President Bola Tinubu on Monday advised Nigerians to enhance their management skills to reduce electricity bills.
Tinubu stated this in a chat with reporters at his Bourdillon residence in the affluent Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
He said, “It’s not negative to learn to manage. You learn to control your electricity bill, and switch off the lights, so let’s learn to manage.”
Here are five ways to manage your electricity:
- Energy-saving electronics:
Note that using energy-saving equipment for household items such as bulbs, inverters, fridges, and other devices is an excellent way to manage your power costs. - Turn Off Lights When Not in Use – Switching off the lights when not in use is especially important for those who use tungsten filament (regular) bulbs compared to LED lights. It takes 16 hours for a regular bulb to consume 1 kilowatt of electricity; meanwhile, it takes 66 hours for an LED light to consume 1 kilowatt of electricity. Therefore, it is crucial to switch off the lights when not in use, especially during daylight.
- Don’t Leave Appliances on Standby:
The Nigerian Electricity System Operator has emphasised that unplugging electronic devices when not in use is a cost-effective way to manage electricity, whether you are metered or not. It is important to be aware of appliances that use up to 50% of power even when they are on standby. - Minimise Usage of Air Conditioners and Electric Water Heaters:
Electricity users can ventilate during the night or early in the morning to store coolness for the day. When windows and doors are open, warm air from outside can enter their space. This creates a constant exchange of air and reduces strain on your AC unit. Also, use water heaters only when necessary. Lower the temperature of your water heater to conserve energy used for heating water. - Explore Other Alternatives:
Those who can afford the installation of solar panels or inverters should consider this option. Nowadays, there are also appliances such as air conditioners, fridges, and washing machines that operate on a Low Voltage System (LVS). These appliances help you save on electricity. Additionally, check the standby consumption when buying appliances or asking for energy-efficient devices.
