On next Saturday, March 30, people all over the world will turn off the lights in their homes and businesses for one hour in a campaign against global warming.

As part of efforts to promote smart energy use and support this global cause, EDP, an electrical energy distributor from the Alto Tietê, Vale do Paraiba and the north coast of Sao Paulo regions, is highlighting how our day-to-day activities can help save energy and offers tips and anecdotes. “Simple changes in our everyday activities can help mitigate electricity wastage, protect natural resources and reduce energy bills”, said Vilmar Teixeira, executive manager at EDP.

Find out more:

• A window-type 7,500 BTU/h air conditioning device left on for eight hours a day consumes an average of 126 KWh per month. Translating this into BRL, the device may increase a family electricity bill by up to 118% if it consumes an average of 150 kWh per month, in other words, the bill may go from R$ 99 to around R$ 216.


• Using your shower’s ‘summer’ setting whenever possible can provide energy savings of up to 30%. Additionally, using burned out coils could also increase consumption.


• Replace incandescent and fluorescent bulbs with more cost-efficient and durable LED bulbs.  Begin by replacing bulbs in the most commonly used areas.


• Hot food should not be kept in the freezer or refrigerator. This forces the appliance to work harder for longer


• Current leakage is one of the main causes of sharp increases in energy consumption. Several factors, such as poor wiring repairs, loose connections, bare wires or poor insulation, can lead to overheating on the internal network and cause current leakage.


• Efficient devices require good electrical wiring, so maintenance is crucial.


• The Procel Seal is given to devices with an “A” grade in the National Energy Conservation Guide (ENCE), published by Inmetro, in other words, all devices that have this particular seal are more efficient and help protect the environment, as well as help reduce customers’ bills.

EDP Initiatives

EDP is constantly involved in projects and activities that aim to preserve natural resources and promote efficient energy use. In 2018, the company trained 1,070 educators and helped over 107 thousand students in São Paulo through the Good Energy in Schools program, visiting state schools to educate teachers and students about safe and efficient energy usage. Additionally, the “Xô Desperdício” Competition awarded complete solar generation kits to 10 schools in the company’s operating areas to help them save energy.

Athroughout the year, EDP organized the Good Energy in the Community and Solidary Efficiency program, replacing more than 246 thousand higher-consumption light bulbs with LED lights, while also promoting rational energy use through its Good Energy Representatives.  In its Public Call for Energy Efficiency in 2018, the company offered R$ 5.8 million to individual, corporate and government projects intended to reduce energy wastage and support responsible energy use.

At these initiatives to reinforce the Company’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which were implemented to create a more sustainable planet.