Following the recent increase in electricity tariffs, Ghanaians are being encouraged to adopt energy-efficient cooling practices in order to reduce power consumption and lower their utility bills.
Speaking in an interview to mark World Refrigeration Day, the Chief Executive of the Center for Shared Responsibility and Technology Ambition, Kofi Agyarko, noted that while consumers have little control over electricity pricing and regulatory decisions, they can manage their consumption habits to reduce costs. He advised households and businesses to invest in energy-efficient appliances as a long-term cost-saving measure.
He further recommended that users adjust appliance settings appropriately, explaining that refrigerators do not need to be set at excessively low temperatures and that air conditioners should ideally be maintained between 24°C and 26°C, as lower settings significantly increase electricity usage.
Mr. Agyarko highlighted that refrigeration plays a critical role in everyday life, supporting food preservation, healthcare delivery, and comfort in homes, schools, and workplaces. He also emphasized its importance to key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, hospitality, and manufacturing.
He noted that with rising temperatures linked to climate change, efficient cooling systems are becoming increasingly essential for both economic productivity and improved living standards.
However, he identified several challenges in the sector, including a shortage of skilled technicians outside major cities, the circulation of counterfeit spare parts, and poor maintenance practices that reduce equipment efficiency and lifespan. He warned that counterfeit components remain a major concern in the industry.
He called for stronger enforcement of standards, expanded public education, and increased investment in technical training to address these gaps.
This year’s World Refrigeration Day, themed “Cool Intelligence,” promotes the responsible and efficient use of cooling technologies as a way to reduce energy consumption, cut costs, and support sustainable development.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com
