How to cut down your electricity bills

Monday , 26 August 2012 TELIAT SULE

Some Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the new billing system of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). In line with the power reform agenda, the rate per kilowatt was recently reviewed upward from N7.30/kw to N12.45/kw.


Surprisingly, while the rate increased by just about 70 percent, the accompanying bill especially in some areas has increased by about 150 percent. Or how else do we explain an apartment that was paying N400 per room before now paying N1000 per month?

Some have suggested PHCN speed up the installation of functional meters. This is highly welcome. However, the reality is that the installation of new meters will not make any difference if we do not check our habit as relate to the usage of electricity.

We are poor at using electricity. Hardly can you pass through a street either in the rural or urban areas that we will not see bulbs switch on during daylight and yet we complain of overestimated bill when PHCN staffs serve us. Here are the tips to observe if you want to control you electricity bill.

Be prudent in electricity usage

Cultivate the habit of switching on bulbs only whenever illumination is needed. Inculcate this habit in all the members of your household. Apart from reducing the monthly PHCN bill, you will reduce the rate of any accident occasioned by spark in any electrical circuit in your household.

Use energy saving bulbs

Energy saving bulbs are now available. In addition to using little energy to generate the needed illumination, they last longer than regular incandescent bulbs. Meanwhile, most energy saving bulbs are coated with phosphorous and mercury which are dangerous to health, we should quickly get rid of it once it is burnt.

Buy energy saving appliances

There are some appliances or gadgets that use lesser energy. Always ask at the point of purchase of such appliances. Such appliances carry energy saving logos. These appliances can save you 30 percent of the regular PHCN monthly bill.
Switch off all appliances when going out.

This is a safety precaution. We are always enjoined to switch off all electrical or electronic appliances whenever we are leaving home. Some households have lost all they have worked for due to non-observance of this rule. It is only when you and members of your household are at home that you enjoy electricity. Otherwise, whatever voltage that your appliances consume while you are away is wasted. Right from today, stop paying for services you and members of your households do not enjoy.