To counter electricity-bill increases due to higher fuel costs in the next couple of months, Caribbean Utilities Company is urging customers follow its Energy Smart programme.
CUC announced on 10 June that fuel costs are at an all-time high, and that customers can expect an increase in the fuel-adjustment portion of their electricity bills.
‘World fuel prices, which fluctuate according to market conditions, are driven by supply and demand, and CUC’s fuel-adjustment mechanism, which is similar to the process used by electric utilities all over the world, passes on fluctuations in the cost of fuel to customers,’ according to a company press release.
CUC said this year’s fuel-adjustment factor compared to 2004 was up 53 per cent in May, 68 per cent in June and is predicted to be up to 76 per cent for July.
The terms of CUC’s licence call for a two-month lag in all fuel-adjustment changes.
Despite falling fuel prices, consumers will not see that benefit until at least August.
‘The price that CUC paid for fuel in April will not be applied to customers’ bills until June,’ the company said.
CUC said consumers could offset the fuel factor by making their homes more energy efficient.
‘You can cut your usage easily by ten to fifteen per cent by doing simple things,’ said Chief Operating Officer Richard Hew.
CUC’s Energy Smart Co-ordinator Joey Ebanks said a simple walk-through audit of a customer’s home, which CUC offers free of charge, can identify several strategies to lower energy use.
Mr. Ebanks said some of the methods call for regular maintenance of items like air conditioning systems and major appliances, but others methods involve simple lifestyle habits.
‘Energy efficiency has to become habitual,’ he said. ‘Like remembering to shut off lights and fans before you leave for the day.’
Mr. Ebanks said approximately 60 per cent to 70 per cent of electricity costs are attributable to air conditioning, so it is important to maintain the system properly by changing or cleaning filters regularly, and having periodic preventive maintenance.
Keeping the summer heat out of the house is another way to prevent air-conditioning units from staying on as long.
Having double-paned windows, blinds or other kinds of window treatments, and proper exhaust fans in the kitchen, bathroom and for the clothes dryer, all help keep heat out of the house, Mr. Ebanks said.
Making the switch to compact florescent light bulbs rather than regular incandescent bulbs can reduce lighting costs by as much as 75 per cent, CUC says on its Energy Depot Website.
Even though the compact florescent bulbs cost more than incandescent bulbs, the energy savings pay for them in less than 10 months, and they last eight times longer, Mr. Ebanks said.
Hot-water heating is another major consumer of electricity.
‘People should know you don’t have to use hot water to get your clothes clean,’ he said. ‘Detergents today are made to work in cold water.’
Washing and rinsing laundry in cold water costs seven cents, while the same load of laundry done in hot water costs $1.17. A hot wash and a cold rinse still costs 77 cents.
In a single month, savings could add up to more than $25 for a family of four.
Having a hot-water heater on a timer, so that it comes on in the morning and in the evenings, for instance, could save another $40 per month.
‘The timer costs about $40, so it pays for itself the first month,’ Mr. Ebanks said.
Other to reduce electricity use include washing only full loads of dishes or clothes, and cleaning the lint filter on the clothes dryer after every load.
‘You want to look for ways to reduce the need to use energy,’ Mr. Ebanks said.
There are other ways to make homes more energy efficient, such as putting weather stripping around doors and re-caulking windows to make sure they are properly sealed.
Roofs should have insulation on the ceiling Radiant barriers in roofs also work well if they are properly installed, Mr. Ebanks said.
A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one, so customers with little in their refrigerators should put bottles of water in them at the very least, Mr. Ebanks suggested.
Using Energy Smart tips, Mr. Ebanks has reduced his own electricity bill by more than 50 per cent.
CUC offers customers a three-year consumption history, something Mr. Ebanks said can be used as a tool to monitor lower consumption.
Mr. Ebanks also suggested customers read their electric metre before they leave the house in the morning , and again when they return.
Consumers gather an idea of the electricity being used while they are away, and work to reduce it.
A full list of energy-smart tips can be found at CUC’s Energy Depot, which can be found at www.cuc-cayman.com.
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