Simple tips to reduce electricity bills during summer

The use of air conditioners and fans increases during intense heat, directly impacting electricity bills. However, small changes in daily habits can help keep power consumption under control.

Proper AC use: Set AC temperature to 24-26 degrees Celsius instead of 18 degrees. Each degree increase saves about 6 per cent electricity. Using a fan on low speed while AC is running cools the room faster and reduces AC load. Cleaning AC filters every 15 days also reduces power consumption.

Keep rooms cool naturally: Keep curtains drawn during the day, especially from 10am to 5pm. Dark-coloured curtains reduce heat entering the room. Open windows after evening to let cool outside air in, reducing AC use at night. Using daylight instead of lights also saves electricity.

Fridge precautions: Keep the fridge at least six inches away from the wall so hot air can escape easily. Avoid opening the fridge repeatedly and do not put hot food directly inside. Setting the fridge to summer mode during hot weather helps avoid extra bills.

Unplug unnecessary devices: TVs, laptop chargers and microwaves continue to draw small amounts of electricity even when turned off remotely. Make it a habit to unplug devices from sockets when not in use.

Use LED lights: LED bulbs consume much less electricity and provide more light than traditional filament bulbs or tube lights. Switching old bulbs to LEDs will significantly reduce electricity bills in the long run.