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Tag: electricity bills

  • FULL STEPS: How to escape high electricity bills, switch​ to gas-powered generators

    FULL STEPS: How to escape high electricity bills, switch​ to gas-powered generators

    Following the increase in tariff, Nigerians have applied all methods to reduce electricity consumption and save units, especially for those using pre-paid meters.

    This has made many to subscribe to gas-powered electricity generators for day-to-day production activities.

    Those who use gas to power their generators experience a quieter operation, resulting in reduced noise levels. Additionally, gas-powered generators do not emit smoke, making them a cleaner alternative. 

    Furthermore, regular oil changes can contribute to less frequent servicing requirements compared to petrol generators.

    While gas-powered generators offer cost savings and environmental benefits, it is essential to prioritize safety throughout the conversion process and during operation.

    Conversion Process and Cost Considerations:

    The process of changing the carburetor is quite easy, any good generator mechanic can do it, but the trick is in getting it to work properly. 

    Once the dual-fuel carburetor is in place, the next is to embark on a process of tuning and calibration. This iterative process involves fine-tuning various parameters, such as air-fuel mixture and ignition timing, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency for LPG operation.

    a. The conversion of existing generators: Replacing the fuel carburetor with a hybrid carburetor that allows the generator to function on both petrol and gas.

    b. Price disparity due to imported components and associated factors.

    c. Cost breakdown for conversion kits and cylinder setup.

    d. Consideration for different engine types and the compatibility of existing conversion kits.

    The following guidelines outline key safety precautions to ensure safe and efficient use of gas-powered generators in Nigeria:

    Selection of Qualified Technicians:

    Engage the services of qualified technicians with expertise in generator conversion and LPG systems.

    Verify the technician’s knowledge and experience in adhering to recognized safety standards.

    Avoid patronizing untrustworthy sources lacking proper knowledge or experience.

    Compliance with Connection Standards and Regulations:

    Select appropriate conversion kits tailored for the specific engine being converted.

    Ensure the conversion kit aligns with the correct connection standards and regulations.

    Use regulators and components that meet recognized safety standards to maintain system integrity.

    Handling and Installation:

    Ensure correct handling and installation of gas-powered generators by following proper procedures.

    Verify the compatibility of the generator and the conversion kit to prevent potential issues.

    Properly secure the generator to prevent vibration-induced movement, especially for older generators.

    Avoid placing the generator near combustible materials and maintain a reasonable separation distance between the engine and the gas cylinder.

    Use of Regulators with Excess Flow Shut-off Valves:

    Opt for regulators equipped with excess flow shut-off valves to detect unusual gas flow or hose disconnection.

    The shut-off valve prevents gas from flowing freely, minimizing potential risks and hazards.

    Summarily, the change in the generator carburetor can facilitate this switch. Some individuals may choose to retain the carburetor and add a converter, enabling the generator to run on both fuels. Others may opt to use gas directly. 

    Qualified technicians should be sought to perform these conversions, rather than relying on just anyone. Ideally, the physical conversion of your generating set from petrol to natural gas is not a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) undertaking. The Gas cylinder has to be kept in an open environment at a safe distance from the generator

  • Five ways to avoid high Electricity Bills

    Five ways to avoid high Electricity Bills

    President Bola Tinubu on Monday advised Nigerians to enhance their management skills to reduce electricity bills.

    Tinubu stated this in a chat with reporters at his Bourdillon residence in the affluent Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

    He said, “It’s not negative to learn to manage. You learn to control your electricity bill, and switch off the lights, so let’s learn to manage.” 

    Here are five ways to manage your electricity:

    1. Energy-saving electronics:

    Note that using energy-saving equipment for household items such as bulbs, inverters, fridges, and other devices is an excellent way to manage your power costs.

    2. Turn Off Lights When Not in Use – Switching off the lights when not in use is especially important for those who use tungsten filament (regular) bulbs compared to LED lights. It takes 16 hours for a regular bulb to consume 1 kilowatt of electricity; meanwhile, it takes 66 hours for an LED light to consume 1 kilowatt of electricity.  Therefore, it is crucial to switch off the lights when not in use, especially during daylight.

    3. Don’t Leave Appliances on Standby:

    The Nigerian Electricity System Operator has emphasised that unplugging electronic devices when not in use is a cost-effective way to manage electricity, whether you are metered or not. It is important to be aware of appliances that use up to 50% of power even when they are on standby.

    Read Also: Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission gets board

    4. Minimise Usage of Air Conditioners and Electric Water Heaters:

    Electricity users can ventilate during the night or early in the morning to store coolness for the day. When windows and doors are open, warm air from outside can enter their space. This creates a constant exchange of air and reduces strain on your AC unit. Also, use water heaters only when necessary. Lower the temperature of your water heater to conserve energy used for heating water.

