10 Easy Tips To Reduce Your Home Electricity Bills

How to Reduce Your Electricity Bills and Keep the Earth Green

• Once upon a time, there were no Air conditioners, no Geysers, no Room Heaters.
• Once upon a time there were no Refrigerators, Microwave Ovens and other many Electrical appliances.
• Once upon a time, there were no Computers, Mobile phones, Electronic gadgets.
• Once upon a time there were no AC cars.

But the people in those times were healthier, because the environment was pure, healthy, fresh, green and non polluted.

We all are aware about the harmful effects, these electrical and electronic appliances can have on the environment.

But does that mean that we should stop using them?

Not at all

In fact, we are so much dependent on all these appliances, that we can not think of life without them. I feel, that even our resistance or tolerance has also decreased.

The other day, I had a discussion with a senior officer of the Electricity company, who is also an electrical engineer, about how to reduce the high electricity bills.
Here are some of the highlights, I want to share with all of you.

Simple Tips to reduce your Electricity Bills and help to keep the Earth greener

1. Check the energy rating of electric appliances before purchasing them

Energy efficient appliances consumes significantly less electricity, as compared to older and more conventional models.

The good news is that most of the companies are making varieties of such appliances. You can check the labels, when you go to buy them.

In India, Air Conditioners, Refrigerators etc. have efficiency rating labels printed on the appliances and they range from 1 to 5.stars.

The higher the rating that is the stars, the more money you save and contribute towards a healthier environment.

2. Cool roofs reduce air conditioning costs to a great extent

Painting the roofs white or lining the roof with white tiles on residential as well as commercial buildings can reduce costs of air conditioning bills as much as 20 to 25%.

Along with this the places. where the Air conditioner is not installed also are cooler and more comfortable, during scorching heat.

Reduced roof temperature means increased roof life.

3. Place your Refrigerator away from Sunlight and walls

Make sure that your refrigerator is placed away from any heat source, including direct Sunlight.

Allow enough space around the refrigerator for continuous airflow. If the heat ca not escape, the cooling system will have to work much harder, therefore using more energy.

The cheapest way to savemoney on your electric bill, source: You tube

4. Switch to LED bulbs

LED lighting is 8 times more energy efficient than an incandescent bulb and twice as energy efficient as a CFL, compact fluorescent lamps.

Scroll to Continue

The Red Ranger Becomes An Adventure In Another World gets a new trailer

Synth Single Review: “Where Tigers Are Said to Roam’’ by Color Theory

Easy and Instant Poha Rava Chilla

80% of the energy consumed by an ordinary bulb goes into generating heat rather than light.

The average life span of a LED bulb is around 50,000 hours as compared to 8,000-10,000 hours for a CFL and around 1,200 hours for an incandescent bulb.

Note: (All this information has been gathered by the local Electricity company at Delhi.)

5. Switch off your appliances, when you are not using them

Putting your appliances on 'stand by' mode does not stop the usage of electricity. Your meter will continue to record consumption until the main switch is turned off.

We have this habit of using the remote for TV, for Air conditioners. This keeps the appliances on a 'stand by' mode and a huge loss of electricity.

Switch off your computers, when you are not using them. Because even if it is in the 'sleep' mode, it is consuming electricity.

A Laptop consumes less electricity as compared to a Desktop computer.

Inkjet printers consume less electricity as compared to Laser printers.

6. Use Sun control films on windows to further reduce air conditioning costs

Sun control films insulate homes, offices and other spaces from solar radiation and Ultra violet exposure that bring undue heat.

These films reduce power needs and also protect humans from the ill effects of the UV rays.

These films help to save energy by rejecting substantial amount of heat.

How to seal windows for winter and summer, source: You tube

7. Conserving energy, while using Microwave ovens

You can save a lot of cooking energy costs by using a microwave oven rather than a regular oven.

To reduce cooking time, you can soak the vegetables etc, in hot water before placing them in Microwave oven.

Place larger and solid items towards the outside edge of the dish, because microwaves cook from the outer to the center of the dish.

8. Plants reduce air conditioning costs

Lining the windows and walls with plants helps to reduce energy consumption.

Plants insulate the rooms from heat, which helps your air conditioner to do less work to do.

9. Prevent 'earth leakages'

An 'earth leakage' not only leads to electricity wastage but it can also lead to shocks, which may be fatal for human life.

There are devices to detect even the smallest leakages in your homes. This system automatically trips and disconnects the electricity supply to the equipment in your home.

Such devices also detect faulty internal wiring. On detection, this Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker, ELCB, immediately trips.

This prevents wastage of energy/ electricity and a possible accident. However, a qualified electrician must check the internal wiring if such a situation occurs.

10. Using Solar energy

Solar energy goes a long way to reduce our over dependence on fossil fuels.

Solar energy is a renewable energy, which can decrease pollution levels, reduce your electricity bills and make the environment cleaner and healthy.

Solar water heaters, Solar cookers are readily available and using them will help to reduce burden on your pockets and on mother earth, by saving energy.

To conclude

• Besides the above mentioned tips, we can adopt some natural ways too, such as closing the doors and windows before the Sun becomes too hot.
• Allow fresh air in homes in the the mornings and evenings.
• Planting more and more trees in and around our homes. Cutting of trees unceremoniously should be avoided.
• An earth day is celebrated in most parts of the country to save energy, when everyone switches off lights in the peak consumption hours.
• Following these simple tips not only reduces your electricity bills and you save your money. It also helps to reduce the pollution that is emitted from these non renewable sources of energy.
• This will help to keep the earth greener and each one of us should realize the urgency and importance this has for mankind.
• If all of us do our bit the earth will be healthy and pollution free in the same way as it was earlier.

