We’ve all seen a cartoon where it’s summer time and the characters try to fit themselves inside the freezer to escape blazing heat. Whether we admit it or not, most of us had the same fantasy at least once to try cool off during the hottest months of the year. We’d do practically anything to escape the heat’s discomfort; going to the mall, to a beach resort, or to colder provinces, or staying at home with the air conditioner at full blast. The last one proves problematic for a huge chunk of the population since it’s no secret that electricity prices go up during summer time. The reason behind this is that overall energy usage rises because more people are using their electric fans and air conditioners more frequently for longer periods.
Using the air conditioner may be a guilty pleasure for most, and in a tropical country like the Philippines that’s getting hotter summers over the years, it’s proving to be a necessity. Luckily, keeping your electricity bill manageable while preserving your comfort can be done with surprisingly simple energy conservation adjustments.
Energy conservation practices
Unplug any appliances that aren’t in use
Your television isn’t really “turned off” when it’s off because it’s still consuming electricity while plugged in. That goes the same for other appliances that you live plugged in even while not in use like your harmless-looking toaster, microwave, and lamp.
Leak-proof your doors and windows
The cool air from your airconditioner might be going to spaces that you don’t need cooled through cracks or other gaps. Weather-strip, seal, and caulk these leaky doors, windows, and walls to get the most our of your airconditioning.
Close your curtains
If your room is facing the sun during dawn, lowering your blinds, curtains, or drapes helps a lot to keep out the greenhouse effect of its rays.
Replace/clean dirty aircon filters
Dirty filters not only restrict airflow , but it can also cause the system to run longer, causing it to increase energy use. Replace or clean your dirty aircon filter monthly to maximize it.
Use fans in tandem with your aircon
Electric fans use relatively low energy, but also doesn’t offer any cool air. Using it in tandem with your airconditioner helps spread the cool air faster though.
Replace your old aircon with an inverter-type one
Modern airconditioners with inverter engines are more energy efficient, meaning they operate on the same level that suits your needs while using less energy than their older counterparts.
Replace your incandescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs
Light bulbs are one of our most frequently used appliance and it’s the one that we almost always leave on even when not in use. It’s practical to replace incandescne light bulbs with LED light bulbs since the latter is more energy efficient. The former uses more energy to generate heat rather than light. It wouldn’t hurt to spend that energy to something that adds to your comfort instead.
Use solar energy
The sun is at its most intense during summer time. It wouldn’t hurt to use some of those solar energy to generate some much needed cold for your comfort.