    5. Explore Other Alternatives:

    Those who can afford the installation of solar panels or inverters should consider this option. Nowadays, there are also appliances such as air conditioners, fridges, and washing machines that operate on a Low Voltage System (LVS). These appliances help you save on electricity. Additionally, check the standby consumption when buying appliances or asking for energy-efficient devices.

  • Eight common mistakes that increase your electricity bills

    Eight common mistakes that increase your electricity bills

    Do you find yourself asking why your electricity bill keeps rising every month? Many Nigerians on different Bands during this period may be feeling the financial pressure with rising inflation and everyday goods becoming increasingly expensive.

    Managing electricity costs is more important than ever. However, several common mistakes could be driving those bills even higher. 

    Here are 8 common mistakes that can lead to higher electricity costs and tips on how to avoid them.

    1. Leaving appliances on when not in use

    Many individuals leave lights, fans and other devices running when they’re not needed, leading to increased energy costs. To minimise waste, turn off all appliances at the power strip or ensure that lights in empty rooms are switched off.

    2. Ignoring energy-saving light bulbs 

    Incandescent bulbs consume more electricity than energy-efficient options like LED or CFL bulbs. Although the initial investment may be higher, energy-efficient bulbs lower long-term electricity usage and costs due to their reduced power consumption and longer lifespan.

    3. Excessive use of air conditioning

    Air conditioners are significant energy consumers. To save money, set them to a moderate temperature and use fans to help circulate air and cool rooms more effectively.

    Read Also: Mutfwang signs two electricity bills into laws

    4. Neglecting regular maintenance

    Poorly maintained appliances, such as air conditioners with dirty filters, have to work harder and consume more energy. Regular maintenance helps keep them operating efficiently, reducing energy costs.

    5. Using outdated or inefficient appliances

    Older appliances often use more electricity. Upgrading to newer models with an Energy Star label can result in substantial energy savings over time.

    6. Running half-empty appliances

    Using your washing machine, dishwasher or dryer with small loads wastes energy since these appliances use nearly the same amount of power whether full or half-full.

    7. Setting your water heater temperature too high

    Water heaters consume a significant amount of energy, especially when set to unnecessarily high temperatures. Many people set their water heater to maximum heat, which can lead to increased electricity costs.

    8. Overloading circuits 

    Plugging too many devices into a single outlet or power strip can lead to increased energy consumption and inefficiencies. Ensure that circuits are not overloaded to optimize power usage and reduce costs.

     By paying attention to these frequent mistakes, Nigerians can take proactive measures to effectively control their prepaid meter bills. With a little awareness and effort, it is entirely feasible to enjoy the comforts of modern living while keeping expenses in check.

  • EEDC urges landlords to ensure tenants clear electricity bills

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company has appealed to landlords, caretakers and agents of property to ensure that their out-going tenants clear all electricity bills before leaving the house.

    EEDC Head of Communication Mr Emeka Ezeh made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday.

    Ezeh noted that the appeal became necessary as some tenants had made it a habit to pass the bulk of their unpaid bills to new, unsuspecting tenants to settle.

    He also called on in-coming tenants to ensure that the new apartment or property they were moving into “is not  indebted to the company.”

    “Tenants moving into new property should ensure they are duly registered and not indebted to EEDC.

    “This is to avoid inheriting unpaid electricity bills and being disconnected as a result.

    “Landlords are to ensure tenants clear accumulated electricity bills before vacating their property to avoid passing unpaid bills to incoming tenants,’’ he said.

    According to him, members of the public can make further enquire about settlement of bills by calling 084700100 or log in www.enugudisco.com.

  • New security features on EEDC’s electricity bills

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has put new security features on its modified electricity bills issued to its customers in its coverage areas.

    The Head, Communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, said this in a statement he signed in Enugu.

    Ezeh said that the new modified electricity bill for its customers was meant to check bill manipulation as well as other forms of sophisticated fraud.

    He said that the modified bill and its special outlook was part of the company’s continuous effort to introduce initiatives geared towards ensuring enjoyable customer experience.

    “The refreshed two-sided A5 sized electricity bill takes effect from September, 2017, with some new features.

    “These new features include a summary of previous balance and last payment made by the customer, a barcode which is a security feature.

    “It also contains details of feeder and transformer; name and phone number of the marketer in charge as well as pictorial representation of customer’s meter reading.

    “At the back side of the bill is the EEDC call center number as well as address of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) forum offices within EEDC coverage area, including their phone numbers and email addresses.

    “The new modified electricity bill contains details of respective reconnection fees and other relevant information for the customer,’’ he said.

    Ezeh said that as part of the initiative to create technological driven innovations, the company would soon deliver electricity bills to customers via email prior to their receiving the hard copy.

