Save our energy

There is enormous scope for energy saving by domestic consumers, wo number 1.3 crore in the State. Domestic consumers need to pay a lot of attention to lighting, according to a senior official of the Cheif Electrical Inspectorate. (According to the Tamil Nadu Electricity board, lighting load constitues more than 30 per cent in the category of domestic consumers).

* While using air conditioners or television sets, it is not enough to switch off the remote control; one has to turn off the main switch.

* Likewise, while charging mobile phones, do not allow the equipment to be charged beyond what is necessary.

* As far lamps, the official recomends the replacement of 100-watt incandescent bulbs with 20-watt compact fluroscent lamps(CFL). In terms of lighting, both are same.

* The light of an incandescent bulb is 1,000 hour, but that of the CFL is six times more. Though the initial cost of an ordinary bulb is cheaper than the CFL, people can gain reduction in power bills immediately and recover the cost in a matter of months.

Electronic Chokes.

* Another simple way of conservation is to install electronic chokes in place of the conventional copper-wound electromagnetic chokes. This will improve lighting and increase the life of lamps.

* Use task lighting, as far as possible. A reading lamp lights only the reading material, not the whole room. Infrared sensors, motion sensors and automatic timers are among the devices that can be used to achieve energy saving in lighting.