LankaBuzz

Friends,
I fully endorse what Dr. Jagath V has mentioned below.
I consider the only major sensible thing done by Chandrika (who virtually devastated the whole country during her tenor as President), to be the adjusting of time, to save “DAYTIME”, thereby reducing electrical energy consumption.
Dr. Vasanthathilaka has enumerated below some of the issues which need immediate attention and thorough analysis, before embarking on a “Stupid” venture.
Saving “Half hour” of Daytime is at least, a saving of 6 % to 12 % to the consumer of electricity and some saving for Ceylon Electricity Board, because it is incurring a loss of Rs. 45 Millions daily.
Please scrutinize the calculations I have given below and figure out each of you, what is the increase in your “Electricity Bill”, if the “Envisaged” change is implemented.

In an “Average” house in an urban area there may be ” Seven Lights” being used daily, regularly.
Assume the following.
1 ) For Kitchen, Toilet and Pantry - 25 Watt Bulbs
2 ) For 2 Bed rooms — 40 Watt Bulbs
3 ) For Sitting room and Dining room — 60 Watt Bulbs

Suppose “Cooking” starts at 5 am and the light is on from 5 am to 6.30 am, ( 1.5 Hrs.)
the amount of energy consumed = 25 X 1.5 = 37.5 (Kitchen )

Assume Pantry and Toilet lights are on from 5.30 am to 6.30 am. ( 1 Hr.)

Energy consumed = 25 x 2 x 1 = 50

Two bed room lights are on for 0.5 Hr.

Energy consumed = 40 x 2 x 0.5 = 40

In the morning total “Energy” consumed = 37.5 + 50 + 40 = 127.5

Suppose in the evening if the lights are switched on at 7 pm

Assume Kitchen and Pantry lights are switched on by 7 pm and off by 9.30 pm ( 2.5 Hrs. )

Energy consumed = 25 x 2 x 2.5 = 125

Assume Toilet light is on for 1 Hr.

Energy consumed = 25 x 1 = 25

Assume bed room lights are on for 2 Hrs. each

Energy consumed = 40 x 2 x 2 = 160

Assume Dinning Room and Sitting Room lights are on for 3 Hrs. each

Energy consumed = 60 x 2 x 3 = 360

Total energy consumed in the evening = 125 + 25 + 160 + 360 = 670

Total per day = 127.5 + 670 = 797.5

With ” RE-ADJUSTING OF TIME ”

In the morning, Lights are switched on by 5 am and switched off by 6 am.

Kitchen, Energy consumed = 25 x 1 = 25

Pantry and Toilet, Energy consumed = 25 x 2 x 1 = 50 ( Lights on for 1 Hr.)

Bed Rooms, Energy consumed = 40 x 2 x 0.5 = 40 ( Lights on for 0.5 Hrs. )

Total energy consumed in the morning = 25 + 50 + 40 = 115

In the evening, lights are switched on by 6.30 pm.

Kitchen and Pantry lights are on for 2.5 Hrs.

Energy consumed = 25 x 2 x 2.5 = 112.5

Bed Rooms, lights are on for 2.5 Hrs. each

Energy consumed = 40 x 2 x 2.5 = 200

Toilet, Energy consumed = 25 x 1.5 = 37.5 ( Light on for 1.5 Hr. )

Sitting Room and Dining room, lights are on for 3.5 Hrs. each

Energy consumed = 60 x 2 x 3.5 = 420

Total energy consumed in the evening = 112.5 + 200 + 37.5 + 420 = 770

Total energy consumed = 115 + 770 = 885

Increase in energy consumption = 885 -797.5 = 87.5

Percentage increase = 87.5 x 100 = 11 % ( Approx. )
797.5

Please note that the energy consumed by TV is high but it has been ignored because all houses do not possess TV’s. Also Fans have been ignored.

In the villages the electrical consumption is much less, which means the increase may not be felt.

Reliable sources have informed me that the increase in CEB Loss, may range from 1.5 % to 2.5 %.

Considering 2 % increase in “Loss”,

Additional loss to CEB = 45 x 2 = 0.9 Million ( Assume 1 Million )
100
For 1 year additonal loss = 1 x 365 = 365 Million.

I have performed some simple arithmetic and shown, the “unwanted loss”, which is considerable in the long run.
Those who are really interested can follow the simple pattern of calculations, indicated above, and figure out the best way to reduce Energy Consumption.

