Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has once again assured its customers relief after it announced a 36-centavo rate reduction for this month. This reduction is the second month of decreases in a row, the lowest levels since Aug 2017.
Last month’s P8.6793 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) rates went down to P8.3195 per kWh for March, translating to a savings of around P72 for residential customers using 200 kWh.
The rate decrease largely comes from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) conditionally approving Meralco’s proposal to refund to its customers around P13.9 billion; an amount computed between the distribution utility’s Actual Weighted Average Tariff (AWAT) and the ERC-approved Interim Average Rate for distribution-related charges from July 2015 to November 2020.
Residential customers will be getting back P0.2761 per kWh in the course of 24 months (or until the amount is fully returned.) This itemized amount can be identified on monthly statements under “Dist True-Up.”
The hot summer months soon upon us, MERALCO is reminding everyone to exercise prudent use of electricity. Historically, summer season sees a jump in residential consumption of 10% to 40% versus the cooler months of January and February.
As featured on this month’s Meralco Advisory, as temperatures rise, appliances with compressors like air conditioners or refrigerators work harder. Electric fans are also used longer and often at “high” setting to beat the summer heat.
According to Meralco FVP and Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz, “this summer, you have the power to continue practicing energy efficiency initiatives at home and be ready in managing consumption.”
Meralco created the Meralco Mobile App that features a calculator that estimates the power consumption of home appliances, and its website offers several tips on efficient energy use.
Among these tips include: “cleaning air-con filters every two weeks to ensure optimal performance, setting air-con’s thermostat to 25°C to maximize efficiency, using the right aircon size for a room, making sure a refrigerator’s air vents are not blocked to keep its compressor from working harder, unplugging appliances when not in use to avoid phantom load, using a power strip to make it easier and more convenient to turn appliances off simultaneously with just one switch, and maximizing natural light during daytime,” closed Geluz.
