This article is for you if you’re sick of paying excessive electricity bills month after month.
You may or may not realize it, but every time your electricity bill exceeds your budget, you may be losing money. When this happens, reaching your savings objectives may be more difficult or take longer.
It’s crucial to understand what influences your household’s electricity expenditures. We’ll focus on appliances in this article, because some appliances use more energy than others. That energy is measured in kilowatt-hours (KwH), which is used to calculate your electricity bill.
For example, if you want to determine how much energy the air conditioner uses in a month, apply the following formula:
Applying the formula: 1,252 KwH x 6 hours x 30 Days (assuming you use the air conditioner for 6 hours per day) / 1,000 x.75
If your power provider charges around P10.219 per kilowatt-hour, your air conditioner’s 169.02 kilowatt-hour consumption will cost you around P1,727.21 on your electric bill (169.02 kilowatt-hours x P10.219).
Here’s a list of widely used home appliances that could be causing your high power cost, along with recommendations on how to utilize each one effectively to reduce your energy consumption and bill.
1. Air conditioning system (Typical hourly consumption: 600 to 2700 watts)
Air conditioners’ KwH consumption is determined by their horsepower (HP). For example, a 0.5 HP air conditioner will consume roughly 600 watts, whereas a 2.5 HP air conditioner will require approximately 2,700 watts. You might want to choose a unit with the least amount of HP.
Reduce the amount of hours or days you use your air conditioner to reduce its energy use.
Here are a few more methods to save money on air conditioning:
- Set the thermostat to 25C, which is the perfect temperature for a small space. Use the electric fan to help spread the cool air if you’re sharing a room with other family members.
- While the air conditioner is running, make sure all windows and doors are shut to keep the cool air in the room.
- Once a week, clean the filter, and once every six months, clean the condenser and evaporator. This maintenance technique will guarantee that the air flow is unrestricted, allowing the area to cool more quickly.
2. Dryer for clothes (Typical hourly consumption: 4,000 watts)
The clothes dryer is the home’s second most energy-intensive device. So, instead of using a dryer, take use of the summer months to dry your garments outside in the sun.
If you must use the machine to dry your clothes, set it to full load to get the most out of it. It’s also a good habit to place similar sorts of garments in the dryer together so that they dry at the same time.
Refrigerator number three (Typical hourly consumption: 1,000 watts)
Because it is switched on 24 hours a day, the refrigerator is one of the most energy-intensive equipment in your home. However, there are a few things you can do to keep the number of watts under control.
To begin, select a size that is appropriate for the number of people in your family. The larger your refrigerator is, the more watts it will consume. You won’t overstuff or understuff it with food and drinks if it’s the proper size. Your refrigerator will only produce the energy it requires to keep chilled products cold in this manner.
If you must pick between a frost-free and a defrosting fridge, go with the latter because it uses less energy. Just make sure to defrost it once a week or whenever the freezer has more than 1/4 inch of ice.
To save energy, place your ref at the most efficient location possible. Keep it as far away from the stove as possible, and out of direct sunlight. To keep your ref adequately ventilated, set it at least 1 inch away from the wall. Because the motor isn’t being overworked, the fridge will run more effectively.
4. Use a flat iron (Typical hourly consumption: 800 to 2,000 watts)
Despite its diminutive size, the flat iron produces a significant amount of watts each time it is used. However, you may want to do all of your ironing in one sitting once a week, but take your time choosing the clothes to iron.
Perhaps you don’t need to iron your clothes at home. After you’ve taken them out of the dryer, fold them neatly. Following the manufacturer’s recommended temperature setting for each item of clothes can also help control the amount of energy used.
5. Computer on a desk (Typical hourly consumption: 400 watts)
Your computer is continuously functioning and consuming energy even when it is in sleep or standby mode. This explains why a computer can start up quickly with only a mouse movement. If you’re not going to use your computer for the next two hours, it’s a good idea to turn it off altogether.
Television is number six (Typical hourly consumption: 80 to 400 watts)
If watching TV is your favorite pleasure, at the very least attempt to be mindful of how you do so. Don’t leave it on when you’re sleeping or when you need to do something else. If you have more than one television in your home, try not to use them all at the same time, especially if everyone in your family is watching the same show.
