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Groups pass on tips to reduce energy bills

Ho Tsung-hsun, secretary-general of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, yesterday demonstrates electricity-saving light bulbs and offers tips on energy-saving measures. PHOTO: LIAO CHEN-HUEI, TAIPEI TIMES

With the public now being asked to pay more for electricity, both environmental protection groups and government officials are keen to let people know how they can save on their bills.

To this end the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union has published a brochure introducing multiple energy-saving strategies now available to the public.

The Union's representative Chiu Chi-che (邱繼哲), also the group's energy-saving specialist, suggested yesterday that doing something as simple as changing the type of light bulb used by a household can have tangible benefits.

Chiu said an electricity-saving bulb uses only one-fifth of the electricity of a regular bulb. While the former costs more, the extra expense would be offset in the long run if one considers the savings that will be accrued each month.

People could also save electricity by purchasing air-conditioners with a high energy efficient ratio (EER), he said, adding that it also helps save energy if air conditioner filters are cleaned every two weeks.

Home decoration could also play a part in electricity-saving strategies, according to Chiu.

In view of rising energy prices, the nation's Bureau of Energy is also providing information on viable energy-saving ideas. According to the bureau, on average a household could reduce electricity consumption by 6 percent by raising the temperature of air conditioners by one degree.

The Executive Yuan has requested that all government agencies and schools follow energy-conservation policies, which aim to halt growth in the consumption of electricity and gasoline.

It further estimates that 430 million kilowatt-hours could be saved this year should the policy be thoroughly implemented, which equals NT$860 million (US$26.9 million) worth of electricity.

Taipower has issued separate rate plans for household users, commercial users and industrial users, which came into operation yesterday.

Household users of more than 330 kilowatt-hours per month will now be asked to pay 3.12 percent more on average, while commercial users will pay an additional 4.99 percent. Industrial users will be required to pay as much as 7.98 percent more, regardless of how much power they consume.
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