Do you know that much of the electricity used in homes is wasted because of faulty practices and our choice of gadgets? Award-winning energy consultant and expert on water efficiency and green business U. V. Krishna Mohan Rao says it’s possible to drastically reduce our electricity consumption by adopting a few simple measures. Rao’s family of six living in Viswa Syamalam, spread over 2,000 sq.ft., consumes only 100 units of electricity a month. His firm, U. V. Krishna Mohan Rao Associates, charges customers a fee based on the energy savings they achieve. Excerpts from an interview:
What are the common mistakes we make that lead to electricity wastage?
One of the common mistakes is turning off appliances using the remote, which leads to significant loss of ‘stand-by’ power. 1-5 per cent of the electricity consumed by the appliance when in use, continues to get consumed by it even when it is turned off using the remote. Placing warm/hot food in the refrigerator is another mistake. We should pump water into the overhead tank during non-peak hours (6 to 10 p.m. in many states), which ensures better efficiency as the quality of power received then is better.
Do electrical appliances that are plugged in even after turning off the power source lead to power wastage?
No, this does not cause any electricity drainage. It’s a myth that appliances that are plugged in to the power source cause wastage.
How can we minimise electricity consumption when using air-conditioners?
Use air-conditioners in combination with a ceiling/wall/pedestal fan and set the AC temperature at 27 degrees. This will give you the same cooling comfort as you would get when you set the temperature between 18 and 22 degrees. Opt for moderate cooling as air-conditioners are not meant to chill the room and necessitate the use of blankets. Remove redundant material/furniture from the room as electricity gets spent on cooling it.
What lighting fixtures can we use that will help conserve energy?
The entire home can be made to receive ample natural light throughout the day by channelling in sunlight through large windows, light pipes, extra windows at higher levels, etc. For the night, use LED lights that consume just a fraction of electricity as compared to CFLs/fluorescent tube lights. Painting walls in white or pastel shades enhances lighting and minimises heat absorption from sunlight.
Does minimising electricity consumption necessarily involve high initial costs?
If done during the construction stage, it may cost less. Redundant investments on voltage stabilisers, unnecessary wiring, etc, can be avoided. Retrofitting can be done at a later date, considering the recurring operating expenditure.
What should we keep in mind while buying gadgets?
Use only star-rated and super-efficient appliances. Ask about ‘stand-by’ power consumption details. Choose appliances that can run on wide voltage variations (160 V to 240 V) without the need for external stabilisers as stabilisers consume between 1 and 5 per cent of the electricity they draw in. If you have to use a stabiliser, locate it outside the air-conditioned room, as stabilisers generate heat. For hot water, use solar-thermal heaters, not electric geysers. For daily washing purposes, do not turn on the heater in the washing machine.
