(center, L-R): Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas Field Office Chief Science Research Specialist, Energy Resource Development and Utilization Division Lourdes Arciaga, and DOE-VFO Senior Science Research Specialist Miguel Trenuela during the Kapihan sa PIA interview on May 10, 2023. (PIA7)
CEBU CITY, Cebu, May 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy (DOE) is encouraging the public to conserve energy and use electricity wisely.
DOE Visayas Field Office Chief Science Research Specialist, Energy Resource Development and Utilization Division Lourdes Arciaga disclosed during the Kapihan on May 10 that Visayas is now experiencing yellow alert status.
“There’s a high probability of more yellow alert in the coming months so we really need to practice energy conservation," Arciaga said.
A yellow alert is when the power supply, in reserve, falls below levels deemed ideal while white would mean sufficient energy supply.
Red alert would mean very low supply in the power grids causing rotational brownouts or manual load dropping in places where the grids are situated.
DOE-VFO Senior Science Research Specialist Engineer Miguel Trenuela explained further that part of energy conservation is buying appliances with energy labels to ensure the efficiency of the product in electricity consumption.
Energy labels or energy guides are cards commonly seen on household appliances and lighting products.
The star rating is the graphical representation indicating that the more stars, the more efficient the product is.
The highest star rating is to have a five star label.
“Always look for the star rating especially in buying high energy consumption products. High energy consumption products with energy labels are airconditioners, television, refrigerators, and lighting products. Other appliances like washing machines will have energy labels soon," said Trenuela.
He added that more stars and higher ratings would mean more savings.
Switching off the lights if not needed, unplugging of appliances when not in use, using of LED lights and energy-saving appliance, limit ironing of clothes, regular cleaning of airconditioners and appliances, wearing of light and comfortable clothing, and setting the aircon thermostat to a comfortable level are some of the energy-saving tips that DOE shared during the interview.
The Energy label is part of the Philippine Energy Labeling Program and is one of the initiatives of the DOE as part of the enactment of Republic Act 11285, otherwise known as the “Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Act which aims to transform and encourage the shift of consumer behavior towards usage of energy efficient products. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu with reports from DOE)
