20 ways to save electricity (without sacrificing comfort)

The biggest wins, first

1. Swap to BLDC ceiling fans. They use 60% less electricity than conventional fans. Payback in a single summer.
2. Upgrade to a 5-star inverter AC. 20–35% less consumption than a 3-star fixed-speed unit.
3. Set AC thermostat to 24 °C. Every °C lower raises consumption by ~6%.
4. Clean AC filters monthly. Dirty filters force the compressor to overwork by 5–15%.
5. LED everywhere. Replace every bulb, including the bathroom nightlight.
6. Solar rooftop (with PM Surya Ghar subsidy). Payback 3–6 years; free electricity for 20+ years after.

Habitual wins

7. Switch appliances off at the wall when not in use (kills standby draw).
8. Use natural light during the day — open curtains before flipping switches.
9. Use cold wash cycles on the washing machine; they use 1/3 the energy of hot wash.
10. Dry clothes on the line, not in the dryer.
11. Iron clothes in batches to avoid repeated reheating.

Appliance-specific

12. Geyser: set thermostat to 55 °C and run only 15–20 minutes before use.
13. Fridge: keep it 5 cm away from walls, and don't stuff it with hot food.
14. Microwave small reheats instead of using the stove.
15. Induction stove is 80% efficient vs gas at 40–55% — lower running cost for quick cooking.
16. Use a pressure cooker; cuts cooking time (and energy) by half.

Technical upgrades

17. Install a voltage stabiliser — prevents appliance damage and over-voltage consumption.
18. Upgrade to a smart meter — helps you track real-time usage patterns.
19. Consider a heat-pump geyser (60–70% less energy than resistive).
20. Use a timer / smart plug for geyser, aquarium pump, and outdoor lights.

Want to quantify your savings? Use our appliance calculator to compare before and after for any specific appliance.