Power Less

While most natural resources come rationed, solar energy is amongst the only few that comes in free flow and making full use are city residents.

With budget cuts and the cry for ‘Go Green’ echoing high, it’s time we slim down our electricity bills. Here’s how to do it

* GO SOLAR: While most natural resources come rationed, solar energy is amongst the only few that comes in free flow and making full use are city residents. Designed and built for the express purpose of reducing the cost of heating water compared to conventionally fueled methods, “Government subsidies to the tune of about Rs 4500 per 100 litre have made the solar geysers very popular,” Ramandeep Singh, Director of of Synergy Solar (P) Limited, Sector 28, tells us that the heater works on a natural convention phenomenon called ‘Thermosyphon’. Priced between Rs 16,000 to Rs 24,000, housewife Sunita Sareen who installed the system at her house in Sector 10 says that the system saves about 2300 units of electricity (Rs 9200) every year. Also a part of the Carbon Credit Scheme on these geysers you can also avail the facility by paying 10 per cent of the total amount and Rs 1.45 paisa per litre of water used. When talking about solar energy, the solar garden and gate lights priced between Rs 500 to Rs 1600 too are peeping through many gates.

* RIGHT LIGHT: While CFLs are still ruling city rooms, light-emitting-diode (LED) system too is fast finding its way in to light up homes. Said to be designed to operate with no more than 30-60 milliwatts of electrical power, “it uses about 20 per cent power of a normal bulb,” informs Arjun Goyal of Kapoor Lights Lifestyle, Industrial Area, who shows us its use in cove lighting. With LED down lighting priced at Rs 900, “there are Chinese options available in these as well,” adds Goyal.

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* IT SAVVY: Choosing LCDs over CRT monitors have become a matter of fact for city residents, specially when it comes to looking at the running cost. But what has had many stop and switch computer brands is Dell, which with its PC Vostro 410. “Priced at Rs 32,900, it promises to reduce electricity bills by about 47 per cent,” tells Amit Sharda of AAR Computers, Sector 20, who says that among other brands offering energy saving options are Samsung, LG and Sony. As for Pradi Moudgil, a Class XII student of Carmel Convent School, it’s a laptop employing the Bluetooth device, along with Intel’s power-saving technique that helps save up to 1 Watt.

* HOT DEAL: After cars, its the turn of heaters to turn to gas. With DeLonghi and Clix among others offering umpteen options. “It’s popular not among those who want to decrease the bill, but also among people who suffer from long electricity cuts,” tells Veena Aggarwal of Amrit Agencies, Sector 7. But for Ankit Gupta, a businessman in Sector 28, the gas geyser is the best deal.

* WALL WONDER: To call it an equipment will be totally incorrect, but it is an important tool nevertheless. Used in various forms since times immortal, “insulated walls are great for green buildings. They help maintain moderate temperature,” says architect Rajnish Wattas, insisting that when combined with landscape elements, like proper placement of trees, can do wonders.