How to save on electricity bills at home

HOMES AND CONSTRUCTION

Electricity is one of the necessities in a home. It is used to do a number of things which include ironing, cooking, lighting, phone-charging, watching TV, listening to the radio  and much  more.

However, many homeowners have challenges managing electricity bills in their homes. Brian Sentamu, a Network Assets Inspector at UMEME says there are many ways one can manage their monthly electricity bills.

He says using high-power consuming electricity appliances like microwaves, computers, flat irons, cookers, Television sets, refrigerators, washing machines and modems for a short time can reduce on electricity bills.

Sentamu says switching off appliances and electronic gadgets completely from the switch is the best option because no more electricity consumption will be realised.

"Leaving your appliances or electronics plugged in irrespective of whether you are using them or not also consumes a lot of electricity, hence having high electric bills. Using electric appliances which take time to heat like cookers and flat irons consume a lot of electricity. A homeowner should always regulate their usage to when it is absolutely necessary.

David Sekandi, an electric engineer says using LED (energy saving) bulbs helps the homeowner to reduce on electricity bills. You can buy LED bulbs of  5, 10 and  20watts in order to save on electricity consumption. LED bulbs with more than 20watts are not recommended. If you use electricity to cook, opt for a pressure cooker because it takes less time and cooks well. "This is because it contains all the heat inside which helps the content to get ready quickly," Sekandi says.

         
Sekandi, who is also a solar engineer, says solar energy is another way to manage power bills. When one uses solar, they avoid electric appliances which have inbuilt thermostats which cause the appliance to consume a lot of electricity. "Many people fear the cost of installing solar in their homes, but when installed, you live for as long as you wish without paying electricity bills because the sun provides light every day," Sekandi says.

He adds that there are appliances and electronic gadgets which consume power even when they are turned off. These include digital cable or satellite DVRs, laptop computers, printers, DVD players, central heating furnaces, routers and modems, phones, gaming consoles, televisions, and microwaves because  their  internal systems keep running even when they are switched off.