PLUG-IN gadgets that promise to slash your monthly electricity bill are being sold online for as little as RM3.
One Threads user recently shared how their mother bought one of these devices, despite being told that it was a scam.
So, can plug-in energy saving devices cut your electricity bill?
Verdict:
FALSE
No, the Energy Commission (ST) says these so-called energy saving devices (ESDs) do not significantly reduce electricity bills as sellers claim, although one local study found that a device may shave off a small amount.
The Commission has never approved any ESD, according to its website.
Its studies found that the devices do not significantly lower electricity bills, and it advises consumers to use electricity efficiently and choose appliances with higher star ratings on its energy efficiency label instead.
In a statement in February 2019, the Commission said it had studied the devices with several other parties and found no significant difference in consumers' electricity meter readings, as reported by fact-checking portal MyCheck.my.
"Furthermore, no accredited body has proven that the device provides electricity savings. Consumers may be influenced by demonstrations by sellers, in which they show a comparison of the electric current becoming lower after the ESD is installed.
"It should be noted that when an ESD is installed, the current will decrease, but the total power recorded remains the same according to the number and power rating of the electrical appliances used.
"This will therefore not make a significant difference to the rate of electricity consumption measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), using the formula Current x Voltage x Power Factor x Time Used," read the statement.
The devices are not new.
In 2016, they were sold in the form of cards that buyers were told to stick on their home's distribution board, the box that channels power from the main supply to the rest of the house.
The Commission denied endorsing the sale of any energy saving device that year, adding that irresponsible parties had misused its logo to attract buyers on social media.
Researchers from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) put one off-the-shelf plug-in device, priced between RM200 and RM300, to the test in a typical home.
Their study, published in the International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Applied Sciences in 2022, found that the device cut the electricity bill by about 3.23%, or roughly RM5.27 a month.
That was a far cry from the 15% to 40% savings advertised by the supplier.
The real power used by appliances barely changed, with the air-conditioner drawing 743.8 watts before the device was switched on and 743 watts after.
Beyond not working as promised, unrecognised devices may also pose a safety risk.
Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has warned on its TNB CareLine Facebook page that such devices are not recognised by the Commission, their function is unproven and they may cause short circuits that could lead to fires.
The Commission also told MyCheck that a device cannot be considered safe based solely on the savings claimed by the seller.
"Energy-saving efficiency and safety are two aspects that need to be assessed separately.
"Devices that do not meet electrical safety requirements could pose risks to users and electrical installations," it said.
In a 2019 report by Sinar Harian, one user said an energy saver bought for RM100 started giving off smoke in her kitchen.
"But I still left the device plugged in, and then in the middle of last year, my mother smelled something burning in the kitchen and found that the device was giving off smoke," she said.
The Commission advised the public to check whether electrical equipment is approved through its online search facility.
"For electrical equipment subject to a Certificate of Approval (CoA), the public can check based on information such as brand, model or approval number.
"Consumers must also ensure electrical appliances carry the ST-SIRIM label," it said.
The problem is not unique to Malaysia.
The Philippines' Department of Energy warned in 2024 that it had yet to find an energy saving device that lived up to its efficiency claims, and that promotional videos for such devices were "intentionally spliced and edited to deceive" consumers.
For those who want to cut their bills, the Commission recommends practising energy efficiency, including using appliances with energy efficiency labels and switching off electrical equipment when not in use.
Consumers can also take advantage of the Time of Use (ToU) scheme, which charges lower rates during off-peak hours.
Off-peak hours are between 10pm and 2pm on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, according to the Commission.
The public is also advised to report any party misusing the Commission's logo for marketing purposes.
Sources:
2. https://www.st.gov.my/has-any-
3. https://ijeeas.utem.edu.my/
4. https://www.facebook.com/
5. https://www.sinarharian.com.
6. https://www.instagram.com/p/
7. https://legacy.doe.gov.ph/
