Practical Tips To Reduce Our Electricity Consumption
What is the average electricity bill for your home? Are you paying more than you should be paying for electricity? How can it be reduced?
Electricity bills are a constant concern for all of us. When the bill for electricity comes to our house every month, most people look at the total amount, sigh and move on without thinking. But have you ever wondered why your electricity bill is so high? Are they excessively high? Could you save more money? And most importantly, how is your electricity consumption measured?
Understanding your electricity bill and how it is read can help you control your expenses. In this blog, we will learn how to break down our average electricity bill, how the reading process works, and how we can optimize our energy consumption to reduce costs.
Understand the reasons behind our average electricity bill.
Our electricity bill is not just an exponential number, it is based on several key factors:
Electricity Consumption (units used)
Our power provider measures usage in kilowatt-hours. All the electrical appliances in our house consume a certain amount of electricity, which is added to our total bill.
Average Electricity Bill Example:
Low energy homes (LED bulbs, energy efficient appliances) use roughly 100 – 200 kWh per month.
The average household (regular appliances, moderate AC usage) uses 200 – 500 kWh per month.
High-energy households (multiple AC’s, water heaters, electric stoves, washing machines) can use 500 + kWh per month.
Electricity Tariffs
Electricity rates vary by state and provider. In India, tariffs usually range from ₹3 to ₹8 per unit depending on the usage slab. More consumption often means a higher per-unit rate.
Fixed charges and taxes
In addition to use, bills include:
Fixed Charge: The basic service fee.
Fuel surcharge: Adjustment based on fluctuations in fuel prices.
Taxes: They vary from state to state.
Meter reading: How is our electricity consumption measured?
Energy meters are installed in our homes to measure the consumption of electricity, which helps track how much electricity our home consumes. Generally energy meters are of two types:
Analog meter.
These meters have rotating dials.
In this case, our electricity consumption is read by the electricity board officials themselves.
There may be human error in reading it.
Digital meter (smart meter)
These meters digitally display our electricity consumption.
In this case, our consumption can be read remotely (no need to read physically).
They are more accurate and efficient.
Our meter measures energy consumption in kilowatt-hour (kWh).to calculate your bill:
Last month’s reading – Current month’s reading = units of consumption.
Consumption units × tariff rate = electric charge.
How to reduce the cost of electricity.
Now that you understand how to calculate your bill, let us discuss the best ways to reduce your electricity expenses:
Identify energy-consuming devices.
Some devices consume a lot of electricity. Here is an estimate of their monthly consumption:
Refrigerator: consumes roughly 30 – 50 kWh of electricity.
The air conditioner (1.5 ton, 8 hours / day) consumes 200 – 300 kWh.
Geyser (water heater, 1 hour / day) consumes 100 – 150 kWh.
LED bulbs (10W, 10 bulbs, 5 hours / day) consume 15 kWh.
Switching to an energy-efficient model can cut your average electricity bill by twenty to thirty percent.
We can use solar energy to reduce our dependence on the electricity grid.
By installing a solar system on the roof of our home, we can reduce our average electricity bill by 90% and your solar system investment will be returned to you in 4 to 5 years.
On-grid solar system: Exports excess energy to the grid, which decreases the net consumption of electricity.
Hybrid Solar System uses both grid and solar energy efficiently.
Develop energy-saving habits.
Turn off the devices when not in use.
Use LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
Run heavy appliances (washing machines, water pumps, irons) during off-peak hours.
Monitor and analyze your electricity usage.
Check your meter readings on a weekly basis to keep track of consumption.
Install a smart meter or energy monitoring device.
Compare bills month-to-month to detect unusual spikes.
Conclusion: Take control of your average electricity bill.
Electricity bills can feel like a burden, but understanding how they are calculated and implementing smart energy-saving habits can help you save money every month.
Keep an eye on your electricity meter readings.
Identify and reduce high energy-consuming appliances.
Invest in solar energy to reduce long-term electricity costs.
Make small changes in daily habits to reduce energy wastage.
By staying informed and making conscious choices about energy, you can reduce your average electricity bill and contribute to a greener planet. Want to know how solar energy can help you save even more? Get in touch with us today for a consultation!