Bad appliances causing high bills – Study

A team of researchers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, has conducted a study which shows that the use of inefficient electrical appliances is the main cause of high electricity bills in households and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.

Their research stated that many households/SMEs in Ghana use refrigerators and air-conditioners which either have very low star ratings or have no energy labels.

For lighting systems, the report said that many of the light bulbs on the market are sub-standard with high energy consumption.

The study suggested that people who use refrigerators and air-conditioners always check that the appliances have energy labels on them with a 3-star or higher rating to enable them to save energy. For light bulbs, people have been advised to use LEDs.

The Project Coordinator, Dr Richard Opoku of the KNUST Energy Centre, said on Friday, 16 November 2018 that as part of their work, they are rolling out a corporate social responsibility project dubbed: “Energy Efficiency for Households/SMEs in Kumasi”. It involves visiting about 6,000 households and SMEs in Kumasi to give them free energy efficiency advice that will help them save 30 – 40% of money spent on electricity bills.

He mentioned that the exercise will educate people on how to buy and efficiently use electrical appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, air-conditioners, electrical irons, fans, light bulbs, microwaves, hair dryers, amongst others, to save energy.