An unexpected increase in electricity costs can be confusing, particularly if you believe that your household’s electricity usage is average.

But, have you ever wondered that a small habit can be the main cause? Conserving energy does not only help you reduce electricity bills but also the negative impacts on the environment and preserve the energy for the future. 

In fact, according to Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM), electricity consumption per person in Indonesia keeps increasing, from 1,173 kWh in 2022 to 1,285 kWh in  2023. 

This reveals that the electricity consumption is getting higher, consciously or not. To get to know more about the cause of high electricity bills and how to save electricity at home, read this article until the end!

Cause of High Electricity Bills

Many reasons are causing your electricity bills to keep spiking, such as letting your cable in the socket or using old-edition electronics. Here are the complete explanations:

1. Leaving the Cable in the Socket

Did you know that electronics continue to consume electricity even when they are turned off but still plugged in? Television, fans, and other devices connected to your power plug will consume electricity because they will be in alert mode. 

Moreover, electronics in alert mode can contribute to 10% of the total electricity consumption at home. Thus, unplug the cable after using the electronics to prevent higher electricity bills.

2. Leaving the Lamps On

Turning the lamps on in an unattended room becomes one of the causes of high electricity bills. Therefore, do not forget to switch them off and make sure that all lamps are off when you are going out to save more energy. 

In addition, you had better use CFL or LED lamps because they are more energy-saving than bulbs. LED’s life cycle is also up to ten thousand hours. 

Read also: Solar Panels, Renewable Energy Sources with Countless Benefits!

3. Too Frequently Opening Fridge

One of the behaviors that wastes electricity is opening the refrigerator too frequently. Furthermore, since the refrigerator requires more energy to cool hot food, it is not advised to place it directly inside. Additionally, an empty refrigerator left on can waste about 103 kWh of electricity.

4. Leaving the Fans On

Fans are indeed more energy-saving, but if you let them on for a long time, it will cost more eventually. Despite not being used, energy is still wasted and may increase your electricity costs. Thus, while the fan is not in use, make sure to switch it off.

5. Using Old-Edition Electronics

Old-edition electronics cost more electricity because the technology is not as efficient as the recent edition. Those electronics need more energy to work compared to the latest edition which is more energy-saving. 

The Impacts of Electricity Waste

If you waste your electricity, you might experience some negative impacts, from global warming to high electricity bills. Below are the explanations:

1. Global Warming

The use of fossil fuels to produce electricity will emit greenhouse gas emissions, worsening global emissions. Global warming will lead to extreme weather, such as floods, drought, and bad thunderstorms.

2. Blackout

Electricity waste can lead to blackouts. If the electricity demand is too high and surpasses the capacity, the electricity system will be unstable, disturbing daily activities, as well as harming important businesses and services. 

Read also: Top 5 Asian Cities Leading in Electricity Consumption

3. Lack of Energy Reserves in the Future

Future energy supplies will rapidly deplete if we keep using electricity excessively without considering efficiency. This can result in a severe energy shortage issue for the following generation.

4. High Electricity Bills

High electricity consumption will result in high electricity bills. The more electricity is consumed, the more cost you will spend. This will harm your financial condition. 

How to Save Electricity at Home

By saving electricity, you can reduce your electricity bills and contribute to combating climate change and the negative impacts on the environment. 

Many steps you can do to save electricity at home, from appropriately turning lamps on to limiting high-power electronics use. Here is the complete explanation:

1. Turning Off the Electronics

The first step of how to save electricity at home is turning the electronics off when done using, such as unplugging the charger wire of your phone or laptop. 

2. Switching the Lamps on Appropriately

Turning the lamps on when needed can save more energy. For example, switch the lamps off when going out or sleeping. Alternatively, you can use a dimmer and low-energy lamp. 

3. Turning the AC on Appropriately

The next step of how to save electricity at home is turning the AC on appropriately. You can install ventilations or open the windows to make the room cooler without using AC frequently. 

4. Choosing LED Lamps

To be more energy-saving, you can choose LED lamps over bulbs. LED lamps are considered to be more electricity saving, up to 90%. Besides, LED lamps are more eco-friendly because they do not contain mercury. 

5. Limiting the Use of High-Power Electronics

To save electricity, you can limit the use of high-power electronics, such as AC, washing machine, or television. This can reduce energy consumption in daily life. 

Those are the information about causes of high electricity bills and how to save electricity at home. By understanding the disregarded small habits, you can make a simple change with a big impact. 

To support more environmentally friendly energy usage, PT Krakatau Chandra Energy which is the subsidiary of Chandra Asri Group also takes part in this transition. It aligns with the government’s target of reaching net zero emissions in 2060. 

PT Krakatau Chandra Energi provides various services supporting eco-friendly energy, such as solar panels and charging stations for electric vehicles in Jakarta and Cilegon. 

As a Warga Asri, you can also contribute to a more convenient environment by saving electricity. Let’s start with small steps for a better future by joining Indonesia Asri! Register yourself now!

Read also: 8 Environmental Actions in School You Must Try, Take Note!