ENERGY CONSERVATION IN DOMESTIC SECTOR

Energy used at home comprises of energy for cooking & processing food, comforts and luxuries. While an urban home largely depends on cooking gas and electricity for its energy requirements, 90% of the energy demand of a rural home is dependent on fire wood or fuelwood. It is said that 50% of the energy consumption of the country is utilized for cooking activity – considering commercial as well as non-commercial energy.

The domestic energy expenditure, with the increasing cost of energy, is gradually assuming a sizable share of the total domestic expenditure. The per capita electricity consumption in the country is reported to be about 400 units per annum with Gujarat on the top with an average of about 650 units.

The share electricity consumption in the domestic sector is about 10-12 %. The average cost of one unit of electricity in Gujarat is in the range of Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 4.0 and monthly electricity bill of an average household is about Rs. 500/-. Some of the energy intensive electrical gadgets used at home are geysers, oven/ microwave, air conditioners, refrigerators and pumps.

Cheap and sub-standard gadgets consume more energy as compared to expensive standard gadgets and prove to be costlier on a long run. Consideration should be given to the "life cycle cost" rather than the capital cost while purchasing any gadget. Following efficient practices and using efficient devices can save about 20-30% of the energy cost.