    “For now, our customers now receive notification alert on their phones acknowledging payment of electricity bills made; and this comes at no cost to the customer.

    “We, therefore, encourage our customers who are not yet enjoying this service to go ahead and update their data via our website or at any of our customer service points,” he said.

  • NUPENG moves against ‘crazy’ electricity bills

    NUPENG moves against ‘crazy’ electricity bills

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers ((NUPENG) has threatened to mobilise Nigerians against unjustifiable electricity bills  charged by power distribution companies (DISCOS).

    President of the union, Comrade Igwe Achese, who spoke in Lagos, regretted that consumers are not enjoying the services they are being exorbitantly charged for by the power providers.

    Achese lambasted the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for exhibiting a lack-lustre attitude to enforcing better service delivery to electricity consumers.

    He said: “These fraudulent bills are putting more hardship, especially on the masses who cannot even afford three square-meals a day, but have to cough out money for electricity they didn’t get.

    “The exploitative attitude of the new power distribution companies is unjust, oppressive, uncalled for and not in tune with the energy reforms of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

  • Consumers groan over increased electricity bills

    Consumers groan over increased electricity bills

    How much should be the appropriate electricity bill for a consumer without a metre per month? This is the question many consumers who believe they are being charged, what they called crazy bills are asking.

    Consumers who live in mini-, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom apartments were made to pay between N12,000 and N14,000 per month, depending on the areas and policies of the Distribution Companies(DISCOs).Those who live in duplexes pay about N20,000. Early last year, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria(PHCN) imposed N7,000 and N10,000 on occupants of three-bedroom and duplex apartments in Egbeda suburb, Lagos.

    These bills include Value Added Tax, meter maintainance charge, even though most consumers do not have meters. Also included is the reconnection fee of between N1,000 and N2,000 charged consumers who were disconnected for not presenting bills.

    Sources said PHCN officials are delaying the issuance of pre-paid meters to enable them generate enough revenue for their districts or zones.

    A consumer, Mr Adeoye Lawal, a lawyer, said he was paying N13,500 on his three-bedroom apartment in Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos until early this year when he secured a single-phase pre-paid meter.

    Adeoye said efforts to get the meter was abortive until January when he threatened to expose some PHCN officials.

    ‘’From my observations, PHCN officials are hoarding the meters. Though they may not have enough, they are hoarding them to make money. I applied for a meter three years ago. Where did they get the one they gave me after the threat? he asked.

    Also, a staff member of the Nigerian Bottling Company in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, Mr Ibrahim Akana, said consumers are burdened by huge electricity bills, adding that consumers who do not have meters pay heavily.

    He said getting pre-paid meters was a big problem because PHCN officials demand bribe before they issue them.

    ‘’Perhaps there would be changes in electricity supply when the distribution companies start operations in the last quarter of the year. Consumers are waiting for improvement in metres and power supply as the privitisation process continues,’’ he said.

    A consumer said: “I do not see why I should be made to pay additional N12,000 per month for using a television set, a refrigerator, iron and few bulbs. This is corruption of the highest order. This matter should be investigated to save people from the agony of paying for unconsumed electricity.”

    While justifying the huge bill, a senior official of PHCN Abule Odu, Lagos District, who spoke on condition of annoymity, said the inability to determine the consumption level of users made PHCN to review the bills on several occasions.

    He said: ‘’It is easier to look at analog meters and know the amount of energy consumed by the users.Those that use pre-paid meters know how much they have consumed because they buy cards and load it. However, consumers without meters are given estimated bill as determined by the PHCN district offices. It is not possible for our officials to be entering the rooms of our consumers to count their electrical appliances. Though some consumers use lesser energy, others use much more. As a result, we rely on human judgement while charging consumers. ‘’Each district office is given a target; this puts them under pressure. To meet the targets, we have to increase the bill and disconnect light randomly to make consumers pay their bills. Nobody is ready to lose his/her job. if you continue to give excuses that you are unable to meet the targets due to one reason or the other, you could be sacked. That is the reason heads of PHCN zonal offices have a strong revenue generation drive,” he added.

    According to him, some consumers, especially those living in two-storey and enclosed buildings are happy paying estimated bills.

    ‘’The reason is because they are using objects that consume electricity heavily, according to our investigations. Such consumers know that they would pay higher when they use pre-paid meters.

    If you tell them to apply for meters, they would be reluctant to do so. The only way to make our money is to give a flat rate. Some people have to pay for the sin of others,’’ he added.

    The Chief Executive officer, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Oladele Amoda, said the zone had implemented Credit Advance Payment for Metering Installation(CAMPI) to enable customers to access electricity.

    He said the idea would help in preventing shortage in prepaid meters.