By Alcuin Papa
Manila—Open the windows of your homes, use a mosquito net rather than electric insect repellants and, if you can, don’t iron clothes anymore.
These were some of the tips given by environmentalists Saturday in the wake of rising power costs due in part to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
In a statement, the EcoWaste Coalition said saving on power was not only good for household budgets but also for the environment.
“The judicious use of electricity is not only good for the purse, but also for the planet,” said Rei Panaligan, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition. “By saving energy we cut greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels like coal that is propelling climate change.”
Called “Kuryentipid” tips, the advice ranges from simply turning lights off, unplugging appliances when not in use, opening the windows, organizing household chores and choosing not to iron clothes.
“Uso naman ang ‘crumpled look’ kaya huwag ng plantsahin ang damit, pantalon at mga linen sa bahay (the crumpled look is in, so there is little need to iron clothes, pants and linen),” suggested entrepreneur Baby Reyes, also vice president of Mother Earth Foundation, a member of the coalition.
Bro. Martin Francisco, President of the Sagip Sierra Madre
Environmental Society, another member of the coalition, also advised manual washing of clothes as against the use of washing machines.
Rene Pineda, President of the Concerned Citizens Against Pollution, stressed the need to unclutter as much space as possible so natural light and ventilation can penetrate and circulate freely inside homes.
Health rights advocate Dr. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz, who is also president of Ang Nars, homes should have a weekly “one hour lights off” to cut on power use.
Other tips include:
- Installing skylights wherever possible to maximize the daylight;
- Switching off lights when not needed;
- Wiping and cleaning lighting fixtures to improve illumination;
- Never leaving appliances, computers and gadgets on standby mode;
- Opening windows to ventilate the natural way and let natural light in;
- Using electric fans and air-conditioners sparingly, ensuring that blades and filters are kept clean;
- Organizing properly chores like cooking, cleaning, washing and ironing clothes and doing less of these;
- Putting leftover food on top of newly-cooked rice to warm it instead of using the stove, toaster or microwave;
- Keeping your washing machine loads at maximum and washing clothes manually if possible;
- Using just the right amount of detergent to avoid extra rinsing;
- Hanging clothes to dry instead of using electric dryers;
- Planning refrigerator trips to avoid frequent opening and closing of the fridge;
- Setting the temperature of refrigerators to 5°C, and leaving enough room around the top and back to let heat escape; and
- Using the kulambo (mosquito net) instead of electric mosquito repellants.