How to save on your electric bill

MANILA, Philippines – There is a crisis and the wise and prudent action is to do our part to help. This is an urgent matter and there’s not much time.

Automatic Centre, the appliance authority, puts out a call for positive change, which should begin right in our homes. From as simple as using energy efficiently, to making wise, calculated decision on buying appliances and furniture, we can all do our share not only in conserving energy but cutting our personal electric bills, too.

The experts at Automatic Centre pool together these practical tips to teach us to save on electric consumption.

Air Conditioners

• Taking off at least two hours from aircon usage helps save as much as P1,000 a month or P12,000 a year.

• Cleaning the aircon filter once a month can cut energy consumption from 5 to 15 percent and save up to P600.

• Turning off the aircon at dawn and using an electric fan instead can help save 35 percent approximately P1,400 a month.

• Consider where you install the unit. If you are mounting an air conditioner near the corner of a room look for a unit that can send the airflow in the right direction. Do not position heat-producing appliances, such as television or lamps, near the thermostat because the heat they produce “fools” the thermostat and causes the unit to run longer than necessary.

• Close curtains over large glass areas to prevent up to 16 percent of heat transfer through glass.

• Always look for the EER (energy efficiency ratio) tag. The higher the EER, the more energy efficient the aircon is.

Electric Fan

• It is best to use electric fans in mild summer days because it utilizes 80 percent less energy than aircons.

• Don’t let the bathroom fan run for 10 or 15 minutes. Lighting a match can almost instantly vanish bathroom odor.

• Lock the oscillator when the 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.