Electricity is one of our basic requirements. Our electricity use is increasing. Again we often hear the Electricity Tariff is going to be increased The cost of electricity up to consumer point is around Tk 5.50 per KWHr (unit), but Consumers are charged around Tk.3.50 per KWHr. So loss per Unit is Tk. 2 (!). As such Utilities need to further raise electricity tariff.
Again Load shedding has made our life miserable. So what to do??
SAVE ENERGY &, MONEY
“Cut your coat according to your cloth”. Even in Holy Quran it is written, “One who misuses is Satan’s brother”. If we properly and economically use our household electrical appliances, we can save our electricity bill by minimum 20%. Again our Household equipment will last more. The Load shedding will be minimized and Country as a whole will be benefited.
LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL
A 100-watt bulb when used for 10 hours consumes One Kilowatt hour or 1 Unit of electricity (100 watt x 10 hours= 1000 watt hours=1 Kilowatt hour=1 Unit). For Domestic Consumer, 1 Unit costs Tk. 3.62 and for Commercial Consumer, 1 Unit costs- Tk. 6.10 including VAT.
CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICAL ITEMS
A 100-watt normal bulb consumes 1 Unit of electricity in 10 hours, whereas a 32/33-Watt Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) with same illumination takes 30 hours for same consumption. Similarly a 60-watt normal bulb consumes 1 Unit in 16 hours, whereas a 22-Watt CFL with same illumination takes 45 hours for same consumption. Result minimum 66% saving.
A 4 feet Tube lamp with ordinary ballast consumes 1 Unit in 21 hours, whereas same Tube lamp with electronic ballast and with same illumination takes 29 hours for same consumption.
A TV, Refrigerator and Computer in use consume 1 Unit in 10 hours. A Computer in Standby mode it consumes only same electricity in 100 hours.
A normal fan consumes 1 Unit of electricity in 14 hours, but an air conditioner consumes same electricity in half an hour.
A One Horse Power Water pump with 75% Power factor and a normal Electric Iron consumes 1 Unit in One hour. A Geyser consumes One Unit in 30 minutes.
HOW TO SAVE ELECTRICITY & MONEY?
Switch off the lights, TV, Computer, Fans etc when you do not use or when you go out the room. This is a common mistake we often do. Use sunlight as much possible in rooms or indoors. Light colors paints, distempers on walls reflect better thereby require less light.
Normal Incandescent lamps are cheap but it consumes 90% electricity for heating and 10% for illumination, as such our environment becomes hot. The places where Incandescent Lamps are used more than 4 hours a day use Fluorescent or Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) or Energy Saving Lamps.
If you use Tube Lights, use Slim Tube Lights with electronic ballasts. A 4-feet Tube light with electronic ballast consumes around 34 watts but its illumination is no less than 100-watt incandescent lamp.
Regularly clean Lights, Tube lights, reflectors etc. It will give more illumination with same bulb. Also use Dimmers as much possible. Use Table lamps instead of Room lights for reading purpose. Fancy shades on Lamps, Tube lights give decorative look but decreases light intensity, so try to avoid Shades on Lamps.
Fans and regulators should be regularly serviced. All electric wiring and grounding checked regularly by qualified people. This will minimize electricity leakage, accident and also save electricity. Remember to keep Computers in “standby mode” or “off” when not in use.
Use multiple door Refrigerators. Again it should have Energy star rating, i.e. consume less electricity for same cooling. Keep Refrigerator, Deep freeze well ventilated & open the door as less as possible.
Air conditioners and Geysers consume maximum electricity. Average use of Air conditioner will cost Tk. 2000/ or more per month in electric bill. So use fans as much possible or both fan and air conditioner together. It will cool the room with less electricity. Check, clean or replace the filter of air conditioner on monthly basis. It will give more life to Air conditioner as dirty filter blocks airflow and consume more electricity. Again when using Washing machines or Dish washer use it with Full load of clothes or Crockery. Try to dry clothes in the sun or air. Remember to Iron clothes in bulk thereby utilizing more heat with same electricity.