Summer is considered the peak season for consuming electricity at home. Aside from the fact that the hot months usually raise the consumption levels of customers due to the use of air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, electric fans, it is also a vacation time for schoolchildren. Thus, entertainment appliances like TVs and computers go up.

Because of these factors, consumers expect higher power bills during summer. But what they do not expect is that they will get an even bigger electricity bill starting March, after power retailer Manila Electric Co.’s, or Meralco, generation charge surged by almost P0.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWH) because of a spike in the average price on the wholesale electricity spot market in February.

Meralco said its March generation charge jumped to P4.3998 per kWh, up P0.1939 from P4.1946 per kWh in February. Customers consuming 50 kWh will, therefore, see their March electricity bills up by P10, those using 70 kWh by P17, and those consuming 100 kWh by P28.

It is during times like this that even little things we do matter. We can save money by using electricity efficiently. There are a number of ways by which we can cut back on electricity consumption and, ultimately, earn savings on our family budget. Here are some:

a) Keep it a habit among your family to always turn off lighting and electrical appliances when not in use.

b) Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they are not in use. Electronic devices make a continuous electrical circuit flow in devices even when unused.

c) 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. Furthermore, use lamps that provide direct lighting over desks, beds and other work areas.

d) Use only energy-efficient devices. Make sure to buy an air conditioner with the energy efficient ratio   label, or a refrigerator with high energy efficient factor. Replace about 25 percent of your lights with compact fluorescent lamps.

e) Maximize electric lighting by painting your room in bright colors. This enhances the distribution of daylight and reflects higher levels of light.

f) Wash and iron clothing in full loads. Air them dry as often as possible, instead of using a spin dryer.

g) Control your air conditioner’s thermostat setting to match your desired temperature. The ideal setting is 25°C, but this may vary if you are in high locations such as Baguio or Tagaytay. Keep the room cool by closing doors and windows. Use curtains or blinds to shut the sun out.

h) If you’re cooking with an electric stove, always use a cover as you let water boil or the food simmer. Prepare all ingredients before cooking to avoid frequent switching of electric stove. You can turn off the burner a few minutes before the allotted cooking time ends to take advantage of the remaining heat. Plan ahead.

i) Thaw frozen food thoroughly before cooking. Match pots and pans to stove elements and avoid using a big burner for a small pan to lessen heat transfer loss.

j) Using two refrigerator units can be costly, so try to do away with the older one. To make sure all contents fit in a single unit, organize your shelves by throwing away unwanted items and by using stackable containers.

k) Always keep the refrigerator door closed and make sure it is sealed airtight.

l) Strategically plant trees, shrubs and vines in a manner that would cut the amount of heat entering through the windows, especially in areas where the sun rises and sets.

m) Make cleaning a habit. Defrost the refrigerator to remove frost buildup and enhance its cooling efficiency. Also, clean the air conditioner’s air filter to reduce additional load on the compressor caused by accumulated dust.

It helps a lot to make a checklist of your home appliances and a record of your average monthly consumption so that you know where to cut back when confronted with too much electrical consumption. Electricity nowadays is considered part of our basic need and it will be hard to survive without making use of it.

If there is a way to save or conserve energy on our homes, let us do it. Using electricity wisely not only helps us get more value for our money, it also helps conserve natural resources and reduces the impact energy use has on the environment.

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Summer is considered the peak season for consuming electricity at home. Aside from the fact that the hot months usually raise the consumption levels of customers due to the use of air conditioners, refrigerators,