Note: Watch the useful video at the end!

How to reduce electricity bills, source: YouTube

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 Chitrangada Sharan

Comments

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on October 13, 2016:

Thank you Glenn Stock for your kind visit and valuable feedback!

I am glad you liked the tips and thanks for adding another useful suggestion.

Thanks and a very good day to you!

Glenn Stok from Long Island, NY on October 13, 2016:

There are so many ways to save energy and you have provided a great list of tips. I always shut off lights when I leave a room, but there are definitely other things that can be done as you have mentioned.

When you mentioned the sun control films, you reminded me of something else I can do right away: Adjust the blinds, where the sun is shining in, so that the light doesn't heat up the house in the summer.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2015:

Thank you gnathblogs, for reading and commenting on this article!

Glad you found the tips useful.

Gurunath from Hyderabad on June 11, 2015:

Good tips... Chitrangada Sharan hope everybody practice doing that...and save our planet

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on October 29, 2014:

Thanks Marina7, for reading and commenting!

Marina from Clarksville TN on October 28, 2014:

Great green suggestions!!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 01, 2014:

Thank you virazoza, for your kind visit and positive comments!

I am glad you liked this hub. By following simple tips we can conserve energy and save our money as well.

Thanks for your insightful comments!

Nilesh oza from Mumbai on July 01, 2014:

These tips are great and very easy to use at home & office.......

ECOLiving Get ideas to save energy and money on lighting, water heating, appliances when you green your kitchen, this are the best ways to save energy and lower your electricity bill with smart lighting and water heating, energy-efficient appliances, and ideas for reducing phantom power. Nice Article

Thank you.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 18, 2014:

Thank you aviannovice, for reading and commenting!

Glad you liked the tips!

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on June 18, 2014:

Add Your Comment…These are all wonderful tips. It was a good idea for you to interview someone from the electric company.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2014:

Thanks goodnews11, for stopping by!

I am glad that you found the hub useful. Power consumption increases during the summer season. This prompted me to explore the possibilities of saving some energy.

Thanks for your appreciation!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2014:

Thank you Jodah, for your kind visit and appreciation!

Glad to know that you found the hub useful.

Many thanks for the share and votes!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2014:

Thanks AudreyHowitt, for stopping by!

Good to know that you are conserving both energy and water.

I am glad that you found this information useful.

I am fine and wish you a good day!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2014:

Thanks heidithorne, for your kind visit and appreciation!

The window film is very effective way to reduce consumption of power. I have also gradually learnt microwave cooking. Of course there are certain things which can not be cooked in it, but there are varieties of nutritious recipes which can be cooked- fast and economical.

Thanks for voting up and sharing!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2014:

Thanks Nell, for your kind visit and positive feedback!

I am glad that you liked the suggestions to reduce the electricity bills in this hub.

One of my friends had suggested to soak the veggies in warm water before cooking in the microwave. You are doing the right thing.

Thanks for voting up and sharing!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2014:

Thanks informationshelte, for your visit and insightful comments!

You are right, taking even small but concrete steps can make us reach big goals towards a greener earth.

Thanks for adding to this hub by suggesting use of Solar cookers.

Thank you!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2014:

Thanks Devika, for stopping by!

Glad you liked the hub and yes, each one of us should take care to switch off appliances, when not in use.

Thanks!

OSBERT JOEL C from CHENNAI on June 12, 2014:

Nice information!! You have really done a great job. In a developing country ours saving of energy is very important. But no one cares about that. Well done...

John Hansen from Australia (Gondwana Land) on June 11, 2014:

Very good hub, with invaluable information that we all need to put into practice. Voted up and shared.

Audrey Howitt from California on June 11, 2014:

All very useful. We are conserving both energy and water these days. Hope this comment finds you well

Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on June 11, 2014:

The window film sounds like a great idea. I'll have to look at that. Agree with the microwave use for conserving and time... although there are a few things that just don't cook well in it. Wasn't entirely aware of the earth leakages. Interesting. Voted up, interesting and sharing!

Nell Rose from Buckinghamshire UK on June 11, 2014:

Great information chitrangada, I actually do warm up the veg before I put it in the microwave, usually in a bowl of warm water, all these ideas are great, voted up and shared! nell

informationshelte on June 11, 2014:

When it comes to saving energy, and as a result, our planet, the plan should be to follow little steps to reach big goals gradually, as your tips suggest. If every single person on earth tried to apply only a tiny percentage of small-scale actions on a daily basis towards saving the planet, the result would be much more effective than waiting for long-term measures by governments. Those decisions are usually slow to be made and even slower to be applied.

I would also like to suggest another way to use solar power and cut the cost of food preparation, by using a solar oven. It's even more energy and money-saving than using a microwave oven.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on June 11, 2014:

I really need to get into the habit of unplugging appliances when not in use helpful tips here. One should consider your valuable information.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 11, 2014:

Thanks ARUNKANTIji, for your kind visit and positive comments!

I am glad you found the suggestions informative and useful.

Thanks!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 11, 2014:

Thanks billybuc, for your visit and appreciation!

Glad you liked it and I hope everyone does their bit to save energy. It is in the interest of our children, the future generation.

Thanks!

ARUN KANTI CHATTERJEE from KOLKATA on June 10, 2014:

This informative hub should be read by millions. Thank you very much for the excellent suggestions.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on June 10, 2014:

All wonderful suggestions my friend, and a very important topic. Now if people will only do these things. :)