Davao Light and Power Company

Once in control of energy usage, you can be in a better position to manage your monthly bill.

Energy Saving Tips!

 

Electric Range

When operating an electric oven, attempt to cook as much of the meal as possible in the oven. Foods with different cooking temperatures can often be cooked simultaneously at one temperature – variations of 25 degrees in either direction still produce good results and save energy.

Match the cooking container size to the range's surface unit. Use a small amount of water and tight fitting lids. Control heat.

Fry pans, toasters and similar small appliances cook well and use less electricity than your range - use them for small meals.

Plan oven use wisely because each time the oven is used the entire cavity is heated. Cooking "oven meals" takes advantage of all the energy used.

 

Refrigerators

Cool food to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator/freezer. Placing warm food in it raises the temperature inside, thereby, increasing power consumption.

Place the refrigerator/freezer far enough from the stove or range so that it will not be affected by the heat generated from the cooking. Install it where air can circulate freely around.

Defrost your refrigerators/freezers regularly. Frost acts as an insulating blanket which causes the motor to work overtime resulting in increased power consumption.

Clean periodically the compressor units and condenser coils at the back or bottom of the unit.

Overcrowding your refrigerator/freezer may interfere with air circulation and overworks the compressor.

Avoid leaving the refrigerator/freezer door open longer than necessary.

Check the gaskets around the refrigerator/freezer door. Adjust the door or replace the gasket if there are leaks. To check the door for air leaks, close the door on paper money. If you can slide the money out easily, you need to replace the gasket.

When buying a refrigerator/freezer, remember that a frost-free model needs more energy than a standard model.

 

Cooking

When cooking, use lids on your pots and pans and, as soon as it boils, turn heat control to low using enough to maintain boiling temperature.

Use flat bottom pans with light covers. Flat bottom pans minimize heat transfer losses.

Match the size of the pan to the heating element. Thus, more heat will get the pan and less will be lost to surrounding air.

Cut time on cooking rice by washing the rice and adding the right amount of water 2 or 3 hours before cooking time. By the time you’ll cook it, the rice grains have softened.

Monitor high-wattage cooking appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, etc. A deep fryer draws more wattage than some room air-conditioners do. A toaster consumes twice as much power as an automatic washing machine.

Clean regularly the rubber tube of the LPG stove to avoid gas leaks. Rats and mice tend to nibble those greasy particles that have splattered on the tube while cooking and they may consequently bite into the rubber.

Thaw frozen foods thoroughly before cooking unless instructions are to the contrary.

If you cook with electricity, get in the habit of turning off the burners or oven several minutes before the allotted cooking time. The heating element will say how long it takes to finish the cooking for you without using more electricity.

When using the oven, make the most of the heat from that single source. Try to plan oven meals to accommodate more than one dish at a time. Avoid oven peeping. Heat is wasted with each peep.

 

Electric Ironing

Use your electric iron efficiently. A hand iron consumes more power than a colored television set.

It is more comfortable to do the hot job in the morning when it’s cooler. It also avoids peak demand hours for electricity.

Avoid heating the iron for just one piece of clothing to be pressed. It wastes the heat accumulated in the iron.

When you are almost through ironing a pile of clothes, unplug the iron. There will be enough stored heat in the iron to press the few remaining items.

Lightning Facilities

 

Light-zone your home. Concentrate lighting in reading and working areas and where it is needed the most for safety (e.g. stairways). Reduce lighting in other areas, but avoid very sharp contrasts.

Save on lighting energy through decorating. Light colors for walls, rugs, draperies and upholstery reflect light and therefore reduce the amount of artificial light required.

Clean lamps or bulbs regularly. Dirt diminishes illumination by as much as 50 percent. A clean dry cloth should easily accomplish the job.

Gas discharge lamps (e.g. mercury, fluorescent or sodium) are more efficient that incandescent lamps.

Turn off the lights in any room not being used.

 

TV and Electric Fan

Turn off the fan and TV set when not in use. When set as off, unplug it when transformers are used.

Keep in mind that running several sets at the same time multiplies your entertainment cost.

If comfortable enough, set the fan at "low."

When the fan is needed in one direction only, lock the oscillator. This way, air is blown directly where it is needed.

Keep appliances in good working condition so that they will last longer, work more efficiently and use less energy.

 

Airconditioning Units

Locate your air-conditioner in the coolest side of the room. The best is usually the northern side, away from the morning and afternoon sun.

Set your thermostat at a setting not cooler than normal when you turn your air-conditioner on. It will not cool faster. It will cool at a lower temperature than you need and use more energy.

Check your filters at least once a month. When the filters are dirty, the fan has to run longer to move the same amount of air, and this takes more electricity.

Use a fan with your window air-conditioner to spread the cooled air farther without greatly increasing your power use. However, be sure the air-conditioner is strong enough to help cool the additional space.

Placing lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat could cause the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary.

Check the doors and windows of air-conditioned rooms for leaks. Drape the windows with heavy materials or use blinds or shades to keep warm air and direct sunlight out of the window. It will remove disturbing glare and reduce sun’s heat input into a room by up to 80 percent.

Keep doors closed at all times. Minimize the traffic of people going in and out too often.

Turn off your window air-conditioners when you leave a room for several hours.

 

Washing Machine

For clothes with less dirt, wash only for 10 minutes or less.

Try to wash less often. Save articles of the same type for one washing.

For heavily stained or soiled areas, wet and apply detergent on the said area and scrub. This will lessen washing time.