Issue No. 23
19 December 2014
Energy-saving quick wins for the coming year
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s the year draws to a close, people are hoping for 2015 to flourish in various areas, including financial aspect.
For the ordinary Juans and Juanas, this means working harder and saving more. Luxury wishes will be put in the backburner, credit cards will be frozen, and people will avoid money wastage through the most effective and simplest things that can go a long way—things like saving electricity. Nothing beats the classic, so here are a handful of energy-saving tips that might help you fatten up that piggy bank in the coming year:
Pull that plug. Lowering your electricity bill just by hitting the OFF button is pretty much an urban legend by now. Electronics continue to consume energy as long as they are plugged in, giving you leaking electricity or “vampire power”. Based on the studies of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), unplugging can help you save up to P300 per month.
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LED the way. Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs managed to save a lot of people from becoming Scrooges last Christmas—after all, who wants to shut down all those colorful lights? In the coming months, replace all your incandescent bulbs with LEDs. They come in all shapes and sizes, are about 80% more efficient, and last 25 times much longer.
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Let nature help. Maximize daylight! Install skylights in working areas and make sure your reading nooks are placed near windows. Not only you are saving your pocket from being drained, you are also giving your body a dose of Vitamin D! During cool afternoons, switch off air conditioners or electric fans and enjoy the soothing breeze instead.
Do bi-weekly washing and ironing. Limit clotheswashing from once to twice a week only; opt to wash in full load than in small batches. When ironing clothes, start with lighter fabrics like cotton and end with heavier fabrics like denim.
Sources:
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http://www.meralco.com.ph/brightideas/ http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/lighting.html
Published by the Knowledge Management and Information Service (KMIS) 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.