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NERC: 6 ways to reduce your electricity bill  

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has provided six ways Nigerians can reduce their electricity bill.

DisCos, NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has provided six ways Nigerians can reduce their electricity bill.

The tips were shared by the Commission via its official Twitter handle on Thursday, July 27.

These tips are helpful for both metered and non-metered customers, so they do not have to pay so much for electricity consumption.  

The tips include: 

Install CFL or LED bulbs 

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are energy-saving bulbs that help users save money, use less energy, reduce light bulb changes, and lower greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions that lead to climate change.

Also, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are highly efficient bulbs that are better than regular (incandescent) bulbs in terms of energy conservation.

LEDs are also good options for streetlights, walkway lighting, outdoor lighting, and industrial use.  

Turn off empty fridges or freezers 

This extends beyond totally empty fridges or freezers; users need to also consider the items contained in their fridges or freezers at any given time.

If the items contained therein are not susceptible to being stale, there is no reason to leave the fridge/freezer running for hours.

Users need to regulate their use of fridges and freezers; it is important to state that data from Ikeja Electric shows that it takes 10 hours for a medium-sized refrigerator to consume 1 kilowatt hour of electricity.  

Replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones

Energy efficiency is now reflected in the products that are pushed onto the market daily.

These products range from air conditioners to fridges/freezers to pressing irons as well as fans, and energy-saving kitchen appliances.

When changing some appliances for residences and offices, users are better served to buy energy-saving appliances as they consume less electricity.  

Cook with gas

Cooking with gas is a cheaper alternative to cooking with electricity.

This is because consistent hours of cooking time will reflect humongous electricity bills, both for metered and unmetered consumers.

Also, prolonged use of electricity for cooking is not sustainable due to the current economic realities Nigerians are currently facing.

In 2022, Nairametrics conducted a survey and found that as a cheaper alternative to cooking compared to electricity-powered cookers. 

Let food cool down before placing it in the fridge/freezer

After cooking, it is better to allow the food to become cool before freezing or cooling, this is because food that is still hot will impact the coolness of the fridge or freezer and that means more electricity consumption for the user.

If the food is cold, it becomes easier for the fridge or freezer to cool or freeze the food.  

Do not leave water heaters on for too long

This is very important for those who run hot baths a lot or are regular hotel users. It is better to regulate heating time when using water heaters.

In 2022, during an energy efficiency survey conducted by Nairametrics, energy analyst, Oghosa Erhahon, told Nairametrics that she stays energy efficient by turning on her bathroom electric heater for about half an hour, so it can serve her for approximately 36 hours as opposed to using the heater every single day.

Think of how much energy is saved in this case.  




Comments 19

  1. very correct tips. thanks for sharing…

  2. Festus Gbolahan Akinmuda

    I agree absolutely. I did most of these things and our light bill fell by 30%.

  3. Good, there was a time i send message to you about crazy bills being sent to me by Ikeja electric but to my surprise i didn’t hear anything from you as feedback

  4. Abubakar

    Very helpful write up, because in my house in abuja, a 5bd duplex, we consume minimum of 80, 000 monthly, I don’t even if my meter is not running fast

    1. Please, ask AEDC electricity engineers to help check and review the apartment for too much consumption. Thanks

  5. Anto Lot Emmanuel

    Even doing so they still charge on estimate and when they disconnect once light for months they still bring bill on estimate that you did not inform them that you no longer need their service, I personally feel the regulatory body has compromise by not checking their excesses on customer

    1. Daysman

      Go and get a Pre-Paid meter

  6. Joshua Gogo

    Noted and useful tips I guess. . .

    1. Chukwudebere Nonso

      This piece captures the fact that we waste energy so much in our country Nigeria, and that has been a contributor to insufficient power supply experiences over the years. But thanks to the vital information it offers, we can now begin to imbibe a conservatory attitude towards the use of power. We should resort to energy-efficient appliances to help us manage our limited energy provisions from the grid. Thanks, Nairameteics and Omono Okonkwo.

  7. Isaac Olayinka

    Thanks for the useful tips I will share with my group

  8. Miri

    The issue to address is actually electricity theft because a few of us buy and manage the tarrifs and still “endure” the supply with those who steal the electricity. Isn’t that more than enough punishment to the consumers?

  9. Liman Adulugba

    Thank you,NERC. This is what is expected from our Service providers..

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