Last year, COVID-19 forced us to stay in our homes as a way to stop the spread of the dreaded disease. While waiting for the arrival and distribution of the vaccines against COVID-19, we are still staying inside our homes especially now that there are several new strains that are proven to be more contagious than the original.
With everyone staying inside their homes, electricity bills will likely spike since many of us are still working from home or online schooling.
There are ways on how to save electricity and cut our electric bills:
Use natural light. During the day, open the windows and draw the curtains to let the sunlight in. Take advantage of our tropical climate and let the natural light envelop your home.
Always turn off the lights when going out. By simply turning off the lights and appliances when leaving a room, you are already saving money and reducing your electricity bills.
Change to LED bulbs. Light Emitting Diodes (LED) bulbs are more energy efficient compared to other light bulbs because they emit less heat and use less electricity but give off more light.
Do the laundry once a week and air dry clothes. Doing the laundry only once a week and between off peak hours will significantly lower your electric bill as washing machines and dryers use a lot of energy. If available, use your washing machine’s eco mode. This uses less water and energy but can still effectively clean clothes. Air dry clothes instead of using the dryer. The sun’s UV rays have been proven to kill off certain types of germs and bacteria, which is essential in this uncertain period.
Unplug appliances. Did you know that appliances and electronics can still consume electricity even if they are not being used? Anything that is still plugged will still consume electricity including power strips, or extension cords with on and off switches. If there are appliances that you don’t use all the time, unplug these and make it a habit before you leave or sleep.
Do not waste time deciding what to get from refrigerators and freezers. Every time you open the door of your refrigerators and freezers, you are releasing cold air that keeps your food fresh.
Both appliances have to then replace the cold air it emitted.
Turn thermostats up in air-conditioners. Since we’ve been enjoying cooler air the past few days, turn up the temperature of your air-conditioners or use an electric fan instead. Another way to reduce your ACs energy consumption is to clean the filters every three months.
Do not leave computers on Sleep mode. Always shut down computers and laptops. Do not leave these on sleep or standby modes as this will still consumer electricity.
Opt for more sustainable options. Since we live in a tropical country, we have the option of changing to renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. There are companies now that offer affordable solar panels for home use. Plus, solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy, making you feel less guilty about your energy consumption.
These are tiny steps but the end results will speak volumes once you’ve received your
monthly bill. Making the effort to do so will help you save money that can be used somewhere
else. At uncertain times such as now, it is always a good idea to save money any way we can.