Green Living Column
DOMESTIC CLEANING ROBOTS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
By Wong Ee Lynn
An increasing number of homeowners and consumers have purchased or are considering purchasing robotic vacuum cleaners and floor-cleaning robots. While some may argue that it is greener to do everything by hand, this may not be an option for many people due to time constraints and the unavaibility of domestic help and cleaning agencies. Sometimes vacuuming (instead of sweeping) can also be a necessity for those with allergies or asthma. Taking into consideration the number of people who have already acquired domestic robots or who are planning to get one anyway, what can we do to reduce the energy use of these robots so that they do not use electricity excessively?
1. The most important step in any attempt to live a more environmentally-responsible lifestyle is always to REDUCE. If you have a maid or a cleaning service, or if you have the time to do all your housework on your own and do not need a cleaning robot, don't buy one. If you do buy one, use it only when necessary. Do not feel tempted to run your cleaning robot every day just because you have one. If previously you cleaned your floor only once a week, then you should stick to your routine and operate your cleaning robot only once a week or only when necessary.
2. How do you choose a cleaning robot? Pick a model from a reputable manufacturer. It should come with a warranty and an energy efficiency assurance. Do not purchase cheap cleaning robots of dubious brands as these usually fail to perform well, use excessive electricity and end up breaking down easily. Go online to read user reviews to get a more objective view of particular models. Since good quality robotic vacuums work close to the floor, they need less vacuuming power, such that the suction power rarely exceeds 60W, whilst other systems including conventional vacuums can consume as much as about 300 watts. The better quality robotic vacuum cleaners may also be made of lightweight yet durable plastic, which reduces the energy needed to run it and propel it across the floor. If possible, pick a cleaning robot with a navigation system, as it will clean more thoroughly and systematically. Most conventional cleaning robots have a random cleaning pattern
where they move into a straight line until they bump into a hard surface, after which they will move in the opposite direction. These also clean along walls and furniture by detecting edges and stairs. The cleaning robots with a random cleaning pattern may end up cleaning the same place 2 - 3 times or missing certain areas entirely. A cleaning robot with a navigation system, on the other hand, will map out the room and clean it systematically, usually in a "barcode" or "combing" pattern, which ensures that it does not miss any spots and does not clean and area more than once.
3. Commercials and YouTube videos often show cleaning robots hard at work while you are away or asleep. However, this is not an energy efficient practice. You should be at home and awake but working on something else while the cleaning robot is at work, as it may get stuck on rugs, mats, cables or low furniture. Also, as explained earlier, cleaning robots with a random cleaning pattern may end up cleaning the same place several times or missing certain spots. When this happens, you should switch the robot off, move it to the area you wish it to clean, and start the robot again. You may think that this does not result in the flexibility and time savings you believe a cleaning robot would afford you, but all it takes is a little adjustment. For example, operate your cleaning robot while you are doing the laundry, cooking or working on your computer, so you can keep an eye on your cleaning robot from time to time.
4. Switch off the charger once the battery of your cleaning robot is fully charged. Do not leave the battery on to overcharge. Also, try not to use the docking function where a cleaning robot will automatically go to its charging dock once its battery is low, because it means you will have to leave the charger on the whole time, charging nothing but the air, while your robot is running. Further, try not to use the function which enables your robot to automatically detach itself from its charging dock and resume cleaning once its battery is fully charged. This is because the robot does not know which room it was last in, and will randomly clean the room that it is currently in. At the point the robot detaches itself from its charging dock, the charger is still on and will continue heating the air and wasting electricity. Be efficient, just as you would while sweeping and mopping the floor manually. Follow a routine: Remove rugs, cables and other obstacles
from the floor before you run your cleaning robot, run the robot in each room, empty out the waste bin and clean the air filter and then charge the battery. Once the battery is full, switch off the charger.
5. Your cleaning robot can get snagged in cables and rugs or stuck in railings and under low furniture such as couches. Tidy up the room you want your robot to clean before you switch the robot on. Be within earshot so that you can free your robot if it gets stuck or snagged. This isn't an onerous burden, as it is something one can easily do even while watching television or working on the computer.
6. Remember to read your owner's manual on the maintenance of your cleaning robot. After each vacuuming session, detach the waste bin, air filter and brush for cleaning. This prevents the brush and vacuum vents from becoming clogged up with dust and hair. Just as we need to keep the air filters in our cars and air conditioning units clean to improve efficiency, our cleaning robots could do with cleaner air filters, too. For floor washing or mopping robots, don't forget to clean the mopping pads, water tank and cleaning solution tank after use.
Technology can improve our lives and make things so much more efficient and enjoyable, if we take the correct measures to look after the things we own and use. Like all electrical appliances, a little effort on the owner's part can make cleaning robots so much more efficient and reduce wear-and-tear.
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