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Bills & saving energy
बिल और बिजली की बचत
Units, slabs, standby, AC settings, star labels and solar.
What is one 'unit' of electricity?
One unit is one kilowatt-hour (kWh): 1,000 watts used for one hour. A 100 W appliance running 10 hours uses 1 unit; a 2,000 W heater uses 1 unit in 30 minutes.
हिंदी एक यूनिट = 1 kWh यानी 1000 वाट एक घंटे तक। 100 W उपकरण 10 घंटे में 1 यूनिट लेता है।
How do I calculate how many units an appliance uses?
Units = watts × hours of use ÷ 1,000. A 1,500 W AC running 8 hours a day uses about 12 units a day if the compressor ran the whole time — real use is lower because it cycles. Multiply by 30 for a month, then by your tariff for the cost.
हिंदी यूनिट = वाट × घंटे ÷ 1000। महीने के लिए 30 से गुणा करें और फिर रेट से गुणा करके खर्च निकालें।
Which appliances use the most electricity at home?
Usually anything that heats or cools: ACs, geysers, room heaters, irons, induction and ovens, plus water pumps and old fridges. LED lights, fans, chargers and TVs use much less. Saving on the big users makes the biggest difference.
हिंदी सबसे ज़्यादा बिजली AC, गीज़र, हीटर, प्रेस, इंडक्शन, पंप और पुराना फ्रिज लेते हैं; LED और पंखे बहुत कम।
Why is my electricity bill suddenly high?
Check for a new or faulty appliance, the season (ACs and geysers), an estimated or wrongly read meter, or current leaking through bad wiring. Switch everything off and watch the meter's pulse LED — if it keeps blinking, get the wiring checked; compare the meter reading with the bill.
हिंदी बिल अचानक बढ़ा? नया या खराब उपकरण, मौसम, गलत रीडिंग या लीकेज जाँचें; सब बंद करके मीटर की LED देखें।
What is on my electricity bill besides units?
Bills usually combine fixed charges (based on your sanctioned or connected load), energy charges for units in slabs, electricity duty and taxes, and adjustments such as fuel-cost charges. Rates and slabs differ by state and supplier.
हिंदी बिल में फ़िक्स्ड चार्ज (स्वीकृत लोड पर), यूनिट के स्लैब, बिजली शुल्क और समायोजन होते हैं; दरें राज्य के हिसाब से।
What is sanctioned load?
Sanctioned (contracted) load is the maximum load, in kW, your connection is approved for. It decides parts of your fixed charges and the size of your meter and main breaker. If you add big loads like several ACs, apply to increase it.
हिंदी स्वीकृत लोड वह अधिकतम kW है जिसके लिए कनेक्शन मंज़ूर है; AC जैसे बड़े लोड जोड़ने पर इसे बढ़वाएँ।
How much does standby power cost?
Each set-top box, TV, charger and microwave on standby draws a few watts, but together they can add a few units a month. Switch off at the socket or use a switched extension board for the TV corner.
हिंदी स्टैंडबाय पर सेट-टॉप बॉक्स, TV, चार्जर कुछ-कुछ वाट लेते हैं — मिलाकर महीने में कुछ यूनिट; स्विच से बंद करें।
What AC temperature saves the most electricity?
Around 24–26 °C. Each degree lower adds noticeably to the AC's power use. Combine with a ceiling fan on low, clean filters, closed doors and curtains, and service the AC before summer.
हिंदी AC को 24–26 °C पर रखें; हर डिग्री कम करने पर बिजली बढ़ती है। साथ में पंखा धीमा चलाएँ।
How much can LED lights save on my bill?
Swapping a 60 W bulb for a 9 W LED used 6 hours a day saves about 9 units a month; replacing a 40 W tube with a 20 W batten about 3–4 units. Across a house that's a steady saving every month for years.
हिंदी 60 W बल्ब की जगह 9 W LED (6 घंटे रोज़) — हर महीने लगभग 9 यूनिट की बचत; ट्यूब की जगह बैटन — 3–4 यूनिट।
How much does a BLDC fan save?
Replacing a 75 W fan with a 30–35 W BLDC fan running 12 hours a day saves around 15 units a month per fan — the more hours the fan runs, the faster the savings add up.
हिंदी 75 W पंखे की जगह 30–35 W BLDC (रोज़ 12 घंटे) — हर पंखे पर महीने में लगभग 15 यूनिट की बचत।
How do star labels help me save?
BEE star labels compare energy efficiency within a product type; more stars mean lower running cost. The label often shows estimated yearly units too — compare those between models, not just the stars.
हिंदी BEE स्टार लेबल ज़्यादा स्टार = कम बिजली; लेबल पर सालाना यूनिट भी देखें।
How can I cut my geyser's electricity use?
