Background of the Study

Three-fourth of what is paid in electric bills are actually electricity that has been
wasted by unnecessarily or accidentally leaving an appliance switched on. The inefficient
generation up to the consumption of electricity adds up to a lot of waste which reflects in
the bills (Sandoval, 2014). Not only that, but wasting energy can strain a power grid and
can affect the whole neighborhood and cause power outages. It can also contribute to
climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency states that 17% of America’s
carbon dioxide emissions are from households through energy consumption and waste
(Taylor, n.d.). Not only America, but other countries are contributing to climate change via
emissions. In line with this, Europe has decided to adapt to the phenomena and counter
it by transitioning to clean energy. Changes in the energy system will be made in order to
secure a reliable and renewable source of clean energy (European Environment Agency,
2019).
Asia has also been a big contributor to climate change with 60% of the world’s
electricity consumption occuring in China (Enderata, 2019). In the Philippines, 55.7% of
emissions are from the energy sector with 17 operating coal-powered power plants and
29 more by the end of the year as electricity remains to be the most common source of
energy in a Filipino household (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2004). Presented with these
numbers, under the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Philippines committed to
reduce 70% of emissions by the year 2030 (Rappler, n.d.).
In a more local setting, Ateneo De Davao University with its Ecoteneo advocacy
initiates the use of solar power technology. The university house 842 solar panels in their
campuses. (Villarba, 2016). Davao has also directed its interest in pursuing alternative
sources of energy. They encourage investors in the generation and distribution of
renewable energy (Davao City Investment Promotion Center, n.d.).
With these solutions, energy waste and its effects on the environment can be
lessened. However, these are big changes and most of us have millions to fund projects.
That is why a need for simple solutions at home arise and why companies create products
to market to such households for convenience and efficiency.
http://invest.davaocity.gov.ph/generation-of-new-sources-of-energy/
http://www.addu.edu.ph/blog/2016/06/07/ateneo-pushes-energy-sustainability-through-
solar-technology/
https://www.rappler.com/brandrap/climate-change
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/reasons-wasting-energy-homes-bad-78910.html
http://www.senseandsustainability.net/2014/09/03/wasted-electricity/
https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/climate-change-puts-pressure-on
https://yearbook.enerdata.net/electricity/electricity-domestic-consumption-data.html
https://psa.gov.ph/tags/energy-consumption