Smart ways to bring down your monthly electricity bills
Vivien Foster, an energy economist at the World Bank said, "India is the poster boy for clean energy..." while suggesting that green, and clean energy system is not a burden but an opportunity. Efficient means of energy consumption decreases both the power consumption, and the energy bills. Energy consumption can be optimised, and electricity bills can be reduced by five simple steps.
Switch Off
The easiest way to reduce the power bills is to switch off the electrical appliances when not in use. It is a habit to be inculcated right from childhood, but it is never too late to begin.
If you leave the room for more than a few minutes, then fans, lights, and other gadgets should be switched off. Avoid using artificial light sources during the day; brighten the home by letting the sunshine stream through your doors and windows.
Switching off the gadgets from the plug point is equally important. If the gadgets are left plugged, after being switched off, they still consume power. According to Tata Power, this wastage amounts to 5% of the city's electricity consumption.
Switch to LEDs
Switching to LED bulbs can drastically reduce your power bills. As per Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), an incandescent bulb emits 350-400 lumens requiring 60 watts. In contrast, LEDs emit 600-700 lumen for just 6 watts of power, saving 90% of energy.
A government-sponsored LED distribution programme under the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme, was started in 2014. It is estimated that replacement of 770 million household, and street lights will reduce India’s peak electricity demand by 20,000 megawatts (MW). The emissions of climate-heating CO2 is going to be cut by nearly 80 million tonnes annually. Use of LEDs at home, and organizations will help you to slash your energy bills.
Thermostat Can Curtail the Energy Cost
The biggest guzzler of electricity are the air conditioners, and the heaters. The greater the difference in the room, and the outside temperature, higher is the power consumed. Thermostat can also be programmed in such a way that the difference is lower, and less power is consumed.
While using the AC, or heater, insulating the room properly by keeping the door, and windows shut, helps to lower the energy leakage.
Use Energy Efficient Ways to Reduce Your Bill
Here are some ways to make efficient use of your gadgets.
- Wash clothes with cold water in the washing machine. Heating the water in the drum is the major contributor to power consumption. Alternatively, the clothes can be dried in the sun, to save costs of drying them in the washing machine.
- It is recommended to use a geyser at one go. If someone uses it after a long time, the geyser consumes electricity to get reheated, after cooling. Same applies to kitchen gadgets too.
- Use of stairs for lower floors should be encouraged, instead of lifts.
- Older the appliance, more power it consumes. Investment in new and energy-efficient gadgets offset the rising energy bills.
Alternative Source of Electricity
As per Mercom's research report, cumulative solar rooftop installations in India have surpassed 1 GW. Renewables comprise 18% of India's total installed capacity, and the contribution of solar was around 4.5%. More and more buildings, and organizations are opting for solar source of electricity, to reduce their power consumption, and the associated pollution due to use of fossil fuels.
These were some of the simple ways to reduce your electricity bills. Buying a home insurance policy can provide coverage to your home, and its contents including your energy saving gadgets. A home insurance policy will provide adequate coverage against both natural and man-made calamities.
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