GENERAL

• Change older and inefficient models of your appliance or gadget, with newer ones for they are more efficient. For example – 15 years ago a 1.5 Ton Air-Conditioner used to draw around 3500 Watts per Hour of electric power and today for the same tonnage of AC, the power consumption is only 1600 to 1800 Watts per Hour, which is almost a 50% drop. Mind you - as days go by and as technologies evolve – appliances & gadgets are getting smarter and more efficient. The same is applicable for lights, fans etc.
• While buying appliances and gadgets, we are all only considered only about the buying price of the product. It will be prudent to consider the operating cost, which is largely dependent on the Energy efficiency rating. So, the real cost of appliance or gadget is the purchasing cost plus the operating cost – over a period (life of the product). It is especially wise if you would consider these points for appliances and gadgets apart from lights, bulbs or ceiling fans.
• While buying appliance or gadgets – while it may satisfy your ego to buy a swanky model that costs higher – think twice whether you really can afford it – for apart from the higher cost - they all consume more electricity.
• While buying appliance or cooking gadgets – try to size your model - appropriate to your requirement. Do not buy extra large or heavy duty models for a small family. Even if the load is less – a heavy duty washing machine will cost higher to operate than a smaller model.

• Repair leaky water pipes, taps, tanks etc – for a leaky tap that drips a few drops of water per minute may not look to be a big drain – but mind you it wastes many litres of water in a month and this wastage warrants pumping of more water – meaning more consumption of electricity. Wastage of water too cannot be ignored in today’s context of acute water scarcity.
• Turn power off to all appliances and gadgets – when they are not in use. It is not enough to just to put them in stand-by mode, for they continue to consume small amount of electric power. This is called as vampire power or sometimes phantom load.
• To identify appliance or gadget that consumes idle or standby power – look for LED or TFT screen displays, Digital clocks, Remote control, Battery chargers etc. A product with any of these listed feature – will most probably have substantial standby power consumption.
• To prevent heating of rooms in summer – use tinted glass or apply sun control films on glass panes of windows.
• To prevent over cooling of rooms in winter – use double layered glass panes on windows to insulate the room better.

REFRIGERATOR

• While opening refrigerator door – take care to close it immediately – do not leave it open for long – your refrigerator will lose most of the cooling (the cold air inside the refrigerator will escape)and will have to work longer to bring it back to sufficient cooling levels.
• Do ensure that the refrigerator doors are closed properly after every time it is opened. To check the insulation of the refrigerator door – place a thin paper across the door and close the refrigerator door – then try to pull out the paper – if you can pull the paper easily, then the insulation is leaky and the refrigerator door may need adjustment – to close tightly.
• While keeping food in the refrigerator – cover liquids and moist food items in closed containers. This ensures that the moisture released from food items kept in the refrigerator is minimal. High amount of moisture inside the refrigerator compartment will take longer to cool the compartment than usual and this will cause the compressor to work harder, drawing more electricity.
• If you have a Direct Cool refrigerator – consider defrosting regularly to prevent frost built-up. The compressor will need to work harder to do the cooling – thereby drawing more electricity.
• Avoid keeping hot (immediately after cooking) and or warm food into the refrigerator.
• While buying a refrigerator – it is always prudent to buy one that is right for you in terms of usage and running cost. Swankier models with water or ice dispenser and side by side door – while offering conveniences - consume more electricity.
• Keep your refrigerator to only Medium cool setting. Keep the setting to high cool - Only when needed – that is when rapid cooling is required.

WATER HEATER, WASHING MACHINE & OTHER APPLIANCES

• While using Water heater – set the temperature only to medium hot and also ensure to switch it off after use. Keep the setting to Extreme Hot only if the requirement of water is very high in volume and the temperature needed is very hot. For bathing purpose – if the winter is not very cold – reasonably warm water is ideal. Most of the Indian Territory is plains – and this is applicable for these regions.
• While using water heater – take care to take shorter showers, rather than an elaborate one.
• Use a water heater to bathe only during winters. Desist from using water heaters in summer.
• While using Washing machines or Dish washers – take care to load the appliance to full load every time it is operated. Do not operate on part loads.
• Try and use Front Loading Washing Machine (Horizontal axis cloth washers) as they are considered to be energy and water efficient.
• Try and shift usage of heavy power consuming appliances to off peak timings (off peak times: 12 hours window beyond 9 pm unto 9 am). This will avoid overall strain on the utility – thereby improving voltage – thereby reducing current consumption by the appliance or gadget – reducing your overall electricity bill.
• While using washing machines – select longer wash / rinse cycles only when there is a requirement. For regular clothes – which are less soiled medium or even low wash / rinse cycles are enough.
• Take care to operate the heater in washing machine - only when needed. Refrain from using heater as default – for all washes.
• Whenever possible try to air dry clothes. In the Indian context – when the humidity is low for most part of the year – this is appropriate.
• Look for Energy Star labelling – and ensure that the appliance that you buy has a good rating – this means the product is having higher efficiency.
• Ensure that all appliances and gadgets are properly maintained for efficient performance. Check the owner’s manual for recommended maintenance.
• While buying heating appliances like electric iron box, oven, toaster, griller etc – consider buying only the ones that have thermostat for cutting off operation beyond a particular temperature.
• Do not iron wet clothes.
• Considering changing your TV to LED type TV for high efficiency.
• If you are not using an appliance or gadget frequently – kindly unplug it or switch off the electric power supply.
• If you are not planning to go out immediately after a shower – then kindly refrain from blow drying your hair.
• Microwave ovens and Induction stoves are more energy efficient that the traditional electric heaters or electric oven / grillers, so adopt them in your cooking.
• Try to defrost food items naturally over a period of time instead of thawing in a microwave oven.