Appliances & Power
Appliances, running costs and backup power
What your aircon and refrigerator actually use, how to read Philippine energy labels, and how to keep the essentials running when the power goes out.
Read the label before you buy
Air conditioners, refrigerators and several other appliances sold in the Philippines carry a Department of Energy energy label under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (Republic Act No. 11285). The label shows an efficiency rating and an estimated monthly consumption measured under standard test conditions. It is the fairest way to compare models — just remember your own use will differ from the test basis.
Plan for brownouts
For outages, list the few things you truly need — lights, fans, phones, the Wi-Fi router, perhaps the fridge or a medical device — add up their watts, and size backup power from there. The power station runtime calculator does the maths.
Guides
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How Much Electricity Does an Air Conditioner Use?
Why aircon HP isn't wattage, where to find the rated power input, what the DOE energy label shows, and how to estimate your aircon's kWh and monthly cost.
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Inverter vs Non-Inverter Aircon: Understanding Running Costs
How inverter and non-inverter compressors differ, why savings depend on your hours and load, and how to work out payback using the CSPF on the DOE label.
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How Much Electricity Does a Refrigerator Use?
Read the monthly kWh on the DOE energy label, why nameplate watts × 24 hours overstates use, inverter fridges, habits that matter and brownout food safety.
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Choosing Backup Power During Philippine Brownouts
Power banks, UPS units, power stations, inverter batteries, hybrid solar or a generator? How to size backup power for brownouts and use it safely.
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How to Calculate Portable Power Station Runtime
Work out how long a portable power station will run a fan, router or fridge: the runtime formula, usable capacity, inverter losses, surge limits and solar recharging.
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Preparing for El Niño Brownouts: Grid Alerts and Backup Power
What NGCP yellow and red alerts mean, what to do during an alert, which appliances to keep running, and how to size backup power safely for El Niño.