Tips to keep monthly power bill below $50

Straits Times 6 Apr 08;

I refer to the article, 'Power hikes: Low-income families to feel pinch most' (The Sunday Times, March30).

I live alone in a small walk-up apartment. I try to keep my combined power and refuse bill below $50 a month. My new target is below $60.

I do not believe in suffering, nor do I believe in using electricity in ways that do not actually add value or convenience to my life. Here are some of my energy-saving tips:

# Iron only essential items, and only where it is externally visible. For example, I do not iron shirt tails, the bottom 25per cent of a shirt. Also, almost my entire wardrobe is wash-and-wear.

And even though I have a dryer, I line-dry my clothes most of the time.

# There is no need to boil water for drinking. Singapore water is safe to drink from the tap.

If you need to boil water, just boil what you will use immediately. I use a microwave for this. As it does not heat anything else up, it should save money.

# Use a small table-top oven if you like to bake. A small oven is a money-saver and makes for a cooler kitchen too.

I used to bake in a full-size, built-in oven, which was expensive, generated too much heat and made the kitchen hot.

# Use desk or table lamps, so the light is focused where you need it. To avoid tripping over things at night, use low-wattage general lighting bulbs, from 1watt to 7watts.

# Although instant water heaters save the most money, I use a small storage water heater.

I switch it on no more than five minutes before I shower, and the water is warm enough for a quick wash. I make sure I heat up only the amount of water I intend to use.

I don't really do this, but you could also consider washing your clothes and yourself less often. I am sure 100 years ago, people washed much less.

# I like the air-conditioner but I seldom have it on the whole night. I usually switch it on for a little while to cool the room before I sleep. Because the environment is cooler at night, the room is usually still pleasantly cool in the morning.

But in the hot season, the air-con will have to be timed to come on again in the night.

Sleeping lightly clothed, and using a thin sheet of cloth instead of a blanket, can help keep one cool at night.

# I do not own a television set.

Melvin Chew