Save up up 29% on your electricity bill by following these tips from DECO, the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection
Save money on your electricity bill / Ashes Sitoula on Unsplash
Save money on your electricity bill / Ashes Sitoula on Unsplash

We already know that in Portugal, 2020 is going to be a year that sees some lower household expenses in certain areas and this includes cheaper electricity bills. According to DECO, the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection "the savings can reach 2,226 euros per year," and with the implication of some measures, electricity bills in Portuguese households may be reduced by 29%.

"If all households were to take our advice, 5.5 terawatt-hours of energy produced, corresponding to 29% of Portugal's residential energy consumption, could be saved. We hope that more Portuguese people will embrace the change", stated DECO in a recent publication.

It is also claimed that using renewable energy sources may be the best solution to save energy. The experts in consumer protection, DECO, entered the home of 24 families with settled habits and routines, and this is what happened: "We launched a renewable energy challenge for all the families participating; those who already use equipment with renewable energy sources and those who do not yet know the potential of renewable energy. Once the families had been selected, we visited them to learn about their energy consumable equipment and consumption habits. In that visit, we also installed an electrical consumption monitoring device, allowing us to collect, in real time, the history of electricity consumption 24 hours a day". 

The result, as mentioned above, resulted in a 29% saving in their electricity bills, with over 300 customised methods to help reduce energy costs. 

Have a look at some of the tips and advice that contributed to lower energy consumption and, consequently, a reduced electricity bill:

  • Turn equipment and appliances off at the switch. Do not simply leave them on stand-by
  • Replace old, energy-inefficient appliances 
  • Make sure that the hot water distribution pipes in your property continue to have good insulation
  • Keep the water heater temperature regulator in the "ECO" position or at the closest possible temperature to that used in the tap
  • Install flow reducers on taps and shower heads certified by ANQIP (National Association for Quality in Building Installations)
  • Prevent leaks and dripping taps as much as possible
  • Consider installing hot water production systems from renewable energy sources (solar, thermal, heat pump or a biomass boiler, for example)
  • In winter, take advantage of the sun by opening the curtains and/or window blinds during the day and closing them at night. In summer, close the curtains and/or window blinds during the day and at night open the windows to cool the house
  • Reinforce the insulation of walls and floors
  • If necessary, install heating systems that use renewable energy (air conditioning and pellet heating systems, for example)
  • Promote the renewal of the air in your house on a daily basis
  • Defrost the fridge and freezer regularly
  • Wash clothes at low temperatures
  • Use the ECO programme on the dishwasher and at a low temperature
  • Dry clothes on a clothesline instead of in a tumble dryer