With the new electricity tariff structure officially implemented by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) on July 1, many Malaysians have been seeking ways to reduce their monthly bills.
While the government has assured that the new tariff system is designed to be fairer and more progressive, some consumers remain sceptical and are turning to energy-saving strategies to help ease the burden.
One Facebook user, Mohd Ezairol Rezan Zainol, recently shared a practical tip that he claims has helped him consistently keep his electricity bill under RM180 a month — despite using three air-conditioning units every night.
Use air-cond after 10PM, keep fan running
In his viral post, Mohd Ezairol advised limiting the use of air-conditioning to after 10PM, which aligns with TNB’s off-peak hours between 10PM and 2PM the next day, when electricity rates are lower.
He recommends setting the air-conditioner temperature between 24°C and 26°C and running a fan simultaneously to circulate cool air more effectively — allowing the air-cond to run at a higher, more energy-efficient temperature.
Using a fan helps cool the room so that the air-cond can be set to 24°C~26°C, which saves energy,” he wrote.
A method he’s used for over a decade
While some people may find it odd to run both an air-cond and fan at the same time, Mohd Ezairol said it’s a method he has practised for over 10 years — with proven results.
“Many used to laugh at the idea of sleeping with both the air-cond and fan on. But I’ve been doing it for more than a decade.
“Every night, three air-cond units run in my home — and Alhamdulillah, our monthly bill is usually under RM180.”
He added that this usage method was actually recommended by TNB themselves during the 2020 Movement Control Order (MCO) as part of their energy-saving guidelines for households.
As Malaysians adjust to the newly revised tariff structure, many are finding that small, consistent habits — like adjusting when and how air-cond units are used — can go a long way in managing electricity costs.
