Introduction:

Pakistan has recently been mired in an endless energy conflict. Anyone would feel depressed if they had to experience prolonged power outages, record-breaking heat, and all these issues at once. When you think things can't get much worse, your electricity bill shows up to ruin any remaining summer spirit. In fact, things are so bad in our country right now that the meme game is unreliable.

People are being compelled to take to the streets by the recent nationwide demonstrations against the rising electricity bills. The government is putting the finishing touches on its action plan to provide some much-needed relief on power costs that appear to exceed the average person's monthly income.

Efficient ways to lower electricity costs this summer

How can power be saved? among the most often asked questions throughout the summer are "What are the ways to save electricity during summers?" 

GET ACTIVE TAPPER STATUS:

Did you know that paying your taxes on time might lower your power costs? Taxpayers now get a benefit thanks to a 7.5% withholding tax that was previously levied on power bills exceeding PKR 25,000 per month, thanks to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). This adjustment, which was previously applied to invoices over PKR 75,000.

You will be liable for this tax if your name is not on the Active Taxpayers List. There is, however, an easy technique to prevent it. You should register your CNIC and other information on the Ministry of Energy's Power Division website (https://mnr.pitc.com.pk/index.php?m=1) if you rent an apartment or have an electricity metre in someone else's name. This not only demonstrates that you are an engaged taxpayer but also enables you to avoid paying the additional tax.

Saving money on power bills while helping the nation's budget is a win-win situation.

AVOID POWER OVERUSE DURING PEAK HOURS:

Being mindful of your power use during peak hours is the first thing you should do (or may already be doing). The term "peak hours" describes the times of the day when demand for power is at its highest. Customers pay the highest rates during these times for each unit of power used.

The peak time range was previously 6 pm to 10 pm, but the government recently changed it to 5 pm to 11 pm. You should be careful while using equipment that use a lot of power, such as air conditioners, microwaves, ovens, freezers, irons, and water heaters, during these times. Take pauses or try to use these appliances at off-peak times.

USE LED AND INVERTER TECHNOLOGY:

Switch to LED lighting and inverter technology right now to make the wise decision. LED lights provide the same radiance without the high expense since they shine beautifully while using far less energy. Add this to the effectiveness of inverter technology in your air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines, which guarantees that your equipment function well even during power outages while also costing less. Imagine getting rid of those energy guzzlers and saying "hello" to savings that grow over time. It's not simply a switch; it's a powerful step towards a more eco-friendly and frugal way of life. Change now and observe the difference!

PUT MONEY INTO SOLAR POWER:

It is common knowledge that using solar energy may result in significant electricity bill reductions. But switching your entire house over to solar energy could seem like a costly endeavour that's not practical for everyone. Allocating a portion of your power use to solar panels is an intelligent strategy for managing the cost element. Consider getting a smaller solar panel and using it to power commonly used appliances like fans, lights, and outdoor lighting. Another benefit is that these solar-powered fans and lights will keep running even if there is a power loss, giving you unbroken service.

COLORISE YOUR ROOF:

Power shortages and sweltering heat are common during the summer. However, there is a straightforward fix: paint your roof a specific shade of white. This paint functions as a screen, deflecting the sun's harsh rays and preserving the coolness of your home. It is known as "roof cooling coating" and is effective on all styles of roofs, including flat and sloped ones. It is simple to apply; you may do it using a brush, roller, mop, or sprayer.

Elastomeric coating, which is renowned for its capacity to reflect sunlight, is a preferred option in Pakistan. As a result, you could discover that you use the air conditioner less frequently. A sun-exposed roof often needs a lot of air conditioning to be comfortable. However, a white roof will reflect around 90% of the sunshine, keeping the area comfortable.

Here's a remarkable fact: according to DAWN, by painting 1,000 square feet of roofs white, you effectively reduce carbon dioxide by a sizable amount. Imagine scaling this up to cover a large area of rooftops like Karachi's 2,500 km2; it would be the equivalent of taking over 2 million automobiles off the road for 20 years. Really amazing, isn't it?

WATCH YOUR POWER METRE REGULARLY:

Regularly checking your electricity metre may be quite helpful in preventing excessive power use that exceeds your specified limitations. Based on your home size and family demands, it's a good idea to set a monthly aim for the amount of units you intend to eat. You may then make the required changes to your consumption patterns after you have a good understanding of your monthly power usage.

AC/DC FANS USAGE IS LOWER IN POWER:

Older fans that are still in use and are running for more than 20 hours a day may be to blame for your higher energy costs. Choosing AC/DC fans can significantly alter the situation. These fans use 99.9% copper wires and as low as 35 Watts of electricity, which will significantly reduce your power expenditures. This results in an energy consumption reduction of up to three times. Additionally, to maximise efficiency, make sure that your wire is of the highest calibre, with copper cores and the appropriate gauge.

UNPLUGGING THE OUT-OF-USE APPLIANCES:

Turning off unused equipment is another efficient summertime method for lowering power costs. Not only should you turn off your TV, but you should also disconnect it. After usage, all chargers, electronics, computers, and appliances should be unplugged. Despite the fact that this knowledge is generally recognised, few people still put it into practise. One of the main causes, aside laziness, is that consumers only save between PKR 100 and PKR 500 when they disconnect their gadgets. You are paying additional money for something that you did not even utilise, if you think at it that way. Even if we have the extra money available, we should keep this in mind.

Examine equipment that consumes more energy

Employ a competent electrician to examine your home anddetermine which area is using more energy and why. People who have lived in the same home for a long time are inclined to neglect fixing worn-out wiring and rusted sockets. These modest yet necessary electrical devices need extra energy. Fix the leaks if you want your house to be energy efficient. Your power costs will go down and the procedure will cost less.