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When it comes to electricity, the little things you do matter.
Save money by using electricity efficiently. With these easy,
yet useful tips
that allow you to lower your consumption and in turn, lower
your electric bill.
 
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Lighting
- Use natural light whenever possible.
- Turn off lights when not in use.
- Use compact fluorescent lights (CFL) instead of incandescent
bulbs. A 16-watt CFL produces the same light as a 60-watt
incandescent bulb at a quarter of the energy cost.
- Clean bulbs regularly. Dirt lessens illumination by as
much as 50%. Use low wattage light bulbs in areas that do
not need strong lighting such as hallways, foyers and doorways.
- Use lamps that provide direct lighting over desks, beds
and other work areas. Using them saves energy instead of
the higher wattage lighting used to illuminate the whole
room.
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Refrigerator
- Give it room to breathe. Place refrigerators at least
4 inches away from the wall so as not to overwork the motor.
- Clean condenser coils. The coils at the back remove heat.
- Clean it twice a year using a vacuum cleaner or broom.
- Check door gaskets. Make sure refrigerator doors are
sealed tightly to prevent cold air from escaping.
- Defrost regularly. Defrost before frost builds up
 to
1/4 inch to keep refrigerator running efficiently.
- When buying new refrigerators, be sure to purchase energy
efficient models.
- Look for units with the highest Energy Efficient Factor
(EEF). It is more efficient and costs less to operate.
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Cooking
- Plan ahead. Prepare all ingredients before cooking to
avoid frequent switching of electric stove.
- Thaw frozen food thoroughly before cooking. Match pots
and pans to stove element. Avoid using a big burner for
a small pan to lessen heat transfer loss.
- Cover pots and pans. Cover pots with lids to prevent
heat from escaping.
- Use flat-bottomed pots and pans when using electric stove.
They provide faster heat transfer.
- Switch off. Turn off the electric stove during the last
minutes of cooking. The remaining heat will make the food
simmer.
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Washing Machines
- Wash or dry full loads to maximize use of washing machines
and clothes dryer.
- Do not over-wash clothes. Delicate clothes do not take
as long as dirty work clothes.
- Keep the lint filter of clothes dryer clean. A dirty
filter restricts air flow.
- Don't overload your dryer.
- Hang clothes to dry on sunny days.
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Ironing
- Do all ironing at one time.
- Iron during cooler hours of the day. This helps lessen
the demand for electricity during peak hours.
- Dampen clothes moderately. Excessive moistened clothes
take longer to iron.
- Switch off the electric iron in the last few minutes
of ironing. The remaining heat will be enough to press the
last few pieces of clothing.
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Other Appliances
- Unplug all electronics when not in use. If a transformer
or voltage regulator is used, unplug it from the outlet
and turn it off. Transformers consume more electricity when
it heats up.
- Appliances will operate more efficiently and use less
energy when they are in good working order. Keep them well-maintained.
- When using electric fans, lock the oscillator when fan
is needed in one direction only, thus, air is blown directly
where needed.
- Clean fan blades and motor regularly to keep it running
efficiently.
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