumer Rights andResponsibility 2

THE RIGHT TO CONSUMER EDUCATION: Acquisition of skillsto be an informed consumer through out life;

THE RIGHT TO CONSUMER REPRESENTATION: Advocacy ofconsumers’ interest and ability to take part in the formulation ofeconomic and other policies affecting consumers, i.e the right tobe head;

THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT: Habitation is aplace that is safe for present and future generations and whichwill enhance the quality of their lives.

Consumers are expected to be knowledgeable, responsible,proactive, alert, and assertive. This is because total consumer

protection is a collective effort. Its actualization demandscollective inputs from not just manufacturers/ service providersand government, but also of the consumers. The consumer alsohas responsibility to:



Consumer Rights andResponsibility 3

BEWARE: Be alert to the quality and safety of goods and services beforepurchase;

BE AWARE: Gather all the information and facts available about a product orservice as well as keep abreast of changes and innovations in the market;

THINK INDEPENDENTLY: Make decisions about well- considered needs andwants;

SPEAK OUT: Inform manufacturers and government of needs and expectations; : n orm us nesses an ot er consumers n a r an onest manner

about dissatisfaction and satisfaction with a product or service; BE AN ETHICAL CONSUMER: Be fair and never engage in dishonest practices,

which cost all consumers money; RESPECT ENVIRONMENT: AVOID WASTE, LITTERING AND

CONTRIBUTION TO POLLUTION. It is hoped that as consumers becomeaware of their rights and responsibilities and report any un-remediedinfringement to the Council, the dynamics of a free market economy will betriggered off to generate a better, sustainable, thriving and growing economy inthe nation. Such would remove wasteful expenditures; reduce poverty as valuefor money gets assured.



Efficient Use Of Energy:

Consumers Responsibilities

With this background , it is quite obvious that consumers of theenergy products and services have a very big role to play if wemust achieve energy efficiency in this nation. Energy in thiscontest refers to electricity consumption. There is no gain sayingthat without electricity there will be little or no meaningfuldevelopment in any community, State or nation. It is also a

short supply of electricity. However, unfortunately, the little that isbeing generated is wasted due to various factors such as lack ofconsumer awareness on how to consume wisely, substandardelectrical appliances/equipment, heavy consumption capacityequipment, etc. If the consumer is aware of how to consume

wisely and what products to go for in order to consume lessenergy, greater percentage of the wastage will be reduced andefficiency achieved.,



Efficient Use Of Energy:Consumers Responsibilities 2Suffice it to say that:

“ Electricity cost is a regular component of yourmonthly budget. When it comes to electricity, thelittle things that you do matter.

Here are easy yet useful tips on how you can loweryour consumption and, consequently, you includechoosing energy efficient appliances, ways on how

to efficiently use appliances, and proper cleaningand maintenance of the unit….. you have the powerover your electric bill” MERALDCO: Consumer Tips



Efficient Use Of Energy: ConsumersResponsibilities 3

An ethical consumer will consume with future

in mind, consider other consumers and whateffect his /her consumption will have on theenvironment. This also affects selection of

electrical appliances that will consume lessenergy thus money can be saved. Accordingto U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

“Energy- efficient improvements not onlymake your home more comfortable, they canyield long- term financial rewards.”



Efficient Use Of Energy:

Consumers Responsibilities 4

Therefore, the following useful tips can be applied in selecting

some electrical appliances for efficient use of energy: Keep your appliances well maintained. They operate more

efficiently and use less energy when in good working order.

Use compact florescent light lamps with the energy efficiency

Switch off lights when not in use as this can save up to 20percent of your electric bill;

Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°f ;

Wash full loads of cloths and dishes instead of small quantity yet

consuming the same amount of energy that would have servedgreat quantity and reduce frequency of such wasteful washing.



Efficient Use of Energy:


Look for the energy efficiency label on home appliances and products before youbuy

When shopping for appliances, you can think of two price tags. The down paymentprice. Think of it as a down payment. That second price tag is the cost of operatingthe appliance during its lifetime. You will be paying on that second price tag everymonth with your money for the next 10 to 20 years , depending on the appliance.Refrigerators last for an average of 20 years if well handled, room air conditionersand dishwashers about 10years and washers about 14 years. If they are heavy

,

through out the life span of the appliance! Note that TVs and DVD players in standby mode still use several watts of power Turn off your computer when not in use Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle Buy electrical equipment that are really needed and not just bogus , large

equipments that can consume much energy, occupy space which may be too much

for the family size Keep your refrigerator/ freezers full. They work more efficiently than when empty or

have less things to cool or chill, you can fill cans with water or plastic containers andpack it in to full ,this can still keep your items cool even when you switch off or thereis power failure as in Nigeria



Efficient Use of Energy:


Change your too old electrical appliances especially when they start givingproblems as they consume more energy than necessary

Ironing typically takes several hours to accomplish and uses up as much energyas ten 100-watt light bulbs. Aside from the appliance’s wattage rating, thenumber of hours it is being used also affects electricity cost. There are simpleways on how to shorten ironing time and electricity consumption.

Iron large batches of clothing at one time to avoid wasting energy and reheating

Dampen clothes moderately. Excessively moisture clothes take longer to iron ,thus consuming much energy; Set the temperature appropriately according to your fabrics and start with fabrics

that require low temperature to reduce warm up time and then work up to thoserequiring higher heat

Use the natural drying process where necessary and save energy and cost

Avoid putting very hot food in your freezer/refrigerator , allow it to cool for about20minutes to reduce much consumption of energy in cooling the item

Cover liquids and foods stored in the freezer/ refrigerator to avoid release ofmoisture , which puts pressure on the compressor



Consumer Alerts

Read labels,

Ask questions when and where you are not clear from yoursupplier of product or services,

Buy products from guinea dealers, avoid roadside, street vendedelectrical appliance as you can not find your seller when there is

.

Be alert to know when certain products are banned by theGovernment.

Do not install appliances you are not competent to do in order toavoid hazards.

Complain to CPC when you can not get redress if your right isinfringed upon.



Conclusion

In conclusion, there is general consumer ignorance on a lot of

consumer issues, their rights, responsibilities and how tocomplain and get redress on goods and services. Sensitization,empowerment and enhancing consumer welfare is therefore acollective cause and can effectively be realized throughartnershi s of which this worksho is in line with. If this ver

respected stake- holders – consumers , manufactures,distributors , dealers, ,associations, NGOs, companies etc cango home with the messages of today and let the change startwith us a tremendous positive chain- effect will be noticed in ourhomes, offices, schools, communities and our nation at large and

consumers will save a lot of money for other needs.

efficient use of energy (cpc)

Documents