These days when many Filipinos are working from home, they are able to save money on transportation and eating out. Parents can also spend more quality time with their loved ones since you need not have to go through the stressful experience of taking public transportation. Unfortunately, this trend in way of life can spike up your electricity bill. The dry season or most commonly known to us as the summer season is a period when electricity consumption rises. Of course, we have to do our share in keeping the electricity bill at bay. Here are some tips on how to conserve electricity this season.
Unplug all gadgets and appliances when not in use
It is a fact that any plugged electrical appliance and gadgets can still consume electricity even when they are not in use. Standby electricity loss is associated with idle electronics. Unplug them even when you are not using them to save as much as 15% on your electricity consumption.
Change the light bulbs
There are still many homes and establishments that use incandescent bulbs. Invest in LED bulbs. LED bulbs are more cost-efficient than traditional light bulbs. You can save up to 85% compared with incandescent bulbs, and up to 20% compared with a compact fluorescent lamp.
Inspect for air gaps
With the continued rise in environmental temperature, more individuals would prefer to stay indoors with air-conditioners turned on. Electricity cost increases when your house has air gaps or areas where air can escape. Check for open windows, door gaps, or even where the air-conditioners are installed. Seal these gaps and make sure that your home is well-insulated. If your units are turned on, be sure to close the doors and windows to keep the cool temperature inside.
Paint your walls
Dark-colored walls are great and this can make your room look elegant and sophisticated. However, this means that you have to turn on your room lights. Change your wall color to lighter ones as these colors can reflect natural light. As such, you will refrain from turning on your lights. It is also recommended to add wall mirrors to reflect more natural light. In addition to these, mirrors can create a visually larger space. Framed posters with light colors are also recommended to reflect light.
Insulate the ceiling or roof
If you are working during the daytime, the temperature may rise up to >40 degrees Celsius during summer or dry season. As such, your electricity consumption may likewise increase. It takes more electricity to keep your indoor cool especially when the roof is not properly insulated. Let experts fix the insulation or else the heat may end up trapped inside your home.
Invest in cost-efficient home and office equipment
Most cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors are already phased-out. Visit an appliance store and you will see that the trend these days are LED monitors. These devices consume less energy than CRT monitors. You may also want to choose laptops instead of desktop computers as the former consumes less energy than the latter.
Appliances should be kept clean
Dirt tends to accumulate over time. As a result, these appliances consume more energy and add up to an extra 10% to your electricity consumption. Minimize your electricity bill by making sure that these appliances are cleaned properly to save electricity and also to avoid any damages to these appliances.