SUGGESTIONS TO CEB

Purchase 10 million worth of “Energy Saving Bulbs” and distribute these freely among consumers.

Suppose this reduces the CEB Loss per day from Rs. 45 Million to Rs. 40 Million, which means a saving of Rs. 5 Million a day, which is “SUBSTANTIAL.”

CEB Engineers can give serious consideration to what I have suggested after working out the Cost / Benefit
Ratio.
The Prudent Consumers can evaluate the “Energy Consumption ” by performing the simple calculations and cut the Electricity Bill by using “Energy Saving Bulbs”

Ananda

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From Dr. Jagath

Dear Sir / Madam

Sri Lanka is planning to put back its clocks by half an hour in order to revert to the earlier time zone of having the same standard time as in India after using this schedule for 10 years, which was introduced in 1996 in order to save daytime, there by planned to improve the productivity and efficiency in all activities related to the general public.

Putting the clock back in half an hour is not going to help a generally lazy nation like that of Sri Lanka very much. Now, of course people wake up early and start working early in the morning and finish their work very early before it is too dark, in order to go back home and attend their family responsibilities. This was beneficial for the work place, transport services as well as for the family.

Most of the employed individuals are using the public transport in order to go back home early; unlike in the city of Colombo, the public transport facilities are scanty and grossly inadequate in all most all the other cities, towards the evening. Even in Colombo, it is difficult to catch a bus when it is dark. Presently the employees are used to the currently existing working hours for a decade or so without interruption.

Unlike in the year 1996, the technological advances used nowadays that is in the year 2006 are extensive and widespread, and the use of computers presently in each and every field would make it difficult to readjust the new time changes without loss of productivity and efficiency.

Unless we advance the office working hours from present time starting from 9 AM to 5PM, to that of 8Am to 4 PM, and the school hours from that of 8AM to 2PM to that of 7.30 AM to 1.30 PM as it was the case earlier in our time tables in the schools, changing the time in the clock alone will not have any advantage to the nation. Some institutions like the hospitals which now start at 8 AM and finish at 4PM may have to be rescheduled to 7AM to 3PM. The shops could be opened at 8.30 AM according to the planned new time adjustment.

All our pets are working according to their internal clocks; the pets will find it extremely hard to readjust to the new working hours unless the working hours of the human beings (Masters) also readjusted according to the new clock. That is not only applicable to our pets, most of us who are punctual at work, function according to our internal clocks. We, as human beings would also find it difficult to adjust to the new clock, unless there are simultaneous changes in all other fields of activities in the working environment. Computers and technological adjustments would also be extremely difficult unless we plan all these changes meticulously. Most of us are highly dependent on technological advances nowadays. Savings on energy and electricity is another factor needs attention when we consider the productivity as well as the costs and the benefits.

Advancing or delaying the clock alone is not going to serve any purpose unless this process is accompanied with simultaneous and parrallal readjustment of working hours in different institutions. Presently, all the children are used to wake up early and go to school early. If the schools start late there is no added advantage for the children by new time adjustments. The time they spend with the parents at home is an essential part of their personality and mental development when we consider a growing child. There are many aspects which need extensive planning ad careful attention prior to implementing any changes to the standard time used in our country.

Thanking You

Dr V. W. Jagath

These days most companies now have water dispensers in their offices. They are easy, and cheap. You canget iced water or hot water and 5 gallon of water will cost around Rs150 to Rs250. The question is how clean is this water ?

These water cans if we call it that, are reused. Once a company that uses these has empties they may keep it out till all dust an dirt collects. Then after a week the water copmany comes by collects the empty can and replaces with a new, refilled water can.

When this was refilled, was it cleaned ? Are they following all the health and safety regulation ? Who knows?

Some time a ago, a small test was done. The water from one of these was taken to a testing facility and they found out it was not safe to drink. What happened next I’m not sure but that company still sells it’s water without a problem.

In order to be get certain required certifications for example the company has to be within all the required limits, but one place we found out was doing their bottling in an area which had their workers floor toilet ajoiing the building. According to standard bottling regulations this is strictly prohibited but they have been certified. Somebody made some money to fool us into drinking toilet water.

If you work in a company and a given water from these places it would be best to advise the company to do random checks on the water they provide you. It doesn’t cost a lot to get the water tested and atleast you know you are drinking safe water, and not contamiated toilet water.