7. Light bulb (incandescent) (Typical hourly consumption: 60 watts)
You may not realize it, but you could be squandering energy by placing lighting fixtures in areas where they aren’t needed, such as near windows. Compact fluorescent lights, which are more energy efficient than incandescent lightbulbs, can also help you save money.
While household appliances are vital to make our lives easier, they should be used correctly to save energy and money. Unplug them anytime they’re not in use instead than putting them in standby mode, which still consumes a little amount of energy.
In the Philippines, how is air conditioning consumption calculated?
To figure out how much electricity your air conditioner uses, start by looking at the type of device. Is this a common window air conditioner? Is it possible to get a split inverter machine? Is it possible to install a central air conditioning system?
Single room air conditioners of various sizes utilize 500 to 1500 watts as a reference. The usual central air conditioning system, on the other hand, consumes between 3000 and 5000 watts of power.
Once that’s done, it’s time to figure out how much energy your air conditioner uses! Here’s how to do it:
- Multiply the electricity use or per kilowatt hour (kWh) by the tariff rate (e.g. 20 cents/kWh) to get the power or electricity cost of your air conditioner.
- Simply multiply the appliance wattage (kW or W) by the number of hours you use to get the energy consumption (kWh).
- For example, if you use a 300W air conditioner for 4 hours each day, you will use around 1200Wh (1.2kWh) per day. The cost of use for one month is 1.2kWh x 30 days x 0.20 $/kWh) = $7.20.
How much does air conditioning in the Philippines cost per month?
When purchasing a new window type air conditioner, buyers consider energy efficiency as one of the most significant criteria. It goes without saying that this will have a significant influence on your electricity bill. If you are concerned about the monthly operating costs of your air conditioner, knowing the wattage of a model before purchasing it is critical.
According to data I’ve gathered and studied, the average wattage of window air conditioners is 1,118W per hour (or 1.118 kWh). This indicates that if the power rate is 9.744/kWh and you use your air conditioner for 8 hours per day, your air conditioner should contribute at least $87.2 per day or $2,616 per month to your electricity bill. Keep in mind that the wattage of window air conditioners varies based on their capacity.
In the Philippines, how might air conditioning help save electricity?
6 Ways to Save Energy Without Giving Up Air Conditioning
- Make sure your air conditioner’s filter is clean. It’s amazing how many people let their air conditioner filters accumulate grime.
- Blackout curtains should be used to cover windows.
- Reduce the amount of light you utilize.
- Make use of electric fans.
- Use the timer on your air conditioner.
- Coins.ph is a website where you can pay your expenses.
What is the average cost of electricity in the Philippines?
Meralco Philippines’ average electricity rate per kilowatt hour for 2019-2020. Meralco’s average retail electricity pricing in the Philippines in 2020 was 7.96 Philippine pesos per kilowatt hour. This is a 10% drop in the average retail rate from the previous year.
Use curtains and blinds to block sunlight
Closing drapes and blinds to prevent direct sunlight will help to lower room temperatures and lessen the amount of effort required of the air conditioner to keep the space cool.
How much energy does an air conditioner consume on a daily basis?
Air conditioners are a necessary piece of equipment in most households. In the summer, they circulate cold air around the house to maintain a comfortable temperature. It’s critical to know how much electricity air conditioners consume in order to determine how much money you can set aside for your energy plan.
Some houses just have one air conditioner, but many two-story houses have two air conditioners, which can significantly increase electricity use. Electricity consumption varies depending on a variety of circumstances. A residential air conditioner uses roughly 3,000 watts of electricity per hour on average. That’s 72,000 watts of electricity per day if you leave it on all day! Running it in ‘fan-only’ mode, on the other hand, will only use roughly 750 watts per hour.
Window air conditioners can use up to 1,440 watts for large models, 900 watts for medium models, and 500 watts for smaller versions, while portable air conditioners can use up to 4,100 watts. Manufacturers of air conditioners publish information on the label to help you figure out how much electricity you’ll need. Most air conditioners run for an average of 1,600 hours per year, or 132 hours per month (depending on season and location).
How much does air conditioning cost to use?
An air conditioner costs between $0.06 and $0.88 per hour to run on average. Let’s look at how much air conditioning costs on a monthly basis (assuming it runs for 8 hours per day). The cheapest option is $14.40 per month, while the most expensive option is $211.20 per month. The annual cost would be between $172.80 and $2534.40 based on these statistics.
