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 are properly and economically use our household electrical appliances we can save our electricity bill by minimum 20%. Again our House hold equipment will last more. The Load shedding will be minimized and country as a whole will be benefited.
Lower 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)
Electricity Consumption of Electrical Items
|
Sl
|
Item
|
Consumption Watt
|
Hours For 1 Unit Use
|
Remarks
|
|
1
|
100
watt normal light
|
100
|
10
|
|
|
2
|
32/33
Watt CFL (equivalent to 100 watt normal bulb)
|
32/33
|
30
|
66%
saving
|
|
3
|
60
watt normal bulb
|
60
|
16.67
|
|
|
4
|
22
watt CFL (equivalent to 60 watt normal bulb)
|
22
|
45
|
60%
saving
|
|
5
|
4
feet Tube light (normal ballast)
|
48-50
|
21
|
|
|
6
|
4
feet Tube light (Electronic ballast)
|
34
|
29
|
|
|
7
|
TV
|
100
|
10
|
|
|
8
|
Refrigerator
|
100
|
10
|
|
|
9
|
Computer
|
100
|
10
|
|
|
10
|
Computer
in Standby mode
|
10
|
100
|
1/10th
of full use
|
|
11
|
Fan
|
75
|
14
|
|
|
12
|
1
Horse Power pump
|
750
|
1.33
|
|
|
13
|
Electric
Iron
|
1000
|
1
|
|
|
14
|
Air
conditioner
|
2000
|
0.5
|
|
|
15
|
Washing
machine
|
500
|
2
|
|
|
16
|
Geyser
|
2000
|
0.5
|
|
For Domestic Consumer, 1 Unit costs - Tk. 3.62 including VAT
For Commercial Consumer, 1 Unit costs- Tk. 6.10 including VAT
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 percent electricity for heating and 10% for illumination, as such our environment becomes hot. Instead, in places where Incandescent Lamps are used more than 4 hours a day, use Fluorescent or Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) or Energy Saving Lamps. It will save more than 60% electricity cost. Again, they come with at least 1 year warranty. But always buy Good quality CFL. There will be less heat emission in CFL leading to Less Green house effect. In Australia, England etc all normal bulbs are being replaced by CFL.
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 gives decorative look but decreases light intensity, so try to avoid Shades on Lamps.
Fans and regulators should be regularly serviced. Get 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 air flow and consume less electricity. Again when using Washing machines or Dish washer use it with Full load of clothes or Crockery. Again try to dry clothes in the sun or air. Remember to Iron clothes in bulk thereby utilizing more heat with same electricity.
Always buy Energy efficient Electric items. Let’s save money in Electric bill and help to solve Electricity shortage problem of our country and build a prosperous Bangladesh.
Shah Zulfiqar Haider, PEng, General Manager-Noakhali PBS. |