Beat increased tariffs
ELECTRICITY is a necessity for all families, hence important part of their budget every month. Any increase in this cost puts pressure on consumers’ wallet, leading them to readjust their expenses.
Unfortunately, Fijian consumers will have to pay more on their electricity bills from this month because of a 2.74 per cent increase in tariffs. While some consumers, may be able to absorb these costs, there are others who will feel the pinch of a higher bill. However, consumers can still reduce their bills by following some simple power saving tips.
Consumer advice
■ Switch off and save — This is the most basic of all power saving tips. Consumers should switch off all lights and appliances when not in use as this will help save costs both to them and the environment.
■ If it's not in use unplug it — If an appliance is not in use, you should immediately unplug it from the wall socket or power source. This is useful advice for
TVs, radios, Blu-Ray players and even computers. Unplug these appliances instead of leaving them in standby mode to save electricity.
■ Check the energy rating — Consumers who are looking to purchase new appliances for their homes should pay special attention to energy ratings as this will help to soften the blow of the increased electricity tariffs. Energy saver light bulbs can also aid in lowering energy.
■ Set your fridge to the correct temperature — Since almost all homes have refrigerators, a smart way to save money is ensure that the fridge and freezer is set at the right temperature. Check the user manual for your fridge's optimum temperature. Generally, this will be between two and five degrees Celsius for your fridge and -18 degrees Celsius for your freezer.
■ Defrost and declutter — Freezers need to be regularly defrosted in order to function properly. Thick layers of ice in freezers are a form of insulation. Therefore, the appliance has to use more energy to cool to the desire temperature. Defrosting regularly remove ice build up and saves you money. Similarly, refrigerators will be unable to optimise circulation due to excessive clutter. Ensure you do not overstock your fridge as it will use more energy to cool to the desired temperature.
■ Monitor your usage — Consumers can also save money by managing their use of appliances like washing machines. Instead of doing multiple small loads of laundry, it is advisable to do larger loads and cut down the amount of times washers and dryers are used.
■ Solar power — Consider installing solar panels to power some of your appliances. The cost may be high initially to install the panels and battery however it will save you money in the long run. Solar power is free and as an added bonus is also clean and sustainable.
Electricity bill calculation
They can also use the power saving tips above and calculate how this impacts their electricity bill at the end of the month. This will help them to monitor the effect their electricity consumption habits have on their bills.
Consumers facing any consumer related issues can contact the council on the National Consumer Helpline toll-free number 155. Alternatively, they can also email the council on complaints@consumersfiji.org
This is a regular contribution from the Consumer Council of Fiji. Email: mediaofficer@consumersfiji.org for feedback.