A decade ago, Japan may not have won many points in terms of energy conservation —and today it's the nation with the fifth-highest level of energy consumption in the world. But since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, the growing consciousness of energy usage has played a much more significant role in the discussions and daily lives of those living in Japan. Why shouldn't it be? Often the best environmental solutions have long-serving financial payoffs too, especially when it comes to lowering your household utility bills. 

While an individual's actions may feel tiny in comparison to the population as a whole, but as the ideology goes: It's better for thousands of people to do what they can to conserve energy imperfectly than for a select few to do it perfectly. Here are a few ideas to help you out on your energy-conservation mission.   

Kotatsu

Sometimes the best solution to a problem are the simplest ones. In Japan it doesn’t get much more simple and classic than the kotatsu. The kotatsu is a typically low table fringed with a futon or some other type of thick, snuggly blanket. It comes with a heat source (these days usually electric) built in the underside of the table itself. 

The early incarnations of the kotatsu were created during the fourteenth-century Muromachi period, and to this day it’s a typical winter staple for those wanting to save money and electricity during the frigid winter months. Many of Japan’s older houses and apartments aren’t heavily insulated, which means two things in winter: 1)  chewing through electricity and drying out your skin by pumping your AC's heat function, or 2) freezing (unless you have a kotatsu, this is). 

Given their size and their reliance on futon blankets to trap the heat, they’re incredibly energy and money efficient if you’re willing to embrace the tableside life. Some people even sleep underneath them in winter. You can pick up a kotatsu from a variety of lifestyle and homeware stores.

A high-tech fan

When the Japanese summer starts to get unbearably humid, most folks turn straight to the AC for a little relief. For all the points, most Japanese air conditioners win in terms of comfort and ease. They often lose out in the energy efficiency and budget-friendly departments, however. Plus many AC units in Japan tend to dry out the air which can leave you with a bit of a sore throat. The best option for avoiding this is by getting a fan good enough that you can switch out for the AC most of the time. 

There are obviously hundreds of different fans out there, but it's worth noting this rather slick Corp. F-CR339 model by Panasonic. It features a DC motor, which is said to cut back power consumption. It also has a 'goodnight mode' for sleeping and a temperature sensor which adjusts automatically, which means less wasted energy if you forget to switch it off. 

LED light bulbs

Back in 2017, The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced a campaign to encourage households to switch out their energy-burning regular lights for more environmentally sustainable LED ones. If Tokyo residents brought two or more of their incandescent bulbs to their local home appliance store, they’d receive an LED light for free. 

This campaign may still be running in your local home appliance store, but even if it’s not, it’s a move worth making as it will save your bank account and the environment in the long run. On the whole, LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent lights, so it’s a no brainer. 
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Smart power strips 

Power strips are an easy one to overlook, but once you get them, there’s no turning back. Those long power boards with the tentacle-like cords plugged in seem innocuous at first, especially if all the devices they’re juicing up are turned off. 

But don’t be fooled, the dormant power board is an energy-sapping leech, even if your appliances aren’t in action, the boards are still often feeding them dribbles of energy — which all adds up. Getting a smart power board which you can cut off all energy use at the flick of a switch is just a tiny adjustment you can make that will offer long term, bigger picture solutions. You can find smart power boards at most lifestyle and electronic stores.   

Low-flow water showerhead

Want to cut back on the water bills without sacrificing water pressure? Then consider investing in a water-reducing showerhead. The team at Amane have produced a showerhead that can reduce water consumption by 24% in a low water pressure shower; and up to 35% in a home with a high water-pressure rate. The showerheads are designed to fit Japanese bathroom fittings and were all made in Japan, so finding one to suit your bathroom shouldn’t be too difficult.  

Solar panels

For those getting serious about their energy consumption, then solar panels are the ultimate energy-friendly addition to your home. Japan is still one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to buying solar panels, but company Trende is trying to change that. 

As we covered in a piece earlier this year, this solar-panel startup was established in 2017, and since then they’ve been offering free installation, free maintenance, savings of 10–20% on energy bills, and full ownership of your panels after the contract ends. 

If you’re having concerns about whether your house is suitable for solar panels, the general rule is that your rooftop should be big enough to fit 16 door-sized panels, and in an ideal world, it should face south. That said, the folks at Trende are happy to make adjustments on a case-by-case basis. For more information, check out our chat with Trende Chairman Jeffrey Char. 

By Lucy Dayman 

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