These Mistakes Could Be Driving Up Your Electricity Bill in Your PG in Delhi

Living in Delhi involves negotiating with a lot of extreme weather extremes. And you combat that by cranking up the air conditioner in the summer and the heater in the winter. All that electricity consumption is sure to drive up your electricity bill. And if you’re a student or a young professional, bearing that cost is going to put a lot of pressure on your wallet. So, if you’re looking for a way to minimize your electricity consumption in your paying guest accommodation, you’re in the right place. Because we’ve got a list of mistakes you can avoid to reduce your costs. And if you’d rather avoid this headache altogether, you can look up some managed residences or a PG for boys in Delhi that integrates these costs into the monthly rent. But if you’re not that lucky, we’ve still got you covered. And with our help, you should be able to reverse that consumption and save some of your hard-earned money. So, without further ado, let’s look at some of the energy mistakes you could be making, and how to avoid them.

Let in the light

If you’re someone who has forgotten what the outside world looks like in the past few months because you’ve been relying only on artificial lighting in your PG room, it might be time to change that up. Draw your curtains back and let in the natural light. Even if your room doesn’t receive a lot of sunlight, relying on some natural light for as long as possible in the day will give your bulbs and lamps (and energy consumption) a break, and even be better for your eyes. So why not set your desk up by a window in the daytime? And if your PG room doesn’t have a window, then you need to switch to smarter lighting. Your tube lights and desk lamps may be adding to the aesthetics of your room, but it’s also adding to your energy consumption. Consider switching your old bulbs to LEDs for a cheaper and more environmentally efficient alternative.

Embrace the power drain

When you’re studying or working from home, you feel like you need to be online all the time. And that means you don’t want the risk of your phone or laptop running out of battery. The quick fix? Keeping them plugged in and charging around the clock. But this actually isn’t a good idea for your devices or your electricity bill. Not only is it a huge energy drain, but keeping your devices constantly plugged in can also put a lot of pressure on their batteries. The last thing you want is for your phone or computer to stop working altogether. So, instead of keeping them charging all day, consider only plugging them in at times when you’re not going to be using them (mealtimes or while you’re asleep can be a good way to keep your appliances charged without putting extra strain on their batteries).

Control the temperature

Yes, we know that the weather in Delhi tends to be in the extremes during both winter and summer, and that means your PG’s air conditioner could be running overtime. And just because you’re not feeling the heat, doesn’t mean your electricity bill isn’t. Well, we’re not going to tell you to swelter or freeze. Because changing the temperature by even a few degrees can actually have a huge impact on the electricity you’re consuming. Keep in mind that your goal should be to be comfortable, not to be freezing during the summer. So, perhaps your AC doesn’t need to always be at 18 degrees. And if the weather isn’t all that hot on a particular day, perhaps you don’t need to turn the AC on at all. After all, your home office doesn’t have a dress code, so you can feel free to dress according to the weather. It’ll be worth it when you see the differences it makes to your electricity bill.

Unplug

Take a look around your single room PG in Delhi. How many appliances do you have that are plugged in and switched on even when you’re not using them? The most common culprits tend to be your phone and laptop chargers, hair dryers, lamps, speakers etc. And if you’ve got these items plugged in, they’re stealing some of your valuable energy (and money) without you even realising it. So, you need to be a lot more vigilant about your consumption patterns. Keep your appliances next to the power sockets instead of always plugged in or remember to unplug your charger after each use. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes on your energy consumption. Of course, if your PG provides some common-use appliances, then you don’t need to worry about footing the entire electricity cost for those by yourself

So, there you have it. Saving money on your electricity bills isn’t just a matter of switching off lights and fans. There are several effortless ways for you to save money, without compromising on your lifestyle or your work/study from home habits. Try incorporating some of these tips into your life and see the difference for yourself!