Issue No. 16
August 07, 2013
Save energy, save Mother Earth
F
ew people realize that low energy bill means less energy consumed. It also means less damaging emissions are released into the environment. Related to this, increasing the energy efficiency means consuming less energy and saving Mother Earth in the long run. As a little help to Mother Earth, you can cut your energy use at home and also on the road. Every amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere is everyone’s responsibility. There are practical solutions to save energy that you can do. Here are some ways to cut down your expenses and reduce energy consumption: •
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Assess your home energy consumption. Conduct a simple home energy assessment by doing it yourself (DIY). Check the insulation in your exterior walls, ceilings, and floors. Check for air leaks around your windows, doors, light, plumbing fixtures, and electric outlets. Make sure your appliances are properly maintained. Seek help from people who know about energy audit. Choose efficient transportation option. People buy cars because they want to avoid the hassle of commuting but sometimes people have to think of the bigger picture. More cars on the road mean more carbon dioxide emissions. Public transportation can be one of your options. If you can combine errands, do it. If your errand is just a short-distance away, choose to ride a bike or just walk. If you really can’t avoid using your car, drive gently, accelerate slowly, and break mildly so you don’t necessarily use more fuel and in return help your car last longer.
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Invest in green roofs. This type of roof can manage storm water and enjoy rooftop open space. It also provides insulation that lowers the need for heating and cooling, and can reduce the urban heat island effect.
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Plant more trees. This is one of the basic environmental acts. Trees clean the air, provide oxygen, fight greenhouse effect, and conserve energy. Strategically-planted trees can help decrease your heating and cooling expenses.
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Use your doors and windows wisely. Stop wasting energy. Open your windows during daytime to let in warming sunlight; close your curtains and shades at night time. These little efforts will help conserve energy by preventing heat loss.
Source: http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/06/f2/energy_savers.pdf
Published by the Trade and Industry Information Center (TIIC) for the DTI ENERCON Management Team in support of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. If you have Enercon tips to share, other suggestions or requested topics, please e-mail us at publications@dti.gov.ph.