The cost of the electricity bill rises up to 35% between December and May on the Coast of Ecuador: these are the reasons and control keys

Put the lights on the Christmas tree, others on the windows and why not a Santa Claus or a musical reindeer that lights up. All these decorations are turned on every night of the month of December, and even certain families do it from November.

Sometimes they spend more than six hours on and all connected to the same outlet, along with other devices such as televisions and fans, which is a danger.

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As of this month, according to the National Electricity Corporation (CNEL) in Guayaquil, Consumption per kilowatt hour (kWh) tends to increase due to the use of Christmas products, fans and air conditioners due to the arrival of winter. This causes an increase in the invoiced value that is reflected in the return.

Ricardo Rendón, Director of Cadastre and Billing at CNEL EP, mentions that in winter, this is from December to May, there is a higher consumption of electricity. For example, in summer the average is 200 kWh, but in winter it goes up to between 240 and 250 kWh.

Ecuador, sixth in the ranking of residential electricity rates, below Colombia and Peru

“There is the issue of decorations and all the ornamental lighting, but also from January to May there is the use of fans and air conditioners, which in the long run cause an increase in consumption. For example, in Guayaquil, in summer with an average of 190 kWh would be paying $20.52 (consumption value and others) and in winter a 250 kWh would have a bill of $25.44″, explains Rendón.

In other words, there is an average increase of $5 per residential customer if they consume more. Rendón emphasizes that there is a 5% surcharge for the concept of cross-subsidy, in force since 2009 for those who register more than 250 kWh. So, continuing with the $25.44 invoice example would result in $26.71.

Increases of up to 45% in electric bills from one month to the next keep Guayaquil users desperate

“Of course, after December we put the lights away, but we started to turn on the air conditioners,” Rendón mentions, adding that kilowatt hour consumption increases by 31% in winter and in terms of dollars, that is, the payroll value reaches 35%as long as the residential user turns on the appliances more frequently.

“When you consume more than 700 kWh, this rate becomes more exponential,” says Rendón. That consumption would end up at $86.59, according to the CNEL simulator on its website, where there are other additional values ​​such as public lighting, marketing and others.

According to CNEL, In Guayaquil there are a total of 709,741 customers, of which 626,981 are residential. Of these, more than 600,000, there are 107,265 that have the dignity rate, 19,160 with the subsidy by the Organic Law on Disabilities and 58,604 of the elderly.

The dignity rate applies to natural persons who use energy for residential purposes and whose consumption is up to 130 kWh on the Coast, East and Insular; and in the Sierra to a limit of 110 kWh per month. The disability consists of being exempted from paying 50% of the value of electricity consumption of a meter up to 50% of a unified basic remuneration.

And the one for the elderly is aimed at residential customers who have reached 65 years of age. They are exonerated 50% of the value of the consumption of electricity from a meter up to 138 kWh per month.

“Only by changing consumption habits I cannot have a significant increase”, recommends Rendón, and adds that the ornaments or Christmas artifacts must be led just to minimize the final value.

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with this agrees Jesús López, dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences of the UISEK. “The most appropriate technology is LED, that allows to obtain different colors and degrees of lighting efficiently”, he points out.

He adds that another important issue is that use quality Christmas lights to ensure safety and prevent potential accidents. And that be turned on only when you are at home. “Indoor lights can be turned on when we are at home. It is absurd to keep them on in our absence. The outdoor ones I leave it to the taste and pocket of each family, without exceeding it ”, she expresses.

What should I do when I receive two debit or credit cards or when I record unauthorized consumption?

However, Javier Martínez, professor of the Master’s Degree in Environmental and Energy Management of Organizations at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR), Consider that if the goal is not to consume more than normal, then you have to set priorities. “If we have to choose between connecting a decorative element or an appliance that helps us prepare food, it is important to know how to prioritize,” he points out.

But, he indicates, for those who love “the Christmas spirit” they can schedule the power on of equipment using timers, sensors, or even date selectors.

Recommendations on the use of Christmas items and savings on the payroll:

• The ignition must always be linked to an absence of light. Like indoor artificial lighting, light should not be wasted when there is natural light.
• Use reasonable ignition times, but without excess.
• Check electrical installations. There are usually internal leaks and consumption is reflected on the meter.
• Remember that even when the appliances are connected, there is a minimum consumption of kWh.

Risks:

• Do not overload outlets. Connect maximum three items.
• If they are poor quality products that do not meet international standards, it can cause electric shocks and even short circuits in some cases. It is important to select equipment that meets these standards.
• They are usually equipment that we handle more frequently. They are placed and collected every year, and in that process they are always more vulnerable to breaks, separations, cable breaks, loss of insulation. This can always carry short circuit risks.
• You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions and preserve the objects from situations of excessive handling, following the technical prescriptions. (YO)