Understanding Electricity Consumption

Electricity Consumption in a house 

Here’s an estimation of the daily electricity consumption and cost for a 3BHK house based on common appliances. The electricity tariff is assumed to be ₹6 per kWh (kilowatt-hour), which is an average rate in Indian cities.

Updated Total Daily Consumption and Cost:Total Daily Consumption: 50.95 kWh. Total Daily Cost: ₹305.7 (approx. ₹306)

Summary:Daily Electricity Cost: ₹306.Monthly Electricity Cost: ₹9,171

This is an estimate and actual costs may vary based on usage patterns and the local electricity tariff.

Ways to save consumption 

To reduce your electricity consumption and cost, especially for a 3BHK house, consider the following strategies:

1. Energy-Efficient Appliances:

Air Conditioners: Switch to inverter ACs, which consume significantly less energy than regular ACs. Inverter ACs adjust their power consumption based on the room’s cooling needs, avoiding unnecessary energy usage.

LED Lighting: Ensure all your bulbs are energy-efficient LEDs. LED bulbs consume up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer.

Refrigerator: Opt for 5-star rated refrigerators that use advanced cooling technology and consume less electricity.

2. Use Smart Plugs and Power Strips:Timers and Smart Plugs: Use timers or smart plugs to schedule the operation of appliances like geysers, ACs, and lights. This ensures they are only running when needed and not unnecessarily.Power Strips: For devices like laptops, TVs, and microwaves, use power strips and turn them off when not in use. Even when appliances are in standby mode, they consume some power (called phantom load).

3. Optimize Air Conditioner Usage:Maintain Temperature: Set the AC temperature to 24-26°C, which is optimal for energy efficiency. Every degree lower increases consumption by 6-8%.Use Fans: Run ceiling fans along with the AC to circulate air more effectively, allowing you to set the AC at a higher temperature.Clean Filters Regularly: Dirty AC filters force the system to work harder, consuming more power.

4. Reduce Geyser Consumption:Use Solar Water Heaters: Installing a solar water heater can save significantly on geyser usage, especially in sunny climates.Lower Temperature Setting: Set the thermostat of your geyser to 60°C instead of higher temperatures to save energy.

6. Smart Refrigerator Management:Temperature Settings: Keep the refrigerator at around 3-5°C and the freezer at -18°C for optimal performance.Regular Defrosting: For non-frost-free models, regularly defrost the fridge to prevent ice buildup, which reduces efficiency.

7. Use Energy-Efficient Fans:Replace older fans with BLDC (Brushless DC Motor) fans, which consume 60-70% less energy than traditional ceiling fans. A BLDC fan uses about 28-30 watts, compared to a regular fan’s 75 watts.

Potential Savings:By implementing the above strategies, you could potentially reduce your electricity consumption by 20-40%. This would lower your monthly cost from approximately ₹9,171 to around ₹5,500 - ₹7,300, depending on usage patterns and appliance upgrades.

Summary Table of Key Energy-Efficient Changes:

Ratings / Specification of Appliances

Electrical appliances have various ratings and labels that provide essential information about their performance, safety, and energy efficiency. These ratings help users understand how the appliance operates, how much power it consumes, and its suitability for specific environments. Below are the common ratings found on electrical appliances and their meanings:

Benefit of Solar Installation in houses 

A 3bhk size would require approx 5kw solar setup. It's analysis over its advantage is shared in the table below