Tips on how to save electricity

Just like everything else, the cost of electricity is rising and even with all the hypes and talks of investigating companies involved in distributing electricity, consumers like us can only wait for the outcome of this controversy. Hopefully, after all the grandstanding and mudslinging of the involved parties, the upshot will be a lower cost of electricity that can be enjoyed by all consumers. However, we can also do our share in conserving energy and lowering our electricity consumption.

The Meralco website listed ways to reduce your electrical usage and lessen your electric bill thus spending some money. Here are the electricitips of Meralco:

Lighting
• Use natural light whenever possible.
• Turn off lights when not in use.
• Use compact fluorescent lights (CFL) instead of incandescent bulbs. A 16-watt CFL produces the same light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb at a quarter of the energy cost.
• Clean bulbs regularly. Dirt lessens illumination by as much as 50%. Use low wattage light bulbs in areas that do not need strong lighting such as hallways, foyers and doorways.
• Use lamps that provide direct lighting over desks, beds and other work areas. Using them saves energy instead of the higher wattage lighting used to illuminate the whole room.

Refrigerator
• Give it room to breathe. Place refrigerators at least 4 inches away from the wall so as not to overwork the motor.
• Clean condenser coils. The coils at the back remove heat.
• Clean it twice a year using a vacuum cleaner or broom.
• Check door gaskets. Make sure refrigerator doors are sealed tightly to prevent cold air from escaping.
• Defrost regularly. Defrost before frost builds up to 1/4 inch to keep refrigerator running efficiently.
• When buying new refrigerators, be sure to purchase energy efficient models.
• Look for units with the highest Energy Efficient Factor (EEF). It is more efficient and costs less to operate.

Cooking
• Plan ahead. Prepare all ingredients before cooking to avoid frequent switching of electric stove.
• Thaw frozen food thoroughly before cooking. Match pots and pans to stove element. Avoid using a big burner for a small pan to lessen heat transfer loss.
• Cover pots and pans. Cover pots with lids to prevent heat from escaping.
• Use flat-bottomed pots and pans when using electric stove. They provide faster heat transfer.
• Switch off. Turn off the electric stove during the last minutes of cooking. The remaining heat will make the food simmer.

Washing Machines
• Wash or dry full loads to maximize use of washing machines and clothes dryer.
• Do not over-wash clothes. Delicate clothes do not take as long as dirty work clothes.
• Keep the lint filter of clothes dryer clean. A dirty filter restricts air flow.
• Don't overload your dryer.
• Hang clothes to dry on sunny days.

Ironing
• Do all ironing at one time.
• Iron during cooler hours of the day. This helps lessen the demand for electricity during peak hours.
• Dampen clothes moderately. Excessive moistened clothes take longer to iron.
• Switch off the electric iron in the last few minutes of ironing. The remaining heat will be enough to press the last few pieces of clothing.

Other Appliances
• Unplug all electronics when not in use. If a transformer or voltage regulator is used, unplug it from the outlet and turn it off. Transformers consume more electricity when it heats up.
• Appliances will operate more efficiently and use less energy when they are in good working order. Keep them well-maintained.
• When using electric fans, lock the oscillator when fan is needed in one direction only, thus, air is blown directly where needed.
• Clean fan blades and motor regularly to keep it running efficiently.