6 Ways to Cut Your Meralco Bill in Half

Many of our household appliances including refrigerators and air conditioners are energy guzzlers. It is essential that you know how to use and maintain your appliances properly so that you won’t waste money and energy.

Check out which appliances you should look into and apply these practical energy-saving hacks so you can lower your electricity bill this summer.

1. Refrigerator

Your refrigerator is one of the largest energy consumer appliances in your home. As such, everyone in the family should be more energy-conscious when using it.

The general rule of thumb when buying a refrigerator is to buy the right size for your need. But if your ref is too large because you either got it for a low price or it’s a pamana, you need to make sure that the ref is filled with just the right amount of content to reduce the amount of energy to keep things cold. On the other hand, too much storage will not allow the cooled air to circulate properly, which will signal the ref to use more energy to generate cold air.

Want to further decrease your electric bill? Simply move your refrigerator an inch or two away from the wall so as not to overwork the motor and let it have more room for ventilation. Similarly, don’t place your ref near the stove or direct sunlight. This can reduce its power usage by up to 40%.

In addition, defrost your unit once a week or if there is more than ¼ of an inch of ice in the freezer to improve its efficiency.

2. Air conditioner

Your air conditioner is one of the most costly appliances in your home when not used responsibly. Before turning the air conditioner on, make sure that all the doors and windows are closed and check for corners and vents that would cause the cooled air to seep out of the room.

Running an efficient air conditioner requires cleaning the filter once or twice a week. Dirty filters restrict airflow and can cause your air con to run longer, which increases energy use. For further maintenance, you should clean the condenser and evaporator every six months.

3. Clothes dryer

Since it is summer, it makes sense to take advantage of the sunny weather. Instead of using your dryer, air-dry your clothes instead.

If you have to use the clothes dryer, dry at full load but be careful not to overload your machine. Dryers have specific load sizes and overloading it may cause damage to its parts. Furthermore, overloading will not properly dry your clothes and will only get them more wrinkled.

Make sure to also dry similar types of clothes together. Lightweight clothes, for example, dry more quickly than cotton towels.

4. Lighting fixtures

Make use of the sunlight during daytime. Open your curtains and let the warm sunshine in to brighten your home. If you want a more private setting, you can use light-colored curtains. Moreover, switch on the lights only when it’s necessary and in areas that need illumination. If no one’s in a room, turn off the lights.

It is also important to clean your lighting fixtures regularly. A dirty compact fluorescent lamp or CFL bulb makes your house look dim and wastes energy. A simple dusting can make your CFLs shine brighter.

5. Electric fans

Use the fan instead of an air conditioner if you and your family can bear it. Not only are electric fans more energy efficient, but it is also more affordable. Clean the fan blades and the motor housing frequently to ensure that the electric fan runs smoothly.

6. Television

Do you really need to watch television the entire summer? Why not spend the time outside by yourself, with a significant other, or with a group of friends?

But if you really plan to catch up on your favorite television series, make sure you turn it off completely and unplug as well when done. And don’t be that person who tends to leave the TV on in the background while they are doing other things.

Be a smart homeowner

All appliances in your home that run on electricity generate heat when you are using them. As such, make it a practice to turn appliances off and unplug them when not in use. By turning off these appliances, you reduce the heat circulating in your home, and most importantly, lower your energy consumption.

Make sure to get all your family members or housemates on board with the habit of being smart in their energy usage. This practice will help save you money, contribute to a greener and cleaner environment, and be safe at home.