Mogi das Cruzes, May XX of 2018 - Temperatures throughout the state of São Paulo have been falling and, winter starts in June, a period in which an increase in electric energy consumption may occur because of the use of equipment such as heaters, electric showers, among others. With that in mind, EDP has put together tips to reduce the value of the electricity bill even during the colder seasons of the year.

At the shower is the champion of consumption in the residences. In the cold season, people spend more time in the bath and use the device in * winter *, which consumes even more. To get an idea, the equipment can represent more than 30% of the total invoice value of households.

Ato avoid this kind of reflection in the invoice, the ideal is to control the time of the bath - between five and eight minutes, at most - and the water pressure, which should also not be too large, which helps to reduce the waste. It is important to remember that time in the shower should also be controlled to decrease water consumption. Every 5 minutes wastes about 45 liters.

At the same goes for the electric taps. It is recommended to wash the dishes at the times of the day when the temperature is higher to avoid using hot water. If this is not possible, it is worth remembering that it is always better to soap everything at once and then turn on the taps for a single rinse.

"It is possible to maintain comfort without major impacts on the account, making safe and efficient use of energy in all electrical appliances. The refrigerators, for example, also have a large share of total consumption of residences. It is important to check that the doors are well sealed, if the thermostat is set according to the external temperature and to remember that you should not put hot food inside the refrigerator and not let pieces of laundry dry behind the equipment, "says Marcos Scarpa, EDP Institutional Relations.

See other tips to avoid waste:

Heater

- Avoid leaving this appliance on for too long. Use only if indispensable.

- Windows and doors must be sealed when the equipment is in use.

Washer and dryer

- Use equipment at maximum capacity as indicated by manufacturer, avoiding the waste of electricity and water. .

Ironing

- Spray as many clothes as possible at one time.

- Before connecting the iron, separate the clothes by type of fabric - some require higher temperature than others. Start with the clothes that need lower temperature.

Lighting

- Make the most of daylight and turn off all lights that you are not using, except those that contribute to your safety.

- Replace old bulbs with LEDs, which last longer and waste less energy.

- Avoid painting the inner walls of the residence with dark colors, because they require more powerful lamps.

Electronics

- The use of the stand by  function of electronics, such as television, computer and video game, also consumes energy. Whenever possible, unplug the appliance or unplug it.

Acquisition of new equipment

 - Give preference to home appliances with the Procel seal, which classifies the appliances according to the level of consumption. These pieces of equipment are certified by Inmetro and, in addition to consuming less energy, contribute to the preservation of the environment.

- Acquire equipment according to the needs of the family: amount of people and consumption habits.