Taiwan Power Company has confirmed that starting April 1, a comprehensive adjustment in electricity prices will be implemented for all user categories — industrial, residential, small business and low-voltage users — all of whom face an increase in electricity costs.
However, the new system varies with the amount of electricity used, and so does the increase. This time, even small households using less than 300 kWh are subject to price rises. This article compiles a Q&A on the 2024 electricity price increase, including how much the price tiers will rise and how to use electricity most efficiently during the hike.
Electricity price increase rates
You can determine the extent of your increase from the "Type of Electricity Used" and "Billed kWh" sections of your electricity bill.
Current electricity cost per kWh
Users can be billed by a "Progressive Electricity Rate (non-time-based)" or a "Time-based Electricity Rate." Most residential users opt for the progressive rate, where the price remains the same around the clock. Summer rates apply from June 1 to September 30; for usage above 1,000 kWh, the 701–1,000 kWh rate is applied to the excess. Summer and non-summer rates differ.
How to calculate a post-increase summer electricity bill
For a residential usage of 750 kWh in July, the calculation is: NT$1.68 × 120 kWh + NT$2.45 × (330−120) + NT$3.70 × (500−330) + NT$5.04 × (700−500) + NT$6.24 × (750−700) = NT$201.6 + NT$514.85 + NT$999 + NT$1,008 + NT$312 = NT$3,035. Compared with NT$2,537 in 2023, the 2024 bill rises by NT$498.
How to save electricity amid rising costs
As electricity prices rise and summer approaches, knowing how to smartly cut appliance usage becomes crucial. Beyond using LED lighting and regularly cleaning air-conditioner filters, several tips can significantly reduce household expenses.
Smart use of electric water heaters
People often debate whether frequently switching a water heater on and off costs more than leaving it running. By following a few daily habits, you can make it far more energy-efficient.
- Turn off the heater to save power: if you're away for several days a week, switch it off. A timer that automatically cuts and restores power saves the hassle of toggling it manually.
- Choose the right capacity for your household size: select a water heater sized to the number of people in your home to avoid unnecessary consumption.
- Energy-saving habits: with an instant heater, showering cuts hot-water use significantly versus filling a bath. With a storage heater, turn it off when not in use and switch it back on about half an hour before you need it.
Tips for selecting and placing a refrigerator
Beyond choosing a refrigerator with an energy-saving label, pay attention to the energy-efficiency sticker, which is rated from one to five levels.
- Right side of the label — efficiency level: the 'thermometer' marks five levels. A higher (fifth) level means the largest CO2 emissions and highest consumption; lower levels are more environmentally friendly.
- Upper-left — annual electricity consumption: shows how much power the unit uses each year; the lower, the better.
- Lower-left — energy efficiency ratio: shows how much cooling the unit provides per kWh; the higher, the better.
So the order for judging these three indicators is: the lower the efficiency level, the better; the lower the annual consumption, the better; and the higher the efficiency ratio, the better.
Also ensure good air circulation inside the refrigerator. Fill it to about 70–80% capacity, and leave roughly 10–15 centimetres of space from the wall for heat dissipation.
Timer control for standby power
Standby appliances are those that keep showing indicator lights or illuminated displays even when switched off — microwaves, rice cookers, computer monitors, printers and so on. They are often the most overlooked electricity consumers in homes.
Research finds that appliances left plugged in account for about 10–15% of a household's total electricity use, and for businesses that figure can reach as much as 30%. Unplug appliances when they're unused for a long time; if you worry about wear from repeated plugging, use an energy-saving timer. A timer can control power to appliances in a given area or used at the same time — turning them on when needed and cutting power otherwise, effectively the same as unplugging them.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the electricity bill more expensive in summer?
- Taiwan's high summer temperatures sharply raise demand, especially for air conditioning. To meet it, Taiwan Power Company runs more expensive generation units, raising supply costs — so higher summer rates apply from June to September, with non-summer rates resuming after October 1.
- How is the electricity bill calculated for rentals?
- Landlords renting out suites usually share one main Taiwan Power Company meter. Because billing is progressive, heavier total use pushes the per-kWh charge up, and communal lighting is included too — which is why a landlord's rate can exceed your own usage. To avoid disputes (and unscrupulous over-charging), tenants can suggest the landlord install a free smart meter and join energy-saving counseling, which clarifies costs and allows time-of-use rates.
- Can I get a tax rebate or subsidy for energy-saving appliances?
- Yes. Applications run until June 14, 2025 for tier-1 or tier-2 energy-saving air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers, with a Ministry of Finance goods-tax rebate of up to NT$2,000. Separately, the Energy Bureau's Residential Appliance Replacement subsidy (extended to end-2024) gives NT$3,000 per qualifying tier-1 appliance — so a single appliance can attract up to NT$5,000 combined.