How appliance cost is worked out
Units (kWh) = watts × hours used × number of appliances ÷ 1,000. Monthly cost = units for 30 days × your rate per unit.
Electricity tariffs in India are in slabs: the first units of the month are cheaper and the rate rises as you use more, plus a fixed charge and electricity duty. So the best rate to use is your own: total bill amount ÷ units consumed, from your last bill. The state figures here are approximate averages for a typical home and change every year when the state commission issues a new tariff order.
Biggest savings
- An AC set to 24–26 °C uses about 6% less power for every degree higher. Clean the filter every two weeks in summer.
- A geyser with a timer, or switched off after use, can save several hundred units a year.
- BEE 5-star appliances use roughly 20–30% less than 3-star ones; the yearly units are printed on the star label.
- Replacing old 40 W tube lights with 18–20 W LED battens halves the lighting bill.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my bill higher than this?
Your bill adds fixed charges, electricity duty and fuel surcharges, and higher slabs cost more per unit. Use your bill amount ÷ units as the rate for a closer estimate.
How many units does a 1.5 ton AC use?
About 1.2–1.6 units an hour for a typical 3-star non-inverter AC, and roughly 0.8–1.1 for a 5-star inverter AC once the room has cooled.
Does a fridge run all day?
It is switched on all day but the compressor runs only part of the time. A double-door fridge uses about 0.8–1.2 units a day; the label shows units per year.