01/08/2024 – 17:06
Despite having full hydroelectric plant reservoirs, the electricity bill will rise in 2024. According to the Brazilian Association of Large Energy Consumers (Abrace), the increase could reach 10.41%, depending on legal discussions about credits of taxes. The entity's expectation is that the average increase in the country will be 6.58%.
+Importing energy through Âmbar can bring savings of up to R$1 billion per year on your electricity bill
Both values are above the official inflation expectation (IPCA) for this year, which is 3.9%. In 2023, the index was 4.53%. According to the consultancy Thymus Energia, the average increase in the value of the monthly energy tariff should be 4.8% in 2024. Also according to the consultancy, in the South region the increase could be greater and reach 7.6%.
Another forecast, this time from TR Soluções, carried out through the Energy Tariff Estimation Service (SETE), estimates that the increase in electricity bills should be, on average, 7.61% across Brazil. “In 2024, residential consumers should notice a positive variation of up to 11.5% in most dealerships”, announced the company.
The difference in projections for adjustments — from 4.8% to 10.4% — occurs because Congress approved, in 2022, a complementary law directing consumers to a credit of R$60 billion, due to a charge that was considered undue of ICMS on the PIS/Cofins calculation basis, in the so-called “thesis of the century”.
The Brazilian Association of Energy Distributors (Abradee), however, claims that these resources belong to the distributors because they were the ones who paid the taxes and filed the lawsuit in 2002. Around R$40 billion have already been used by several distributors, which helped with an average drop of 8.3% in electricity bills in 2023. Another R$20 billion can still be directed to consumers in the coming years. The decision, however, is pending before the Federal Supreme Court (STF).
Furthermore, fuller reservoirs should result in cheaper energy due to the reduced need to activate thermoelectric plants, which are more expensive sources. The problem, according to consultants, is the growth of so-called “system charges”, such as the Energy Development Account (CDE), with subsidies that need to be shared among all consumers.
See below the estimated average increase in the value of the electricity bill in 2024 (by region):
- South Region: 7.6% increase;
- North Region: 6.7% increase;
- Southeast Region: 4.7% increase;
- Central-West Region: 4.7% increase;
- Northeast Region: 1.95% increase.
How to save on your electricity bill, according to Órigo Energia:
1. Use LED bulbs
Use LED lamps in your home or business. They are usually 80% more economical than incandescent ones and 30% more economical than fluorescent ones. With its popularity, the item became more accessible, and can be found for as little as R$5.
2. Unplug electronics
Even in stand-by function, the electronics still continue to consume energy. And if you think this consumption is low, know that, together, all the electronics in your home in standby mode can be responsible for up to 12% of light consumption.
3. Make the most of natural light
Make the most of the sunlight. To do this, it is worth painting some rooms in the house white or light colors, which help to reflect sunlight. Furthermore, some attitudes, such as using translucent curtains, moving some furniture around and keeping windows open, help to avoid lamps being turned on during the day.
4. Reduce the time and frequency of some devices
Try to gather enough clothes to fill the washing machine to reduce the number of uses. You can also set a target time in the shower and turn it off on hot days, as well as ironing more clothes at once to avoid constantly turning on the iron.
5. If you can, hire a solar energy service
A clean, renewable and cheap source of energy, today it is possible to hire a solar energy service in a simple and 100% digital way. This modality, which has already gained many followers in Brazil, can generate monthly savings on your electricity bill.
6. Use air conditioning sparingly
Saving energy with air conditioning can be a challenge, as it is one of the household appliances that consume the most energy and impact expenses. To keep the environment ventilated, it uses, on average, 800 watts of electricity, generating a considerable increase in the electricity bill.
Therefore, even during periods of heat wave, it is important to use it in moderation, measuring the times of use and alternating it with the fan to avoid an accumulation of costs. Furthermore, it is crucial to clean the filter regularly to improve performance and make the best use of the device, without wasting hours of use.
7. Save time in the shower
The shower is another classic example of equipment that consumes a lot of electricity. This way, to save money, you can reduce your shower time and take breaks, closing it at times when you will carry out longer procedures, such as soaping yourself.
Furthermore, it is important that the resistance of the device is not burnt out, as material wear increases electricity consumption and can cause accidents.
8. Save energy with the refrigerator
The refrigerator is an appliance that needs to be plugged in at all times. However, one way to save energy is to check that there is no accumulation of ice on the walls, as this makes it difficult for the appliance to function properly and requires more energy to cool the food.
Furthermore, do not place it in places close to the heat source, such as ovens and stoves, as this causes cold air and hot air to come into contact and change the temperature.
9. Moderate the use of an electric iron
The iron helps in everyday life, but, as practical and useful as it is, it should not be used excessively. The rule is clear: if you're not using it, turn it off. Even if you alternate between turning it on for a while to iron some clothes and then stopping, this practice can generate excessive energy consumption.
Therefore, it is better that you gather as many clothes as possible to iron at once or avoid using the iron with many appliances on at the same time, as this reduces the overload on the network.
10. Choose efficient appliances.
Although changes in routine habits help, one of the best ways to save energy is to opt for products that guarantee lower consumption — or that charge less for the time of use.
Therefore, do your research and try to purchase more efficient appliances. A good strategy is to observe the product information, such as the energy label.
Shower is the biggest villain
According to the electrical engineer, partner and co-founder of Engehall Elétrica, André Mafra, who gave the options for saving on the electricity bill, the shower represents the biggest villain.
In this case, the specialist recommends investing in a solar or gas heating system that eliminates the need for electricity in the shower.
“On average, a heating kit for these baths costs around 5 to 7 thousand reais. You can even finance the entire amount at the bank and the savings
pay for the payment of the heating system”, advises Mafra.
Installing a gas shower can still represent a cost, but it tends to be less than electricity, in the expert's opinion. Plus, of course, you save on shower time. If the bills do not decrease even with the tips, Mafra recommends evaluating a possible electrical current leak.
“Current leakage can occur due to either a cable insulation failure or a poorly made splice. This happens because the copper part of the conductor comes into contact with some part that is grounded, such as a wall or an iron rebar, and this energy starts to be conducted there directly to the ground, that is, its energy is “ running straight into the ground, like a leaky pipe, increasing your electricity bill”, he explains.
To find the possible leak, the consumer must call a professional electrician, as he must follow careful steps to identify the problem.
#Electricity #bills #rise #save #consumption
