Electricity rates have gone down, but you can still lower your bills with these tips

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announcing another drop in its rates for the second straight month this October is good news to every consumer—especially since the prices of other basic goods and commodities are continuously rising.

The power distribution company says it has decreased almost P0.10 per kWh in overall rates this month, which means a typical household consuming 200kWh will be able to save P19 from its total bill. Meralco says the decrease in generation charge is mainly the result of a reduction in charges of Power Supply Agreements. Find out more about the price decrease in this video:

While this is good news to most of us, it still helps to know these energy efficiency tips you can do at home to further lower your electric bill:

Unplug appliances when they’re not in use. It’s a reminder that you may have heard your parents say whenever you’re leaving the house—and one that should stick with you. Unplugging appliances when they’re not in use helps in avoiding the so-called phantom load or instances when appliances still consume electricity even when unused.

Use the air conditioner at mid-setting. When using your aircon at home, it’s best if it’s set at mid-setting or at 25 degrees Celsius for maximum efficiency. Since it’s already the –ber months, you may even do without turning your unit on!

Have a power board or strip at home. The beauty of using a power board means you can get power supply for several devices at once. It also allows you to conveniently turn them all off simultaneously with just one switch. Talk about being energy efficient!

Maximize natural light. Especially at daytime, it’s better to use natural light in your home. Practice using or turning on the lights only when it’s dark; this way, you get to save energy and expenses on your electric bill.

Keep your appliances well maintained. It pays to do a checkup on your appliances every now and then. Keep them well maintained to ensure their optimal performance. If you encounter problems such as loose wirings or other electrical load side concerns, get help from Meralco-certified electrical experts. For more information about this, visit www.meralco.com.ph/cbm.

Know more energy saving tips from Meralco’s website at www.meralco.com.ph or its social media accounts, @meralco on Twitter and www.facebook.com/meralco on Facebook.