Multiply the wattage by the number of hours of energy consumption to get an estimate of your daily energy costs. The daily cost ranges from $2.70 to $4.502 if the air conditioner consumes between 3,000 and 5,000 watts and runs for nine hours each day at a $0.10 per kilowatt cost.
What affects the cost and electricity usage of air conditioning?
The cost of air conditioners and the amount of electricity consumed can both rise as a result of a variety of variables. The size of the unit and the quantity of space it must cool will have a considerable impact on the figures. A 1,600 square foot single-unit home uses significantly less energy than a 3,000 square foot home3.
Another thing to think about is the unit’s energy efficiency. The EER (energy efficiency ratio) and SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) can be used to adjust the amount of energy used to run the equipment. Units with higher EER and SEER consume significantly less energy than those with lower numbers4.
When fans are utilized in conjunction with air conditioning equipment, the amount of electricity used is reduced. Keeping the units well-maintained, as well as changing the AC filters and outdoor coils on a regular basis, will help save money on electricity. Additionally, lowering the amount of outside air that enters the house and increasing fan usage will lower costs. Other approaches, such as maintaining a constant airflow rate, decreasing airflow path blockages, and removing heat-producing objects5, can also help.
Is it cheaper to run a window air conditioner or central air?
The average cost of installing a central air conditioner is $5,700. It might cost anywhere from $1,700 to $10,900, depending on the size of your home or structure. On average, a window air conditioner costs $295, but keep in mind that these devices can only cool a limited area. The price of the device can range from $75 to $1,000, depending on the size and brand. In comparison, the larger the home, the more cost-effective a central air conditioner is.
If you wish to cool the entire house, multiple window air conditioners will use more energy than a single properly sized central air conditioner. If you only need to cool a single room, though, a window air conditioner will be the most efficient option.
Do air conditioners use more electricity than fans?
A fan consumes 5 to 9 times less energy than an air conditioner. While the actual number varies by size and model, practically all of them fall under this category. An air conditioner uses a lot of electricity even on the lowest level to cool the air, whereas a fan saves a lot of money by just rotating a blade. If you want to know how much money you’ll save in your own house, an energy meter can help you figure it out.
Running window units costs one-third less than running a 2.5-ton central air conditioning system for the same length of cooling time. On the other hand, the size of your home will determine which cooling system is best for you and your family. Even if it is an energy star product, standard desktop or standing fans are always less expensive to run than air conditioning equipment because fans require significantly less energy to work effectively.
When is the most expensive time of year to run air conditioning?
During the summer, electricity prices are frequently at their highest. The cost of electricity varies from minute to minute. Most consumers, on the other hand, pay a price that is determined by the seasonal cost of electricity. Prices fluctuate due to variations in energy demand, generation sources, fuel prices, and power availability. Prices are generally higher in the summer, when total demand is high, because more expensive energy sources must be used to meet the increased demand6.
Because it costs more to distribute electricity to residential and corporate consumers, they often pay the highest electricity bills. Supplying power to industrial clients is more efficient and cost-effective since they use more electricity and may obtain it at higher voltages. As a result, the cost of electricity for industrial users is often close to the wholesale rate. Prices are influenced by the availability of power plants and fuels, as well as local fuel costs and pricing rules7.
When is the cheapest time of year to run air conditioning?
Customers are charged more for electricity used during “peak” afternoon hours, when demand is highest. During “off-peak” hours, when demand is minimal, electricity is the most affordable. Overall, the cheapest seasons are fall and spring since energy demand is lower because heaters and air conditioners are utilized less during these months.
Many people use heaters in the winter, which raises costs, and many rely on air conditioners in the summer to keep cool. Summer, on the other hand, is often a time of higher demand than winter, therefore summer electricity rates will be higher. The timing of peak and off-peak electricity use is, however, largely dependent on where you live and the weather conditions8.
What are the pros and cons of air conditioning?
There are various advantages to having an air conditioner. Air conditioners are especially good at cooling large rooms and keeping the house cool for long periods of time. Dehydration is also reduced in air-conditioned environments. Air conditioning benefits patients with respiratory disorders like asthma because it improves the air quality of the environment by eliminating allergens9.
