Kenya Power Manager Commercial, Richard Wida, has outlined the appliances that consume a lot of power and advised on ways to cut power consumption in homes in a video series aimed at educating citizens on power use.
The power guzzlers
According to Wida, the biggest power guzzlers in homes are appliances that generate heat. They include microwaves, which consume up to 2000 watts, and refrigerators that use 100 watts
Electric showers also consume a lot of heat since they require 5000 watts. They consume a lot of power because they heat water quickly. Long showers deplete tokens, and a normal shower should take 5 to 15 minutes to save tokens.
He advised that households with several people who need hot showers should use boilers to heat water.
Iron boxes use 1000 watts and are also among the highest power consumers, especially when used for extended periods; they generate a lot of heat, which translates into high power usage. Wida advises ironing clothes in bulk rather than daily, or ironing clothes that you only need.
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Microwaves, electric kettles, ovens, and cookers fall into the same category. They require high wattage and, therefore, high power consumption.
Refrigerators are designed to use a minimum of 100 watts, depending on the size. They also consume more power as they age; therefore, they need to be replaced as they get older.
Always-On Appliances That Quietly Drain Tokens
Wida highlighted that appliances that are always plugged in have an effect on power usage in homes and offices. Refrigerators and freezers are among the top token consumers since they operate 24 hours a day.
Other devices like televisions, radios, computers, routers, and chargers use low energy and are left plugged in, accumulating invisible energy usage over long periods.
Even lighting can be a significant contributor, especially in homes that still use old, non-LED bulbs. Switching to LED lights, Wida said, can cut power bill costs by more than half.
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Tips to Reduce Power Consumption
Wida advised several practical recommendations to help Kenyans make their tokens last longer. He urged households to:
- Unplug devices when not in use to reduce power consumption.
- Cooking in bulk and using energy-saving appliances in cooking
- Minimizing electric shower time,
- Ironing clothes once or twice a week.
- Regular maintenance of refrigerators and electrical wiring can also prevent unnecessary power losses.
Wida added that reducing monthly consumption not only lowers costs but can also keep households within lower tariff bands, allowing them to receive more token units for the same amount of money.
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