DOE urges public to conserve energy to make PH more competitive

”All of these energy conservation tips are not only intended to lower our electric bills or reduce power production. We prefer to be energy efficient to be competitive in business and to be competitive with other countries,” said DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella. (Photo: Department of Energy/ Facebook)

MANILA–The Department of Energy (DOE) assures the public of adequate power during the summer months and reminded the public to follow energy saving tips to reduce their power consumption.

”All of these energy conservation tips are not only intended to lower our electric bills or reduce power production. We prefer to be energy efficient to be competitive in business and to be competitive with other countries,” said DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella.

Fuentebella said lowering the cost of monthly electric bills is only part of the benefit of practicing energy efficiency. The bigger benefit is being competitive in terms of growth and industrialization.

For an average household, a savings of PHP150 per month translates to PHP1,800 per year –the equivalent of a sack of rice or additional funds for other household necessities like food, medicines, books or transportation.

The DOE stands by its policy of seeing things from the perspective of the consumer which is why it constantly reminds the public of demand-side management practices that will ultimately benefit the consumers themselves.

Summer is synonymous with extended use of air-conditioning and cooling.

Setting the air-conditioning to 25 degrees already makes a room comfortable and results to lower power consumption. It is also ideal to get an air-conditioner best suited for the size of a room or area it is intended for. Shades or blinds also help to keep away sunshine which causes heat to build up in a room.

Another tip is ironing clothes in large batches at least once a week. An iron uses up more energy as it heats up in preparation for optimum temperature. Ironing clothes needed for the week eliminates the need for repeatedly heating up the flat iron aside from lowering electricity consumption.

Unplug appliances when they are not in use. When an appliance is plugged in, it still uses a “phantom load” which may not be much but, if prolonged, will still add to the monthly bill.

Aside from households, the DOE circulates energy conservation tips to government offices and other establishments which consume high loads.