Follow these tips to save energy this summer!

Temperatures have been pushing the 40 degrees mark in many parts of the country this summer, and are expected to continue soaring. To counter the heat, we tend to keep our fans, coolers and ACs on most of the time, leading to increased energy consumption and soaring electricity bills. While it may not be possible to do away with these electronic comforts, here are some tips that you can follow to save up on energy costs, and keep cool this summer:

Service your air conditioner and clean AC filters regularly: If the AC ducts are clogged and dirty, your AC will have to work harder to keep up the cooling, thereby consuming more energy. Hence, by cleaning your AC filters regularly, or as per the manufacturers guidelines, the AC will work more efficiently.  You can  also save energy by setting the temperature at 24-26 degrees, thus saving up energy on every 1 degree of cooling that you do without.  You can use a fan in conjunction with the AC, as that will help circulate cool air, so you won’t need to lower your AC’s temperature much.

Keep doors and windows open for air circulation: Maximise the amount of fresh air being circulated in your room by keeping the doors and windows open, in the morning and late evenings. This way, you can avoid switching on the AC for the entire day, and thus conserve energy. 

Upgrade to a newer, more energy efficient AC:  The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has a star-rating programme which rates all electric appliances on the basis of their energy efficiency - the higher the rating, the more energy efficient it is. Hence, you can help conserve energy by opting for an AC, fridge or washing machine with a five star energy efficiency rating. Energy efficient ACs provide much better cooling than the standard ones, and consume less energy.  Also ensure that doors/windows are closed properly while operating the AC, to avoid the cool air from escaping.

Unplug electric appliances when not in use: By keeping your laptop or mobile chargers plugged in when you are not using them, you are wasting electricity.  So turn off and unplug all electrical appliances when not in use. Electronic appliances also generate heat, when plugged in, thus by unplugging them, you will also be able to reduce the heat generated. 

Keep blinds or curtains closed during noon time: By keeping blinds and curtains closed when the sun’s intensity is at its peak, you can keep the room cooler. Your AC will, thus, need that much less energy to cool the room down. 

Install energy efficient lights, and maximise use of day light: Summer is when you have the most amount of natural light coming into the house, so maximise the use of day light, by keeping binds open in the morning. Another good idea would be to switch over to energy efficient LED lights, and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), which are four times more energy efficient than the regular incandescent lamps.

Avoid peak energy hours of 10 AM – 8 PM: As much as possible, use heavy household appliances such as washing machines, geysers, irons, etc before or after the peak energy hours of 10 AM – 8 PM. By doing so, you can avoid adding on to the peak hour energy demand. 

Switch off lights and fans when not in use: And conserve energy by using electric chokes and regulators. 

Leave space between refrigerator and the wall: By doing so, air can circulate freely around the fridge. Also ensure that you do not keep the fridge doors open for long, and that the door is sealed properly at night. 

Cook with the lid closed: Thaw vegetables and other food items taken out of the refrigerator, and bring it to room temperature before cooking. This makes the heating and cooking process faster, thereby saving up on fuel.