Metro Manila, Philippines – From households to commercial and industrial customers, power distributor Meralco is encouraging everyone to do their part to efficiently use energy as the company manages the impact of heightened demand due to the dry season and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on electricity rates.
Even as Meralco implemented a modest rate reduction of P0.0151 per kWh this May, the distribution utility reminded customers that higher consumption can still trigger an increase in power bills.
“While overall electricity rates have gone down, the dry season is typically marked by higher consumption, especially from cooling appliances, which can still drive bills upward. By being more mindful of their power consumption and observing energy efficiency, customers can take better control of their electricity bills,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.
Since March, Meralco has been actively working with the government and energy industry stakeholders to manage the twin challenges of higher demand during the dry season and the impact of the Middle East crisis on the power industry, particularly on supply and rates.
“We want to ensure an adequate supply of power and manage price volatility as responsibly as possible,” shared Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.
“It would also help if we’re mindful of our electricity consumption as the war in the Middle East continues. We import much of the fuel used to generate power–we can all help to have enough power to get through the next few weeks if we conserve power,” he added.
Still, the effects of the dry season usually raise consumers’ electricity bills. It is now up to the households and businesses to focus on what they can control – to use energy in this tumultuous period efficiently.
- Plug out “vampire” devices
There are some electronic devices that we usually leave plugged in without second thought. These can be electric fans, TVs, and gaming devices not being used. Our wired internet connection can also be a vampire device if they’re still plugged in when we leave the house. Be wary of these so they do not drain energy and add to your electricity bill.
- Switch to LED
Replace your incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) with LED lights and lamps. While they cost more, you save 87% on energy costs vs. incandescent bulbs; and 50% vs CFLs. LEDs also last five times longer.
- Use your air-conditioning unit and electric fan to save energy
A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that hybrid cooling—or using an electric fan along with an air conditioner set at a slightly higher temperature—reduces energy consumption by over 30% without sacrificing comfort. Set your air conditioner to 25 degrees Celsius ºC, then turn on a ceiling, stand, or desk fan to circulate the indoor air.
- Don’t overfill the refrigerators
A refrigerator operates at peak efficiency when optimally filled. Keep the refrigerator full to at least two-thirds capacity. Do not overload to allow for proper air circulation of the cool air inside.
- Optimize use of washing machine
Maximize the operation of your washing machine by washing at full to near-full loads. Refrain from overloading the washing machine as it will reduce the cleaning action and water circulation. Do not also over wash clothes by following the appropriate washing machine settings for the type of fabric vis-à-vis load.
- Choose the right size of rice cooker.
Find the right cooker size according to your household needs. An oversized rice cooker would consume more energy than a properly sized rice cooker.
For offices, keep in mind that maximizing employee productivity should be the priority in determining the right temperature.
- Clean your electric fan and AC
If you feel your electric fan and AC unit are not doing its job, they might have already accumulated dirt. Make sure to have them clean and your will feel the cool breeze in no time.
Based on Meralco Power Lab tests done on a 1.0 window-type aircon at mid setting on for 8 hours/night, an unclean HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) filter will cost you an additional P351 per month. Apart from unnecessary spend from added electricity usage, a clean air filter will also extend your HVAC system’s lifespan, reduce your carbon footprint, and prevent sudden repairs.
- Schedule the AC system
For offices, schedule the AC system to automatically shut down when employees are expected to leave the workplace. Adjust the operation of common area lights, appliances, and more according to your production and/or office schedule.
This can also be applied to homes to survive steamy nights during bedtime. Kazuyo Tsuzuki, a professor of environmental engineering and sleep expert at Kansai University in Osaka Prefecture, shared that people who kept the AC on for four hours slept better than those who turned it off after 1.5 hours
- Move energy-intensive chores and operations to off-peak hours
According to Meralco, the peak hours are between 8 am and 9 pm, Monday to Saturday; and between 6 pm and 8 pm on Sunday. This means the off-peak hours, when everyone else is on a break are from 9 pm to 8 am Monday to Saturday; and midnight until 6 pm and 8 pm to 11:59 pm on Sundays.
For industrial businesses, plants require less electricity to operate during off-peak hours, resulting in lower overall costs required to generate electricity. They can also apply for Meralco’s Peak/Off-Peak (POP) alternative pricing scheme that it offers to its high-consumption customers who currently or can easily shift most of their electricity usage during off-peak hours, when generation charges are significantly cheaper due to lowered demand.
- Find the right temperature for your equipment
Do your research on the right temperature for your equipment. Being energy-efficient does not mean compromising your devices by letting them overheat. In industrial settings, larger machines must be allowed to release heat via exhaust. Cooling towers are also essential in managing heat to avoid costlier repairs.
- Maximize efficiency with the right appliances
Apart from controlling the time of usage and determining the temperature needed for your equipment to function properly, you can also be intentional in purchasing the energy-efficient appliances. In the case of air conditioning, the right horsepower matters depending on the room size that requires cooling.
An AC with 0.5 horsepower (HP) can cool a 6-11 sqm room; 0.75 HP – 12-17 sqm; 1 HP – 18-22 sqm; 1.5 HP – 23-27 HP; 2HP – 28-40 sqm; and 2.5 HP – 41-54 sqm. Simply put, make sure the appliance you are using is tailor-fit to the environment. Follow these energy efficiency tips so you get your money’s worth from the power you consume. Get every member of your family or every personnel in your workplace on board with mitigating the impact on your household or your company’s electricity bill.
