How to save on energy costs

Of what good are the TV set, the refrigerator, the microwave oven, the air-conditioner and all the other household appliances if we are not to use them? Today's electricity rates have been shooting up to staggering levels. It has now become nearly prohibitive to use even the most innocuous electrical gadgets.

But, no, energy conservation doesn't mean never using anything that runs on electrical power. It means using them, but wisely and only when necessary.

A modestly equipped household spends around 10-thousand pesos a year on electricity. Then there's the cooking cost to add, which is usually on LPG because it's more economical. For car owners, expenditures on automotive fuel could exceed the cost of household electricity and cooking gas combined.

Considering today's skyrocketing fuel costs, conserving energy has become imperative. The following simple energy-saving measures are certain to make a remarkable difference in our cost of living and quality of life:

House Lights. Turn off unnecessary lights. Prefer fluorescent bulbs; they give more light over incandescent bulbs of the same wattage. Clean light bulbs regularly; collected dirt can cut down illumination by as much as 50 percent.

Television. Schedule TV viewing when more family members can watch programs together, and keep it switched off at other times. Make sure that your TV set is in good condition; a defective unit, no matter how slight the problem, uses more electricity to function.

Refrigerator. Place the refrigerator in the coolest spot of the room, away from the morning and afternoon sun. Cool foods to room temperature first and remove wrappings before storing them in the ref. Arrange stored foods to ensure proper circulation of air inside. Overcrowding as well as putting hot and wrapped foods inside can cause the cooling mechanism to work harder in order to maintain the right coldness.

Regularly defrost the ref to prevent the accumulation of frost which acts as an insulating blanket, hence causing the motor to work overtime and consume more electricity. Also, avoid frequently opening the ref and check the ref door gaskets for possible leaks. Most importantly, make sure the thermostat is working so that the ref shuts off automatically when the interior temperature is at the proper level.

Electric Fan. As much as possible, set the electric fan at "low" and use only in areas where there are no windows. And shut it off when not needed.

Air-conditioner. Position the air-conditioning unit at the coolest side of the room. Have blinds, curtains, shades or draperies to block direct sunlight. Use the air-conditioner sparingly; opening the windows on cloudy days can provide much better air. Check the thermostat setting and make sure it's working. Keep doors of air-conditioned rooms always closed.

Electric Flat Iron. Iron clothes in volume. When damping clothes prior to ironing, make sure that the moisture is just right. Excessively damp clothes eat up more electricity. Disconnect towards the last two pieces in the batch; the iron is still hot enough to finish the work. If possible, switch to charcoal-type iron every once in a while. The little inconvenience is certainly worth the savings in electricity.

Car. Have a regular tune-up. A clean system improves the car's mileage without a corresponding increase in fuel consumption. Go for regular fuel instead of premium; the slight quality difference is not necessary for most cars. Slowing down also helps cut down fuel cost. Cars drive most efficiently at around 100 kilometers an hour. In cities, where most cars are, there's not even need to drive that fast.

Household appliances and other motorized equipment must be maintained at their best working condition always. A defective piece of machinery can be both dangerous and costly. Energy conservation does not require waiving all rights to modern conveniences. All it requires is some sense of good judgment in our use of these.

In the light of today's very high electricity and gas prices, our ideal attitude towards all energy-consuming devices may as well be: "When not necessary, don't use; when not in use, turn off." It is sure to reduce not only our energy bills but also our exposure to electromagnetic radiation from every running electrical device. What can be wiser than that?