It is rightly said that energy saved is energy generated. Every units saved will reduce the power shortage and power cuts. Thus by saving energy you will not only pay reduced bills but also face reduced power cuts. Consumers can reduce their energy charges to a significant extent by adopting following energy saving tips:

1. LIGHTING
   1. The best energy saving is done by switching off the fans and other electrical appliances when not in use.
   2. Use task lighting. It focuses light where it’s needed. A reading lamp, for example, lights only reading material rather than the whole room.
   3. Dirty tube lights and bulbs reflect less light and can absorb 50 per cent of the light; dust off your tube lights and lamps regularly.
   4. Fluorescent tube lights and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) covert electricity to visible light up to 5 times more efficiently than ordinary bulbs and thus save upto 70% of electricity of the same lighting levels. A 15-watt CFL produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Replace ordinary bulbs (incandescent lamps) with Compact Fluorescent Lamps.
   5. Many devices help in saving energy used in lighting. Consider employing infrared sensors, automatic timers & dimmers wherever applicable, to switch on / off lighting circuits.
   6. Use Electronic regulators for fans instead of conventional ones.
2. ROOM AIR CONDITIONERS
   1. Ceiling fans and table fans cost about Rs. 0.30 paisa per hour while ACs cost about Rs. 10.00 per hour. Use ACs as sparingly as possible.
   2. Plant trees and shrubs around your house to shield the house from direct heat of the Sun. Shading your house’s windows and walls may increase the efficiency of your AC by as much as 40%.
   3. Each degree above 22^o C helps in increasing AC efficiency by 3 to 5%. So set the thermostat of AC at 25^o C to have best comfort at least cost.
   4. Clean the air-conditioner filter every month. A dirty air filter reduces air flow and may damage the unit. Clean filters enable the unit to cool down quickly and use less energy.
   5. If room air conditioner is older and needs repair, it’s likely to be very inefficient. It may prove economical to replace it with a new energy efficient air conditioner.
   6. Keep doors to air-conditioned rooms closed as far as possible.
3. REFRIGERATORS
   1. Refrigerator motors and compressors generate heat, so allow enough space for continuous airflow around refrigerator.
   2. A full refrigerator is fine, but be sure to allow adequate air circulation inside.
   3. When it’s dark, place a lit flashlight inside the refrigerator and close the door. If light around the door is seen, the seals need to be replaced.
   4. Make sure that refrigerator is kept away from all sources of heat, including direct sunlight, radiators and appliances such as the oven, and cooking range.
   5. Allow hot and warm foods to cool and cover them well before putting them in refrigerator.
   6. Think about what you need before opening refrigerator door. You’ll reduce the amount of time the door remains open.
   7. When dust builds up on refrigerator’s condenser coils, the motor works harder and uses more electricity. Clean the coils regularly to make sure that air can circulate freely.
   8. For manual defrost refrigerator, accumulation of ice reduces the cooling power by acting as unwanted insulation. Defrost freezer compartment regularly for a manual defrost refrigerator.
4. WATER HEATERS
   1. By reducing the temperature setting of water heater from 60^o C to 50^o C, one could save over 18 per cent of the energy used at the higher setting.
   2. To help reduce heat loss, always insulate hot water pipes, especially where they run through unheated areas. Never insulate plastic pipes.
   3. If possible, use a solar water heater. In India, it can be useful for about 8 months a year.
5. MICROWAVE OVENS
   1. Use Microwave oven. It saves up to 50 per cent of your cooking energy costs for a regular oven, especially for small quantities of food.
   2. Remember, microwaves cook food from the outside edge toward the center of the dish, so if you’re cooking more than one item, place larger and thicker items on the outside.
6. ELECTRIC KETTLES
   1. When buying a new electric kettle, choose one that has an automatic shut – off button and a heat – resistant handle.
   2. It takes more energy to heat a dirty kettle. Regularly clean your electric kettle by combining boiling water and vinegar to remove mineral deposits.
7. COMPUTERS
   1. Turn off your computer when not in use. A computer that runs 24 hours day, uses-more power than an energy – efficient refrigerator.
   2. If your computer must be left on, turn off the monitor; this device alone uses more than half the system’s energy.
   3. Setting computers, monitors, and copiers to use sleep – mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by approximately 40%.
   4. Battery chargers, such as those for laptops, cell phones and digital cameras, draw power whenever they are left plugged in. Pull the plug and save energy.
   5. Screen savers save computer screens, not energy.