Living in Singapore, electricity is one of those expenses we can’t escape. The weather is hot, air-conditioning feels like a necessity, and most of us spend a lot of time at home — whether it’s working remotely, resting, or spending time with family.
For a typical 4-room HDB flat, electricity bills can easily range from $150 to $250 a month, sometimes even more during hotter months. Over a year, that adds up to a few thousand dollars quietly flowing out of our pockets.
On lewwenwan.blogspot.com, I often write about practical ways to manage everyday expenses — not extreme cost-cutting, but sustainable habits that make sense for normal Singapore households. Saving electricity is one of those areas where small, realistic changes can produce meaningful results over time.
In this article, I want to share 5 practical ways I focus on saving electricity in a 4-room HDB flat, why they work, and how they can realistically reduce your monthly and yearly bills.
Before We Start: Where Electricity Really Goes in a 4-Room HDB
One important lesson I learned early on is this:
👉 Not all electricity usage is equal.
In a typical 4-room HDB flat, electricity consumption roughly looks like this:
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Air-conditioning: 40–50%
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Refrigerator: 15–20%
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Lighting: 8–12%
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Water heating: 8–10%
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Other appliances (TV, washing machine, computers, chargers): 10–15%
This tells us something very important. If we want real savings, we must focus on the big-ticket items, not just small habits that make us feel productive but don’t move the bill much.
1. I Use Air-Conditioning Smarter, Not Less
Let’s be honest — in Singapore, asking people to stop using air-conditioning is unrealistic. The key is not to avoid air-con, but to use it wisely.
What I Do
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Set the air-con temperature at 25–26°C instead of blasting it at 22°C.
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Use fan mode or eco mode whenever possible.
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Pair the air-con with a standing or ceiling fan to circulate cool air.
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Close bedroom doors and windows properly.
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Clean air-con filters regularly.
Why This Works
Every 1°C increase in air-con temperature can reduce electricity consumption by about 5–10%. Many of us overcool our rooms without realising it — especially at night.
With a fan helping air circulation, a slightly higher temperature still feels comfortable but consumes far less electricity.
Realistic Savings
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Reducing air-con usage by 1–2 hours a day
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Increasing thermostat by 1–2°C
👉 Monthly savings: $20–$30
👉 Yearly savings: $240–$360
This alone already makes a noticeable difference on the bill.
2. I Switched All My Lights to LED (One-Time Effort)
Lighting is one of the easiest areas to optimise. Many older flats still use halogen or CFL bulbs, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, or service yards.
What I Do
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Replace every bulb with LED lighting.
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Use warm or neutral tones for living spaces.
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Make it a habit to switch off lights in unused rooms.
Why This Works
LED lights:
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Use up to 80% less electricity
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Last many times longer than traditional bulbs
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Produce less heat (which also reduces cooling load)
Once installed, you don’t need to think about it again for years.
Realistic Savings
For a 4-room HDB flat with 12–15 light points:
👉 Monthly savings: $8–$12
👉 Yearly savings: $96–$144
LEDs usually pay for themselves within the first year.
3. I Cut Down on “Hidden” Standby Power
One of the most underestimated sources of electricity waste is standby power — electricity used by appliances that are “off” but still plugged in.
This includes:
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TVs and set-top boxes
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Game consoles
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Wi-Fi routers
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Desktop computers
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Phone chargers
What I Do
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Use power extension strips with switches.
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Turn off electronics at the plug before sleeping.
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Unplug chargers when not in use.
Why This Works
Each device uses only a small amount of electricity, but together they run 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Over time, this adds up.
Standby power can account for 5–10% of household electricity consumption.
Realistic Savings
👉 Monthly savings: $5–$10
👉 Yearly savings: $60–$120
It’s not glamorous, but it’s one of the easiest habits to maintain.
4. I Use Household Appliances More Efficiently
Appliances quietly consume electricity every day, especially the ones we use automatically without thinking.
What I Focus On
Washing Machine
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Wash only when there is a full load.
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Use cold water whenever possible.
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Avoid frequent small washes.
Refrigerator
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Don’t overstuff or leave it half-empty.
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Set it to recommended temperature, not the coldest.
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Minimise unnecessary door opening.
Water Heater
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Reduce heater temperature slightly.
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Switch off storage heaters when not needed.
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Keep showers efficient.
Why This Works
These appliances operate frequently and consistently. Even small efficiency gains compound over weeks and months.
Realistic Savings
👉 Monthly savings: $10–$20
👉 Yearly savings: $120–$240
This is where disciplined habits quietly produce real financial impact.
5. I Track My Electricity Usage and Adjust Accordingly
One habit that changed how I think about electricity is tracking usage.
Most households in Singapore now have smart meters, and electricity retailers provide apps that show monthly or even daily consumption.
What I Do
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Review monthly electricity usage.
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Look out for spikes during hotter months or holidays.
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Set a realistic monthly target.
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Involve family members so everyone is aware.
Why This Works
When you see actual numbers, behaviour changes naturally. Studies show households that track energy usage reduce consumption by 5–15%, even without major changes.
Awareness is powerful.
Realistic Savings
👉 Monthly savings: $5–$10
👉 Yearly savings: $60–$120
This is a low-effort habit with long-term benefits.
Total Savings You Can Expect in a 4-Room HDB Flat
Here’s a realistic summary:
| Area | Monthly Savings | Yearly Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Smarter air-con use | $20–$30 | $240–$360 |
| LED lighting | $8–$12 | $96–$144 |
| Standby power reduction | $5–$10 | $60–$120 |
| Efficient appliance use | $10–$20 | $120–$240 |
| Tracking & awareness | $5–$10 | $60–$120 |
| Total | $48–$82 | $576–$984 |
Most households can realistically save $600 to almost $1,000 a year without sacrificing comfort.
Final Thoughts (Lew Wen Wan Perspective)
Saving electricity isn’t about extreme frugality. It’s about being intentional with how we use energy in our homes.
In a 4-room HDB flat, the biggest wins come from:
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Smarter air-conditioning habits
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One-time upgrades like LED lighting
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Daily awareness and discipline
As electricity prices continue to fluctuate, these habits protect your household budget in the long run. The savings may seem small monthly, but over years, they compound into thousands of dollars.
On lewwenwan.blogspot.com, I believe in practical personal finance — and reducing recurring expenses like electricity is one of the simplest ways to improve financial resilience.
