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Faced with the rising cost of energy in the Philippines, Filipinos are increasingly turning their attention to practical solutions for reducing consumption. This article introduces both simple and effective methods: energy-efficient appliances, smart home technologies, and changes in behavior.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances are an easy way to lessen energy consumption. A good example is an air conditioner: According to Meralco, the country’s largest electric distribution utility, air conditioners, when left on for even a few hours every day, account for 40-50% of household consumption. Meralco also points out that using inverter technology could significantly reduce cooling costs. Inverter air conditioners are more efficient than conventional units and will eliminate excess electricity consumption.
The size of your appliances also matters. A refrigerator too big wastes electricity and a small one makes the appliance’s compressor work harder and gets hotter. Meralco suggests choosing a refrigerator just the right size for your family can help lower your electricity bill.
Smart Home Technologies
Smart home technologies can also play a major role in reducing energy consumption. For instance, by using occupancy sensors, CO2 sensors, and other air quality alarms in building, system control strategies can be optimized. Systems equipped with these devices automatically adjust lighting, heat, and cooling based on occupancy rates or air quality evidence. This will result in higher energy savings.
Changes in Behavior
Behavioral changes can make a significant difference in energy consumption. Simple things like unplugging electrical appliances when not in use can avoid “phantom loading,” the term for power consumed when an appliance that is plugged is switched off. This practice saves an average of P300 a month.
A rule of thumb is to turn your thermostat up or off when leaving home. Typically, a comfortable temperature setting for rooms is around 24 or 25 degrees Celsius. Setting your thermostat in a colder setting than usual when turning your unit on will not help cool your room faster. Based on Meralco Power Lab tests, switching to mid-setting can help you save P991 a month.
The Role of Design
This energy efficiency issue can also be helped by your home’s design. Passive solar design, high-performance building envelopes, and integrated landscape design can help reduce heating, lighting, and cooling loads. For example, with high-performance building envelopes, you can choose walls, roofs, and other assemblies based on long-term insulation, air barriers, and durability.
Also, the color of your walls can make a difference in energy conservation. Light-colored walls reflect more light so they require less supplemental lighting. They absorb less heat than dark-colored walls, thus reducing homes’ need for air-conditioning.
Changes in Behavior
Reducing home energy consumption doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By making smart choices in appliances, utilizing smart home technologies, making simple behavioral changes, and considering energy efficiency in design, Filipinos can significantly reduce energy consumption, save costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.