Re: energy conservation tips

I used to have the aircon on for 8 hours at night from 9:30pm-5:30am. Now, I have the timer automatically turn it off at 3:30am (6 hours) , and an electric fan automatically turns on naman at the same time using a separate timer. I save about 20%-25% in electricity. Malamig pa rin naman pag gising namin.

Kung pwede nga lang, fan na lang. Kaya lang sobrang init talaga ngayon.

Re: energy conservation tips

Found these sites. Good advice.

http://www.psdn.org.ph/sdvillage.ph/bulletin4.htm
http://www.directenergy.com/EN/Texas/RES/Pages/TIPS/SaveEnergy.aspx
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/

Re: energy conservation tips

use heavy curtains or close the blinds for air conditioned rooms (during the day) - it will help keep the heat out thus eases the burden of the aircon.

Re: energy conservation tips

If you have transformers, unplug them when you are not using the appliance to which the tranny is connected.

Junk all of those high wattage spotlights that used to be the norm for outside lighting. Replace with CFLs.

If your lighting has diffusers, remove them to make lighting more efficient. The cooler lights will also help to preserve them.

Most important I think, set the thermostat of the aircon to the highest comfortable temperature. Some people automatically set the thermostat to the coldest temperature, and then bundle down in blankets. This wastes electricity as the compressor just keeps on going.

My aircon has an electronic thermostat with LED readout. I've set the thermostat to 25 degrees Celsius. I find this temperature comfortable enough and I save a lot of electricity.

Re: energy conservation tips

For people with water pumps:

1. Make sure pressure tank is not water locked (no air inside). Pump will cycle on and off for a few seconds. Drain the water periodically.

2. Set the pressure switch to the lowest possible settings. 20 cut in 40 cut out is the standard settings of these switches. I use 12 cut in and 25 cut out. 12 psi is enough for water to reach my second floor toilet. It also reduces wastage due to leaks. The higher the pressure the stronger the leaks.

3. Make sure check valve after the pump is working or sealing well. Leaking check valve will allow water to flow back to the source and will make the pump run unnecessarily. Pump should stay off when nobody is using water.

Re: energy conservation tips

-don't keep the TV on watching you or the radio listening to you
-shut down those cpu's and laptops if not necessarily in use (kahit gusto mong makabawi sa dsl mo, 24 hrs kang on-line)

Re: energy conservation tips

i found these tips on how to save on your electricity bill from Singapore's National Environment Agency flyer. some have been mentioned before but i think still worth mentioning:

- switch off the computer completely when not in use for long periods (e.g. more than 30 minutes)

- choose energy-efficient light bulbs

- turn electrical appliances off at the power socket when not in use

- pick appliances with the highest energy efficiency rating (EER)

- choose instant water heaters over storage water heaters

- do not overload the refrigerator to allow cold air to circulate freely

- wash with a full load of clothes when using the washing machine

- turn off the air conditioner half an hour earlier using the timer. set the thermostat at 25 deg C

- use a fan instead of an air conditioner

Re: energy conservation tips

;D That's really true.

It's also very important that your fridge is as far away from the stove or oven as possible or any other heat source. Make sure that there is atleast 6 inches of space between the wall the the back of your fridge. This allows cool air to circulate around the back and prevents your compressor from over heating.

One of the things we did was to change all the light bulbs to tube lights. I reduced our electricity bill by atleast 300 pesos.

Re: energy conservation tips

I made an inventory of all those items causing increased in my electricity bills, and look what i found:

1. Water heater (both single-point and multi-point). Teach your kids to mix properly hot and tap water. Most of the time they overheat the mixture and they will always end up adding more tap water.
2. Microwave oven. Avoid costly reheating. Plan cooking properly.
3. Those Industrial fans are power guzzlers. I will switch back to the standard stand-fan.
4. Flat iron. I discouraged my maid to stop ironing house wears.
5. Overnight lights/Perimeter lights. Most of the time, I forget to switch-off before 6am. I changed all to CFL. Am now planning to install photosensor switch.

Re: energy conservation tips

Unplug. unplug. unplug. Phantom loads/phantom electricity is the power that appliances on standby consume. (this explains the magical way that your TV can be switched on with a remote control--that TV is constantly waiting for a signal from the remote to start up.)

After watching TV or using the PC, I unplug from the outlet-- don't just turn off the AVR or extension cord.

Unplug cellphone chargers when you're done charging-- time your charging-- don't leave them overnight.

Buy a thermometer for your ref/freezer-- monitor the best temperature(most ref thermometers have an ideal temp setting) -- adjust your thermostat to match this- I usually run mine on 4-6 only. -- putting it higher will just overwork the compressor = wasting electricity.

For those with multi-point water heaters-- especially for faucets.. if you don't need the hot water anyway, make it a habit to turn the lever (if you're using the lever type faucet) to the cold side-- if you leave it in the center, you'll be drawing some amount of hot water unnecessarily.

next tip?

Re: energy conservation tips

meralco's website offers a lot of tips on how to save on electricity cost...

kindly click on the link to go to their website --> http://www.meralco.com.ph/Consumer/Tips/energy_sav_info.htm

Re: energy conservation tips

Install a solar water heater?

There seem to be several distributors. Any recommendations on brand? Or are they all pretty much the same in terms of cost, performance, reliability?

Re: energy conservation tips

SInce the recession began, business has been slow so I'm more conscious of expenses. In the past 6 months, I've been observing the power consumption in my house. I've already replaced all my lights with CFLs of equivalent wattages and temperatures. Since Manila Water has improved its service I had the pumps removed ( Anyone in need of a 1hp and a 1/4 hp with pressure tank, PM me).

These are the top 10 power-hungry appliances in my house:

Air conditioner, 1 hp Panasonic, electronic thermostat, timer, about 6 hrs /nite
Refrigerator, Kelvinator Frost Free, 14 cuft
Multi-point Water Heater, National 1.8kw used in the morning only
Electric Oven, thermostat controlled, Table model, about 3 x a week
Electric Stove, Northern Hill coil type, used only when there is no LPG
Iron, National about 3 hours, 3 x a week
Washing Machine, 4-5 x a week
3 Electric Fans
24 inch Sony Wega about 6 hours / nite (bed room)
14 inch Sony Wega about 8 hours a day (dining room)

My monthly power bill averages about 4.5 thousand pesos. Starting this month, I will make some MAJOR changes. First to go will be the Ref. It's no longer efficient. I will need to get a Panasonic, Sanyo or a Whirlpool that's semi-automatic and has a higher EER. Preferably 10 or higher.

I've already contracted a plumber to remove the water heater and I'm sending it to a relative who runs a bed and bath in Iloilo. I intend to survive on an immersion water heater that I got for 350 pesos from T Alonzo in Binondo;

The TV sets will have to be replaced with LCDs. It's gonna cost a lot to get the same sizes but with the power consumption going lower by about 40 to 50 percent, that's a lot of savings;

The fully automatic washing machine will stay because a labandera would be more expensive and the washing machine will not steal from me or eat all the food in my ref...

The rest of the stuff I will keep but use as sparingly as possible. The only problem is that when I am not home, people in the house may break the rules.

I've kicked out the relatives too and I won't invite nor entertain at home anymore so I expect to have a lower bill in the next few months. The more people you have in your house, the more costs will rise exponentially. People will always have need for water, food, lights, ventilation, entertainment, clothing and all these require electricity.

I will keep you guys posted of any improvements in my next bill.

Boyd