In the past month, Malaysia has been experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures reaching at least 35 degrees Celsius and occasionally close to 40 degrees Celsius, posing serious health risks to the population as at least two heatstroke deaths have been reported in the states.
The heat has also made life difficult for Malaysians, with unusually high electricity bills being one of the unfortunate consequences. Recently, a woman in the country shared her story of receiving an electricity bill of RM2,072 (equivalent to roughly 11 million VND) for the first time in her life, and the post quickly went viral on social media.
RM2,072 Electricity Bill Due to 2 Wrong Air Conditioner Habits
According to World Of Buzz, the woman named Rose Tiara recently took to Facebook to share her shock when she saw her April electricity bill amounting to RM2,072 (equivalent to roughly 11 million VND). Rose revealed that this was also the highest amount she had ever had to pay, with her second highest bill being RM1,600 (equivalent to roughly 8.5 million VND).
The woman’s post quickly gained traction, garnering over 2.5k views, 700 comments, and over 400 shares.
While the figure might initially shock anyone due to its high amount, netizens soon understood the reason behind it when Rose shared her air conditioner usage habits.
The woman’s post has garnered over 2.5k views and 700 comments.
“The weather has been so hot, and I’ve been turning on my air conditioner almost 24/7. On top of that, I also set the temperature to 16 degrees Celsius because I want the room to be as cold as possible,” Rose wrote in her Facebook post.
“Don’t tell me to set the temperature to between 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, I won’t do it. I’ll stick to 16 degrees because I want to feel really cool and comfortable,” Rose added.
Perhaps due to these indulgent air conditioning habits, the woman compared her monthly electricity bill to her house loan, saying that it felt like paying “more than my monthly house loan installment”.
The woman’s unique air conditioner habits have caused her electricity bill to spike. (Photo from her Facebook)
Rose revealed that together with her previous unpaid balance, she would have to pay a total of RM5,831.75 (equivalent to roughly 31 million VND) by May 14th.
Speaking to World Of Buzz, Rose said that she did not expect her post to gain so much attention and clarified that she did not intend to complain about the electricity bill but was merely expressing her surprise.
“I don’t mean to imply anything. I will pay the bill in full and on time regardless of the amount,” Rose concluded.
Rose also mentioned that she is considering installing solar panels to reduce her electricity bills. However, there are still ways to use air conditioners more efficiently to save electricity during this hot season.
Ways to Use Air Conditioners More Energy-Efficiently
1. Use Air Conditioners with Inverter Technology
Air conditioners with Inverter technology, also known as variable-frequency drives, can save energy and help the unit operate more efficiently. When the air conditioner is turned on, the compressor will start slowly and then gradually increase speed to full load, consuming less energy. Once the desired room temperature is reached, the compressor will slow down to maintain a consistent temperature and avoid wasting energy.
2. Set the Air Conditioner Temperature Reasonably
Many people make the mistake of setting their air conditioner temperature to the lowest setting to cool down quickly. However, this will cause the unit to run at full capacity immediately, resulting in faster wear and tear and higher energy consumption. It is better to set the temperature higher initially and then gradually lower it.
(Photo for illustration)
The ideal indoor temperature should be between 24 to 28 degrees Celsius, which allows the air conditioner to operate efficiently and minimizes the temperature difference from the outside. Keep in mind that the lower the temperature, the higher the energy consumption.
3. Clean and Maintain Air Conditioners Regularly
This is another important tip for using air conditioners energy-efficiently. Over time, air conditioners accumulate dust on the surfaces of the indoor and outdoor units, causing the unit to cool less efficiently and reducing its lifespan.
Therefore, it is essential to clean the fan blades, indoor and outdoor coils, and air filters regularly to ensure proper operation. Alternatively, you can call a technician to perform maintenance after extended periods of air conditioner use.
4. Avoid Running Air Conditioners 24/7, Use Fans Instead or Simultaneously
You should not run your air conditioner 24/7, even during hot weather, because staying in an air-conditioned environment for extended periods can lead to dehydration, dry skin, and respiratory issues. Additionally, leaving the air conditioner on all day will significantly increase your electricity bill and cause premature wear and tear on the internal components, reducing the product’s lifespan.
Therefore, use a fan instead of an air conditioner when the weather is not excessively hot to save energy and improve air circulation in the room.
Also, you can turn on a fan while the air conditioner is running as combining an air conditioner with a fan helps distribute the cool air more evenly and quickly throughout the room, leading to further energy savings.
According to Doi Song Phap Luat
- Use air conditioners with inverter technology, which saves energy and improves efficiency.
- Set the temperature reasonably; avoid extremely low settings to prevent unnecessary wear and tear and higher energy consumption.
- Regularly clean and maintain your air conditioner to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
- Avoid running the air conditioner 24/7; instead, use fans or a combination of fans and air conditioning for improved energy efficiency and air circulation.
6 Most Effective Strategies to Cut Down on Monthly Electricity Bills
Do you want to reduce your electricity consumption and save money? Finding simple ways to save electricity not only helps you do that but also contributes to the fight against global warming. Read on to learn more about how changing your daily routine or using an appliance with an energy label can help you save electricity and money. Quantrimang’s article below has great advice regarding this.
Air Conditioning Blunders: How to Avoid a Hefty $1,100 Monthly Electricity Bill
The woman said she had never experienced anything like it before.
