Introduction
Peak hour energy can seem like a trap. You aren’t using any “extra” electricity, but your bill creeps even higher because the biggest electricity guzzlers in your home your air conditioning and geyser (water heater) are likely running when power is at its most expensive.
Here’s the good news that you don’t have to stop using your air conditioning or hot water to cut costs. You simply need to deploy them smarter.
That’s where smart home energy automation comes in. It’s not going to magically make your electricity price less. Instead, it cuts your waste, moves heavy usage to off peak times and ensures that appliances run only when you need them.
In this article, I’ll tell you how to do that in a simple and practical manner by setting your AC and geyser on auto timers to reduce peak hour electricity consumption but also improve the quality of life.
The Problem with the Hour of Power
Peak hours are peak because that’s when we all get home, cook dinner and hit the lights, AC or hot water. Time of Use (TOU) billing is employed by electricity providers in most countries. That means:
Off peak hours are cheaper
Peak hours cost more
Peak usage still matters because
- Load increases when heavy appliances are simultaneously operated
- It may drive up your demand charges (in some configurations).
- It stresses your wire and can lead to tripping
So “going without electricity” is not the goal.
The aim is to shift the demand for electricity used at peak hours.
Why to go for AC and Geyser as the Best Appliances to Automation
If you’re looking for real savings, it’s the appliances that are using the most energy that you’ll need to tackle. That is why AC and geyser are ideal.
AC (Air Conditioner)
AC sucks up energy, particularly when:
You turn it so low (50F)
The room is hot and the compressor runs all the time
The doors and windows are frequently thrown open
Filters are dirty, reducing airflow
In summer months, during peak evenings, the AC often uses the most electricity.
Geyser (Water Heater)
At its most basic, a geyser is nothing more than an overly powerful heating coil. It’s energy-intensive: Heating water is no joke when it comes to electricity consumption.
Most geyser wastage happens when:
It stays ON all day
Reheats the water over and over
It operates in peak hours “in case there’s something to be done”.
People forget to switch it off after their bath.
When you air-seal and insulate these two loads correctly, you’re likely to see tangible savings.