As the annual observance of Consumer Month draws to a close, I hope people will not forget information on wise energy consumption, as stressed in this year’s theme, “Sapat na Impormasyon: Susi sa Wastong Paggamit ng Enerhiya” (sufficient information is key to wise energy use).”

Warnings of possible energy shortages in the hot months next year have been issued. But the coming holiday season may further strain power resources as people consume more energy.

But you can be wise; if you are buying new Christmas lights, get LED types. Make sure they have Import Commodity Certification stickers, which the Department of Trade and Industry gives only to products that pass the Bureau of Product Standards and have met Philippine and international or foreign standards.

Diane MacEachern, in an article published by the website care2.com site, offers tips on when to turn regular lights on and off to save energy, not just during the holidays but every day.

MacEachern, a best-selling author and award-winning entrepreneur with a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and the Environment, says: “Bulbs relying on old-fashioned technology use a lot more energy than newer models like LEDs (light-emitting diodes). If you have a mix of bulbs, know which ones are more energy-consuming.”

It is obvious you have to turn off the lights at home when you will be away for a long period; but if you are leaving your desk or room for just a few minutes, whether or not you should turn the light off depends on the bulb.

Incandescent light, which MacEachern says is the “least efficient,” should definitely be turned off. She says: “Incandescents give off more heat than light. In fact, 90 percent of the energy they use is emitted as heat.” Turning them off will help make a room cooler.

Halogen lights should be turned off. While “somewhat more efficient than incandescents,” MacEachern says, “they use the same technology and are far less energy efficient than LEDs or CFLs (compact fluorescent lamp), the most efficient lights available.”

CFLs, which may use 75 percent less energy than incandescents and last 10 times as long, may be left on for about 15 minutes or less. MacEachern says, “Unlike incandescents, CFLs are more affected by the number of times they are switched on and off, so extend the life of the bulb by switching it on and off less frequently. The US Department of Energy recommends that, if you will be out of a room for 15 minutes or less, leave it on. If you’ll be gone longer than 15 minutes, turn it off.”

LEDs, “the most energy-efficient bulbs available,” may be turned off every time you leave a room. MacEachern says, “Neither their performance nor their life span is affected by turning them on or off… LEDs turn on at full brightness almost instantly and with no delay.”

Not so magical

Incidentally, I asked the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) about the “magic” coffee that supposedly helped reduce energy consumption and lowered electric bills significantly. Joe Zaldarriaga of Meralco says, upon testing by the company’s power laboratory, it was found that coffee mix sachets had “no effect on savings generated.”

He adds that reported reductions in energy consumption may be the result of better appliances and efficient use of energy.

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