TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Power Company's (Taipower, 台電) Taichung Branch (台電台中區處) reported on Monday (Sept. 9) a 274% increase in summer electricity bill complaints compared to spring, mirroring last year's trend.
However, Taipower reported that by late August, only 114 households in Beitun District (北屯區) saw their bills skyrocket from hundreds to thousands of New Taiwan dollars due to missed meter readings.
This summer, record-high temperatures in Taiwan led residents to heavily use appliances to stay cool, resulting in soaring electricity bills. A social media user shared on Threads that despite installing an inverter air conditioner this year, their bill increased from NT$16,000 last summer to NT$20,000, sparking online debate.
The Taichung Branch also noted that refrigerators and electric water heaters significantly consume electricity in addition to air conditioners.
They advised residents to open windows to dissipate heat upon returning home, close curtains before leaving to block heat, and use fans to circulate air before turning on the air conditioner.
Finally, setting the temperature between 26 to 28 degrees Celsius can optimize energy use, Taipower said.
