Meralco urges conservation this summer

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has asked its customers to use electricity wisely during the hot months since consumption levels usually rise during this period.

Meralco vice president for corporate communication Elpi Cuna "the hot summer months usually raise the consumption levels of our customers," Cuna said.

Cuna said simple but often neglected energy saving tips are a big help in lowering electricity use most especially in households.

"Very simple tips such as using compact fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulb, doing your ironing at one time and opening refrigerators only when needed will, in one way or the other, help a household save electricity," Cuna said.

The Meralco official said appliances will operate more efficiently and use less energy when it is in good working order.

The power service provider official also said that since the summer months are vacation time for schoolchildren appliance usage is also expected to go up.

"We also advise our customers to make sure that their household appliances are well maintained in order to cope with the expected increase in its usage," Cuna stated.

Some appliances known to use up a lot of electricity during summer include air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, electric fans, water pumps and entertainment appliances like TV’s and computers among other appliances.

To guide consumers on electricity usage, Meralco has also installed the Meralco Appliance Calculator or MAC at leading appliance stores.

The MAC is a computer-aided device that computes the consumption amount of common household appliances like television sets, air conditioners, computers, refrigerators, etc.