The Department of Energy (DOE) encourages the public to use fuels and electricity judiciously especially in the summer months when demand will be higher. Some simple household energy-saving tips are posted at the DOE website and www.wattmatters.org.ph.

Equally important, the DOE encourages consumer to buy products that carry an energy label. Yellow energy labels are mandatory on household air conditioners (except inverter type), household refrigerators (size range: 5 to 8 cubic feet), compact fluorescent lamps (self-ballasted), linear fluorescent lamps, circular fluorescent lamps and ballasts.

To reduce electricity bills associated with cooling your homes, look for a high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) when buying a new air-conditioner. EER refers to the cooling efficiency of the unit.

For refrigerators and freezers, the yellow energy guide bears the Energy Efficiency Factor (EEF) of the unit. The higher the energy efficiency rating, the lower the energy consumption.

For fluorescent lamps, the energy label indicates the light output in lumens, power consumption, lamp efficacy and average life. More lumens mean more light output. The higher the efficacy rating, the lower is the energy consumption.  The safety tests, on the other hand, are being administered by the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry.

In addition, the DOE has recently established state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for performance testing of television sets, washing machines, refrigerators, and freezers through the assistance of the Asian Development Bank.

The DOE envisions that with the stakeholders’ cooperation, integrating energy efficiency will significantly help in achieving energy security, optimal energy pricing, and a sustainable energy plan for the country.

Further, the DOE warns the public on false claims of some companies that their products, when attached to electrical appliances or lighting products, can bring about a reduction in energy consumption.

The DOE is not endorsing uncertified “energy saving” devices for use by consumers. The agency maintains that these devices should undergo testing using the acceptable technology verification protocol to prove claims regarding the functional performance of such devices.

“We do acknowledge the inventors’  ingenuity in coming up with such energy-saving devices but we hope their products are really energy-savers so we can help the people reduce their energy consumption and thus save money, particularly at this time when the supply and cost of electricity have stirred public concern,” DOE Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson said.

She further stated that “the government continues to monitor the energy performance of appliances and lighting products covered by the energy standards and labelling program through laboratory tests,” and added that consumers should be extra cautious in purchasing energy saving devices and consult with the DOE-Consumer Welfare and Promotions Office through the following: text: 0917-581-2925/call: 840-2267/tweet: @doe_ph before making any purchase.