Rising heat sees rising electricity bills for households

SHAH ALAM - The ongoing heatwave in the country has been affecting Malaysians leading to a surge in electricity bills.

A survey conducted by Sinar found many residents have resorted to using fans and air conditioning regularly to reduce temperature in their homes.

Businesswoman Nor Hidayati Mohd Azmi, 41, said her electricity bills have gone up due to increased usage of air conditioning and fans to combat the heatwave.

“I will not surprise if my electricity bill hikes up by RM200 because the weather has been too hot, forcing my family to use air conditioning to cool our homes.

“I would use air conditioning mainly at night before sleeping but now we use it throughout the day and in each room,” she told Sinar.

Despite her efforts to monitor electricity usage, Hidayati said she had to prioritise her health over energy conservation due to the intense heat, which can lead to heat strokes, among other health issues.

Housewife, Nor Fatihah Sudin, 43, reported a 50 per cent increase in her electricity bill during the heatwave.

She did not use air conditioning in the past as she was concerned over the additional cost it would add to her monthly expenditures. However, the intense heatwave has forced her to start using it regularly, which has resulted in a significant increase in her electricity bills.

"It is an unavoidable burden,” she said.

Housewife Hamidah Jaafar, 43, said the recent surge in her electricity bill due to the heatwave has prompted her to reconsider her monthly expenses and find ways to avoid running out of funds.

Businessman Afiq Izzudin Khan Mohamed Noor Khan, 25, said the recent increase in electricity bill was due to a combination of factors, including the heatwave and Raya celebrations.

“As the host I want guests to feel comfortable and not complain about the weather being too hot,” he explained.

Housewife Diza Sabaruddin, 43, said her electricity bills have doubled compared to the previous month.

“I expected the abnormal electricity bill due to heatwave causing consistent air conditioning usage,” she said.