6 common mistakes Nigerians make that increase prepaid meter bills
While managing these increases is necessary, Nigerians can avoid common mistakes that drive meter bills even higher.
Many Nigerians have started feeling the strain after the hike in electricity tariff by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Band A customers saw their rates jump from N68 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in April to N225/kWh, with a slight drop to N206.80/kWh in May.
This sharp increase comes at a time of rising inflation and soaring prices of goods and services, leaving many worried about the stability of the electricity sector in Nigeria.
While managing these increases is necessary, Nigerians can avoid common mistakes that drive meter bills even higher.
Here are six common errors that could be costing you more, plus tips on how to avoid them.
Leaving Appliances On When Not in Use
It might not seem like a big deal, but living lights, fans and other appliances powered on when no one is present can add up for some of us. Many of us keep appliances on, however, dealing with shutting them off when use is needed can play a significant role. Use buttons on power strips so everything cold be turned off at once if possible, or specifically ensure to shut all lights off in a room that is not being occupied.
Hanging Onto Old or Inefficient Appliances
Older appliances (like old refrigerators or old air conditioners) typically use a lot of additional energy. You could simply change to a brand with their Energy Star label and find much savings energy thereby, create savings over time by using lesser amounts of energy.
Neglecting Regular Maintenance
If you fall behind on routine maintenance, your appliances may utilize more energy than they ought to. For instance, dirty air conditioner filters force the unit to overwork and increase your electricity bill. Service your appliances on a regular basis and keep them clean for optimal performance.
Relying Too Much on AC
Running air conditioning significantly contributes to energy bills. Most of us set our air conditioning units to low temperatures or leave them on for too long. To save energy, you should change your air conditioning settings to a more moderate temperature and the use of fans is also a great way to generate cooling.
Continuing to Use Standard Bulbs
Incandescent bulbs consume far more electricity than energy-saving LED/CFL bulbs. Replacing incandescent bulbs will dramatically reduce your electricity usage even though the cost of the bulbs may be higher, they are much cheaper over the long run – they use less power as well as last longer.
Overloading Circuits
Plugging too many items into one outlet or power strip will lead to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption. It is important to check that you are not overloading your circuits. Use outlets and/or power strips to avoid an overloaded electrical system as you try to spend less on electricity.
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