Top 10 Energy Saving Tips for your Home in 2024

₹1,500 to 3000 is what you will pay additionally every month with the recent power tariffs being revised across states in India.

So how do you overcome this sudden increase in costs?

Well, we are here to share energy saving tips for your home and also help you explore alternative energy sources like solar and wind energy to mitigate electricity expenses and save costs in the long run.

Power Supply and Tariffs

The power that is consumed by households in India is mainly generated at the power plants that reach the homes through different substations, transmission and distribution lines, and transformers. It is supplied by the respective state electricity departments like BESCOM, TANGEDCO, etc.

Rise of Power Tariffs from 2023

States across India have been increasing the household power tariffs in the last 1 to 2 years. 

The two main factors contributing to this are the import of coal and its transportation costs. Due to irregular monsoons, climatic conditions and increased industrial activities, power consumption is expected to double by March 2027.

“Due to the tariff revision, charges per unit have increased by an average of 70 paise. Since the order is retrospective and applicable from April, we are collecting arrears in June, resulting in an increase,” explained Bescom’s Managing Director Mahentesh Bilagi. Electricity bills have increased by almost 50 per cent in Bangalore from June 2023. Read more about it here.

The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission revised the power tariffs from November 2023.

With most of the state electricity departments increasing the electricity tariffs from 2023, it has put immense pressure on households especially the middle class, to reduce their monthly electricity bills and save energy at home.

Top 10 Ways to Save Energy at Home

1. Harness natural light: Open curtains and windows during the day to utilize natural light.
2. Switch off appliances like lights, fans and AC whenever they are not required.
3. Avoid keeping the electrical appliances on standby mode as they continue to consume power.
4. Even when turned off, electronics consume standby power, so unplug them when not in use.
5. Choose 5-star rated electrical appliances as they consume less power.
6. Keep servicing and maintain the electronic appliances well. 
7. Switch to smart living with smart home devices. Smart home devices enable automation and you can automatically switch on and switch off the devices.
8. Use energy-efficient LED lights.
9. Switch to energy efficient and power saving BLDC fans.
10. Use renewable energy resources like solar by installing solar panels and solar geyser.

Energy Saving Tips for Appliances

Lighting and Fans

• Utilise natural light and air wherever possible.
• Switch off the lights and fans when not required. 
• Replace old bulbs with Fluorescent tube lights and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) which save about 70% of electricity.  
• Switch to BLDC fans that consume less power and can be controlled with a remote.

Air Conditioner (AC)

• Every time you lower the AC temperature by one more degree, a huge load is added to the system and it adds to your electricity bill. So it is important you use the air conditioner only when required and save energy. 
• Set the room temperature at around 25°C or 24°C for optimum use and comfort. 
• Keep the air-conditioned room and the windows closed every time the AC is switched on.
• Clean the AC filter every month. Clean air filters enable the unit to cool down quickly and consume less energy.

Refrigerator

• We all have the tendency to open the refrigerator regularly to find something to eat. Well, now reduce the amount of time you open the refrigerator door to save energy and reduce your monthly electricity bill!
• Make sure there is enough space between your refrigerator and the walls so that there is good air circulation around the refrigerator.
• Make sure that the refrigerator is kept away from all sources of heat, including direct sunlight, and appliances such as the microwave oven.
• Defrost your refrigerator regularly.

Washing Machine

• For washing machines, wash with full loads to maximize energy efficiency. 
• Use cold water whenever possible and during the rinse cycle. 
• Use the appropriate amount of water and detergent.

Saving Energy in Summer and Winter

Here are the energy saving tips that you can follow during summer: 

• With the sun shining bright during summers, harness the power of solar energy and save energy and cost in the long run, by installing solar panels and solar geysers. 
• During day time, use sunlight and open windows so that natural light and air can come in. 
• During summer, use ceiling fans along with the air conditioner to circulate cool air more effectively.
• With respect to the air conditioner, set the temperature to around 24°C in summer to balance comfort and save energy. 
• Install window shades to block direct sunlight. 

Energy saving tips during winter

The colder days result in higher electricity bills! That’s because heating your home might be more expensive than cooling your home during summer. 

So here are the ways in which you can save energy during winters: 

• During winters we naturally tend to heat water many times during the day and that consumes a lot of electricity. To save energy, install low-flow faucets and use hot water from the bucket instead of the showerhead.
• Since it gets dark early during winters, you will end up switching on the lights early in the evening. This results in more energy consumption. In such cases use tube lights & CFL to save on energy.
• Reduce the temperature setting of the water heater from 60 to 50°C.
• Switch off the geyser when not required. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, with the rise of power tariffs and the increasing costs of living, it’s become more important than ever to adopt energy-saving practices at home to reduce costs and be energy efficient. 

To know more about how you can reduce your electricity bill at home by up to zero, read the related article here. 

Apart from following the tips to save energy at your home, you could harness the power of renewable energy resources like solar and wind power to generate electricity and reduce cost in the long run. 

To know more about solar energy and how it works, click here. 

Save power, save energy! 

Frequently Asked Questions