Electricity rates in the Philippines are rising again this year. Meralco recently announced a price hike of ₱0.2226 per kWh for February 2026. This means a typical household consuming 200 kWh will see an extra ₱45 on their monthly bill. If you live in a high-rise, you must learn how to lower Meralco bill condo units effectively before the summer heat hits.
Condo living offers great comfort, but small spaces can heat up very fast. You do not have to suffer from high electricity costs every month. Follow these five proven hacks to keep your home cool and your wallet full.
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1. Optimize Your Aircon Settings
The air conditioner is the biggest energy consumer in any Manila home. You can save a lot of money by setting your thermostat to 25°C instead of 18°C. Every degree higher can reduce your consumption significantly.
Also, make sure to clean your aircon filters at least once a month. A dirty filter forces the motor to work harder and use more power. If you are looking for a new unit, always invest in inverter technology to save up to 30% on energy.
2. Eliminate Energy Vampires
Did you know that appliances still use power when they are plugged in? These are called “phantom loads” or energy vampires. Even if your TV or microwave is off, the standby mode draws electricity.
You should unplug all electronics when they are not in use. Using a smart power strip can also help. These devices automatically shut off power to gadgets that are not active. This simple habit is a great way to lower Meralco bill condo expenses effortlessly.
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3. Switch Everything to LED
Lighting accounts for a huge portion of your monthly energy use. Traditional bulbs waste a lot of energy as heat. You should replace all your old bulbs with LED lighting immediately.
LEDs use 80% less energy and last much longer than regular bulbs. This is a low-cost upgrade that provides instant savings. You can find affordable LED options at local hardware stores in Metro Manila.
4. Master Natural Ventilation
Manila is a tropical city, so you must use the sun and wind to your advantage. Keep your curtains or blinds closed during the hottest part of the day. This prevents “solar heat” from entering your unit.
At night, open your windows to allow cross-ventilation. This cools down your condo naturally without using the aircon. You can use a simple electric fan to help circulate the cool air. For more tips on maintaining a premium home, visit our latest guides on Avida Towers Intima.
5. Use Appliances During Off-Peak Hours
Meralco rates can vary based on demand. While not all residential accounts have time-of-use pricing, it is still a good habit to use heavy appliances like washing machines or irons during off-peak hours (late at night or early morning).
Also, try to wash full loads of laundry instead of many small batches. This maximizes the efficiency of your machine and saves water too. For official updates on power rates, always check the Meralco News Page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meralco announced a hike for February, but a new lifeline subsidy rate of ₱0.01 per kWh will take effect in March 2026 to help low-income families.
Most condos do not allow individual solar panels on the balcony. However, you can use small portable solar chargers for your phones and gadgets to save a few pesos.
Yes. While a single charger uses very little “standby power,” having multiple chargers and appliances plugged in all day can add hundreds of pesos to your yearly bill.
John Michael Ramos is a Certified Financial Planner with over 12 years of experience in the automotive insurance and personal finance sectors. He has authored data-driven articles for leading financial publications. His goal is to simplify complex insurance jargon into easy-to-understand language.