As summer electric costs soar in Hawaii, DCA has ways to save

HONOLULU (KHON2) — On the islands, we’re saddled with the highest electricity rates in the nation. Add that on top of our other costs of living, and it’s painful, especially in the summertime when we try to cool off. But there are some good ways to keep your bill from getting too hot.

Michael Angelo, the executive director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Consumer Advocacy, joined Take2 Wednesday morning with tips to save.

“The Division of Consumer Advocacy is a state agency that represents, protects, and advances the interests of all consumers of regulated utility and transportation industries before the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and other regulatory bodies,” Angelo said. “One of the many things we do is work to ensure utility services are delivered safely, reliably, affordably, equitably, and aligned with the state’s clean energy goals. We also help to provide consumers with knowledge and resources to help empower and navigate them through challenging economic situations,”

Summertime can bring higher electric bills when residents use more air conditioning to cool off, or their refrigerators work harder to keep items cold.

“There are many tips and tricks consumers can use at home to reduce their energy bills at home. For example, even small things like replacing old incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs and keeping the refrigerator temp between 36°F and 42°F and the freezer temp between -5°F and +6°F will help you save on energy costs. Washing full loads of laundry in cold water instead of hot water and keeping your water heater set to 120°F will help you save energy on heating water. We also suggest using ceiling fans and natural ventilation whenever possible to reduce reliance on air conditioning,” Angelo said.

There are also programs available that can help some save on their energy costs.

“Hawaiian Electric (HECO) currently offers a handful of resources and programs available on their website, such as an Energy Consumption Calculator, Energy Savings Toolkit, and details on the Shift and Save Program and Special Medical Needs Rate Program (SMNP). Their online portal called “My Energy Use” is a really great tool for customers to view and track their energy use,” Angelo said. “We also suggest visiting other direct utility assistance and household financial resources such as Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), Hawai’i Energy Efficiency Tips and Rebate Programs, and Honolulu BWS Water Sensible Program. There are also a number of nonprofit organizations that offer utility relief programs and assistance such as Catholic Charities Hawai’i, Aloha United Way, and The Salvation Army.”

For more energy savings tips, you can visit their Facebook page or the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Consumer Advocacy’s website.