The production of power for air conditioners alone emits around 117 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, harming the environment and contributing to climate change, but for most people, the cost of using air conditioners is the primary disadvantage. The costs of installation and maintenance, particularly for central air conditioning systems, can be significant10.
Furthermore, while air conditioners benefit some people, they can cause skin dryness in others. The same is true for respiratory disorders; while it may benefit some, it can also harm others, resulting in respiratory infections and allergies, especially in older machines. Furthermore, air conditioners can be quite noisy. Finally, too much time spent in air-conditioned environments might lead to heat sensitivity.
What are alternatives to air conditioning?
Most individuals seldom investigate alternate options because air conditioners are so popular. Other forms of in-home cooling alternatives include11:
- Mini-split or ductless air conditioners
- Portable air conditioners or window units
- A swamp cooler is a type of evaporative cooler.
- Fans for the ceiling or for the ground
- Geothermal energy is used to heat and cool buildings (known as a heat pump)
How can I reduce my AC bill?
Overall, the most important thing you can do to save energy while cooling your home is to make sure you’re not cooling the outdoors as well. If your home isn’t brand new, the cold air inside is most likely leaking out through broken door and window seals, a poorly insulated attic, and other small gaps.
Close the blinds to decrease the sun’s potential to influence the temperature of your home. Instead of expecting your air conditioner to cool your house to 68 degrees, adjust the thermostat to 72 degrees, which will consume less electricity. You can save money as well, up to 10% every year or more. Finally, you are not required to use the same setting throughout the day. Change the parameters according to the time of day.
New air conditioners, on the other hand, benefit from the most recent technology and standards. Paying extra up front could save you money in the long run because newer versions are more efficient at the same work. Look for energy-efficient solutions with a 14 or higher Energy Star rating.
Finally, you may shade your property by planting trees around it. A smart thermostat makes it much easier to control the temperature and can save you up to ten percent on your energy bill. Consider getting ceiling fans if you don’t already have them to assist circulate the air. Heat rises, therefore if you don’t want to use air conditioning, spend more time on the lower floors of your home if you have one.
Let’s face it, there are easier methods to save money on air conditioning and energy costs than measuring output and turning off during peak seasons.
Visit our site and enter your address and/or ZIP Code to get started. You can connect your utility if Inspire’s clean energy supply plans are available in your area.
What appliances in the Philippines consume the most electricity?
Your refrigerator is one of your home’s most energy-intensive equipment. As a result, everyone in the family should be more careful of their energy consumption when using it.
When purchasing a refrigerator, the basic rule of thumb is to get the appropriate size for your needs. However, if your ref is too large, either because it was purchased for a low price or because it is a pamana, you must ensure that it is filled with precisely the right quantity of stuff in order to limit the amount of energy required to keep things cool. Too much storage, on the other hand, will prevent the cooled air from circulating properly, causing the ref to spend more energy to generate cold air.
Do you want to save even more money on your electric bill? Simply move your refrigerator an inch or two away from the wall to avoid overworking the engine and to give it more breathing area. Similarly, keep your refrigerator away from the stove and direct sunlight. This can cut its power consumption by up to 40%.
Defrost your freezer once a week or if there is more than 1/4 inch of ice in it to increase its efficiency.
What if I told you that Frost-free refrigerators use more energy than refrigerators that require little to no defrosting effort. The first consumes approximately 200 watts, while the second consumes approximately 100 watts.
In the Philippines, how is an electrical bill calculated?
How to figure out how much electricity is used in the Philippines. For the current month’s power consumption, subtract your current reading from last month’s reading (whatever sort of meter you used). Multiply it by current per-kWh electricity prices to get your electricity costs.
Is it true that inverter air conditioning saves electricity in the Philippines?
Yes, inverter air conditioners are designed to save you money, but only if you use them continuously. Instead of turning it on for 2 hours, off for 2 hours, and on again, you can use it for 8 hours straight every day. So, as continuous use is recommended, should you leave it on for 24 hours?
An inverter air conditioner saves money, but it isn’t magic. It will consume electricity and cost you money if it is left on for 24 hours. If you’ve never turned your air conditioner on for significant periods of time before, your bill will include some eye-popping numbers.
Still perplexed? Jerold Santos, who works for JAC Airconditioning Services, creates Tiktok films that clearly explain air conditioning problems. Here’s how he explains the 24-hour inverter air conditioner: