Rainy season is here and everyone is expecting that there will no longer be price hike for the electric bill. But it seems that there is no stopping from electric cooperative companies from increasing the cost. Despite the rising cost of all utilities, we should know how to be frugal and save in our own little way. The only key to achieve it is discipline and determination.
In our home, I always remind the kids and will continue to do so until it is embedded in their system. I get anxious everytime I see the envelope of our electric bill because I don't want to shell that much money on this alone. We have other bills to pay and I have to budget our funds properly.
So how do I effectively maintain our electric consumption over the years? Here are some ways of doing it:
- Use natural light source whenever you can at daytime. Open the windows, draw the curtains, and open the blinds.
- Wear appropriate clothing. The kids usually wear loose clothes so they won't feel hot despite not switching AC on.
- Switch off all appliances and light when not in use. The kids knows this but, there are times that they need to be reminded also.
- Unplug all appliances when not in use. It is known that appliances, consume also energy whenever they are plugged. It may be cumbersome but will definitely save you electricity cost in doing it.
- Schedule the use of high energy consuming appliances like iron. You may do it twice a week if time permits so as to save electric cost.
- Shift light bulbs to LED. It is known to save more cost at electricity because LED bulbs uses less power.
- Shift appliances to Inverter type. This may be an expensive move, but it will definitely be beneficial to you in the long run. Inverter type of appliances saves more electricity significantly.
- Make use of Solar energy by installing Solar Panels. This is our project for the year but I've heard of good feedbacks about how they were able to cut cost in their electric consumption. Also, it serves as emergency generator whenever the power is off. But, this will entail a huge amount of your fund but always a benefit in the long run.
- Do not switch off refrigerator at night. This may sound really crazy but I somehow grew up thinking that this could cut down cost. But according to some experts, this just really makes life more difficult in so many ways. One, you will have perished food, and two whenever you switch off the refrigerator at night and turn it back on, it will need again a huge amount of energy switching it back on. Better to invest in Inverter type and regulate to the right amount of temperature. For more info, see this link from Telegraph UK.
That's all. If you have additional inputs, please leave them in the comment section down below.
Please note that this tips are based from the country where I live in, Philippines. This may not work for those who live in countries with winter season.
