Are electricity bills going through the roof in summer? 2026 Taipower summer electricity price guide to save money (including time electricity price trial calculation)

1. Why do electricity bills suddenly increase in summer? Let’s first look at how to calculate electricity prices in Xia Yue

2. Is time-based electricity pricing suitable for you? 700 degrees is the critical watershed

• Good for switching families

  Electricity consumption in summer is ≥ 1,400 kWh per period (700 kWh per month), there is an electric car at home, the water heater is a storage type or heat pump, and the appliances can be started after 10 p.m.

• Families not suitable for switching

  Electricity consumption in summer is < 1,000 kWh per period (500 kWh per month), many people are at home during the day, and there are no large appliances that can be moved off-peak

• Application method

  Apply to Taipower for the "Residential and Commercial Simple Time Electricity Price" and install a smart meter for free. The switch can be completed in 1 to 2 weeks. If you feel it is not cost-effective, you can apply to change back to the normal electricity price (limited to one change within a year).

3. 6 Practical Tips for Saving Electricity for Air Conditioning (actual measurement difference in electricity bill is 30%)

• Set 26 to 27°C instead of 24°C

  Each 1°C increase saves 6% on electricity bills. With the fan + wind direction set to "horizontal left and right swing", the body temperature can be further reduced by 1 to 2°C, which is equivalent to the comfort level of 24°C.

• Use "forced cooling mode" for 10 minutes after turning on the phone

  Set 23°C for strong cooling 10 minutes before starting up, and then adjust to 26~27°C after the room temperature is reached. This is more energy-saving than setting it directly to 26°C (the compressor does not need to run at high power all the time)

• Use with a fan to create air convection

  The electric fan consumes about 1/30 of the power of the air conditioner, but can increase the operating temperature of the air conditioner by 2°C without sacrificing physical comfort.

• Sleep mode + scheduled shutdown

  When the temperature drops after 3 a.m., the air conditioner can be adjusted to "sleep mode" to automatically increase the temperature by 0.5°C every hour, or it can be set to turn off at a scheduled time of 4 to 6 hours.

• Clean the filter every month and clean the outdoor unit every 2 years

  Dirty filters can reduce the efficiency of a cold room by 30% and cost you three times more energy bills. Poor heat dissipation of the outdoor unit is also the culprit of power consumption

• Choose frequency conversion + first-level energy efficiency

  Variable frequency air conditioners save 30 to 50% of electricity compared to fixed frequency air conditioners, and add an additional 10 to 15% to first-level energy efficiency. Replacing an old air conditioner that is more than 10 years old will pay for itself in about 3 to 4 years

4. Energy-saving home appliance replacement subsidy for lazy people (you can still apply in 2026)

• Application conditions

  I am the purchaser, the invoice is payable to the name of the purchaser, the new machine must have a "First Class Energy Efficiency Label" and the application must be made within 6 months after purchase

• Required documents

  Copy of invoice, product warranty card or model specification sheet, bank book cover, front and back of ID card

• Appropriation time

  It takes about 4 to 8 weeks from application to credit. It is recommended to apply early before the subsidy quota is used up (the quota is usually tight in Q3 every year)

5. 5 Big Battery Saving Myths Busted (You May Be Doing It Wrong)

• Myth 1: Is it cheaper to turn the air conditioner on to force cooling, then turn it off and on again?

  wrong. The compressor consumes the most power at the moment it is started, and frequent switching on and off consumes even more power. It is recommended not to turn off the door within 30 minutes after going out.

• Myth 2: Unplugging doesn’t consume electricity?

  Partly true. Standby power accounts for about 5 to 10% of household electricity consumption, but it is inconvenient to pull out the plug. It is recommended to use the "extension cord with switch" to cut off with one click, which is more practical.

• Myth 3: LED lights save energy?

  Yes, but it depends on the lumen count and quality. Inferior LEDs have a short lifespan, generate a lot of heat, and are ineffective. Choose those with CNS certification and a warranty of more than 2 years

• Myth 4: A washing machine needs to use hot water to get clean results?

  wrong. Cold water laundry with enzyme detergent is equally effective and can save 90% of laundry electricity bills (hot water accounts for a large portion of the washing machine's electricity consumption)

• Myth 5: An electric cooker is most convenient for keeping warm all day long?

  wrong. Keeping the electric pot warm for 8 hours consumes about the same amount of energy as cooking one more time. After cooking, pack the rice into a box and freeze it, then microwave it when you want to eat it

6. 3 minutes to determine which energy saving solution is suitable for your home

• Short term (can be done within 1 week)

  Air conditioner set to 26°C, clean filter, equipped with fan, switch extension cord, and cold water for laundry

• Mid-term (within 1 month)

  Assess the applicability of timely electricity prices, apply for subsidies for energy-saving home appliances, and replace air conditioners that are more than 10 years old

• Long term (within half a year)

  Consider solar water heaters, household energy storage equipment (matched with time electricity price arbitrage), and roof insulation.

7. What can you do with the money you save on electricity bills? financial thinking

• short term accounting

  "Clearly transfer" the electricity bill savings to another account, and you will be motivated to continue after seeing it.

• medium term investment

  Pair it with regular fixed-amount ETFs (such as 0050, 006208) and let the money you save automatically work for you

• long term mindset

  Once you develop energy-saving habits, you can “save while you’re there”, with no subsequent maintenance costs.