涼爽的代價
Starting from June 1, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) has introduced summer electricity rates for homes.
自6月1日起，台灣電力公司（台電）已針對家庭用戶實施夏季電價。
introduce(v.)實施、推出rate(n.)費率、價格
This system will run from June to September.
此制度將實施至9月。
On average, each household may pay about NT$446 more per month this summer.
今年夏天，每戶家庭每月平均電費可能增加約新台幣446元。
on average平均來說household(n.)一戶(家庭)household name家喻戶曉的人
Because of the hot weather and El Niño, many people are using air conditioners and dehumidifiers more than usual.
由於天氣炎熱及聖嬰現象的影響，許多民眾冷氣、除濕機使用時間拉長。
owing to由於=due to／as a result ofhumid(adj.)潮濕的／humidity(n.)濕度
Last year, families used 40% more electricity in summer (418 kWh) compared to non-summer months (308 kWh).
去年夏季，家庭用電量（418度）較非夏月（308度）增加了40%。
compared to與……相比
However, Taipower explains that 73% of the extra cost comes from higher usage, while only 27% (about NT$120) comes from the higher summer rates.
不過，台電說明，其中73%（約326元）是因為用電量增加，只有27%（約120元）來自夏季電價費率調整。
whereas(conj.)然而、卻
Not every family will feel a big difference.
並非所有家庭都會感受到明顯差異。
About 30% of households that use less than 120 kWh per month will see almost no change in their bills.
全台約三成、每月用電量低於120度的家庭，帳單金額幾乎不會有變化。
nearly(adv.)幾乎=virtually／practically
For the 40% of families using 121 to 330 kWh, the increase is small — around NT$2 per day at most.
另有四成家庭每月用電在121度至330度之間，每天增加電費最多約兩元。
increase(n.)增加、漲幅at most最多
Only the 2.4% of high-usage families (over 1,000 kWh per month) will face a much larger increase.
只有每月用電超過1,000度的高用電家庭（占2.4%）才會面臨較大幅度的漲幅。
Taipower says this seasonal pricing is common in countries like the US, Japan, and the UK.
台電表示，季節性定價機制在美國、日本和英國等國家相當普遍。
It helps reduce pressure on the power system during peak summer months, while the average yearly electricity price stays the same.
此舉有助於減輕夏季用電高峰期電力系統的壓力，而全年平均電價並未改變。
peak(n.)(adj.)尖峰(的)、高峰的remain the same維持不變
Taipower has faced financial difficulties, losing NT$9 billion in the first four months of 2026, including NT$4.7 billion in April because of high gas prices.
台電近期面臨財務困境，2026年前四個月虧損達90億新台幣，其中4月份因天然氣價格高漲而虧損47億新台幣。
financial(adj.)財務的／finance(n.)財務
The summer rates can help ease some of this pressure.
夏季電價政策有助於緩解部分壓力。
ease(v.)減緩alleviate(v.)減輕
To save money, try setting your air conditioner to 26-28°C, turn off unused lights and fans, and use electrical appliances during cooler hours.
為了省荷包，建議民眾將空調溫度設定在26至28°C之間，關閉未使用之燈光與風扇，並在氣溫較低時段使用電器。
electrical(adj.)用電的electronic(adj.)電子的electric(adj.)電動的
Stay cool this summer and remember to save electricity when you can!
希望大家這個夏天既能涼爽舒適，也能聰明省電！