Set the thermostat around 50–60 °C, switch it on only before bathing, choose the right size (not oversized), keep pipe runs short and insulated, and pick a higher-star model when replacing.
हिंदी थर्मोस्टेट 50–60 °C, नहाने से पहले ही चालू, सही साइज़ और ज़्यादा स्टार वाला गीज़र — बिजली बचेगी।
Does a voltage stabilizer use electricity?
Yes, a little — stabilizers have their own losses, and they draw a small current even when idle. Switch it off along with the appliance, and don't use one where the appliance already handles your supply's voltage range.
हिंदी हाँ, स्टेबलाइज़र खुद थोड़ी बिजली लेता है; उपकरण के साथ इसे भी बंद करें।
How much does running a water pump cost?
A 1 HP pump draws roughly 0.75–1 kW, so running it 30 minutes a day uses about 12–15 units a month. A float switch or automatic controller that stops the pump when the tank is full avoids waste and overflow.
हिंदी 1 HP पंप (लगभग 0.75–1 kW) रोज़ 30 मिनट — महीने में करीब 12–15 यूनिट; ऑटो कंट्रोलर लगाएँ।
Is an inverter AC worth it?
For rooms where the AC runs many hours, usually yes: an inverter compressor slows down instead of switching on and off, holding temperature with less power over a season. For an AC used rarely, the savings are smaller.
हिंदी जहाँ AC ज़्यादा घंटे चलता है वहाँ इनवर्टर AC बिजली बचाता है; कम इस्तेमाल में फ़ायदा कम।
How can I reduce my fridge's power use?
Let hot food cool before putting it in, keep the door seals clean and tight, leave space behind for air, keep the coils dust-free, don't set it colder than needed, and keep it out of direct sun and away from the stove.
हिंदी गर्म खाना ठंडा करके रखें, दरवाज़े की रबर ठीक रखें, पीछे जगह छोड़ें और धूप-चूल्हे से दूर रखें।
Does rooftop solar make sense for a home?
For many homes with a sunny, shade-free roof and steady daytime use, yes. With net metering, extra power you export offsets what you import. Government schemes may subsidise rooftop systems — check the current scheme and your supplier's net-metering rules before buying.
हिंदी धूप वाली छत और दिन में खपत हो तो रूफ़टॉप सोलर फ़ायदेमंद है; नेट मीटरिंग और सरकारी सब्सिडी के नियम पहले देखें।
What is net metering?
With net metering, a bidirectional meter records power you import from the grid and power your solar panels export to it; you're billed for the difference. Rules, limits and settlement periods are set by each state's regulator.
हिंदी नेट मीटरिंग में मीटर ली गई और भेजी गई बिजली दोनों गिनता है; बिल अंतर का बनता है।
Do home inverters increase the electricity bill?
Yes, somewhat: charging the battery and the inverter's own losses use electricity, and an old battery wastes more. Maintain the battery, use an efficient inverter, and run only essential loads on it.
हिंदी हाँ, इनवर्टर की बैटरी चार्ज करने और उसके नुकसान में बिजली लगती है; बैटरी ठीक रखें।
Does light-coloured paint save on lighting?
Yes. Light walls and ceilings reflect much more light back into the room, so you need fewer lumens for the same brightness. Dark walls absorb light and can make a room need noticeably more lighting.
हिंदी हाँ, हल्के रंग की दीवारें रोशनी लौटाती हैं, इसलिए कम लाइट में काम चलता है।
Are timers and sensors worth it?
For lights that are often left on — outdoor lights, staircases, corridors, parking — yes. Photocells, timers and motion sensors make sure they run only when needed.
हिंदी बाहर, सीढ़ी, कॉरिडोर जैसी जगहों पर टाइमर, फ़ोटोसेल और मोशन सेंसर बिजली बचाते हैं।
What is a time-of-day (ToD) tariff?
Under a ToD tariff, electricity costs more at peak hours and less off-peak. Where your supplier uses it — often with smart meters — running washing machines, pumps and geysers outside peak hours lowers the bill.
हिंदी ToD टैरिफ़ में पीक घंटों में बिजली महंगी और बाकी समय सस्ती; भारी उपकरण ऑफ़-पीक में चलाएँ।
How much does an iron add to my bill?
Not much if used sensibly: about a quarter to half a unit for half an hour of ironing. Iron clothes in one batch rather than heating the iron several times a day.
हिंदी आधे घंटे की प्रेस में लगभग 0.25–0.5 यूनिट; एक बार में सारे कपड़े प्रेस करें।
Is it cheaper to leave lights on than to switch them on and off?
No. Switching uses no meaningful extra energy, and LEDs aren't harmed by frequent switching. Turn lights off whenever you leave a room.
हिंदी नहीं, लाइट बंद-चालू करने में अतिरिक्त बिजली नहीं लगती; कमरे से निकलते समय बंद करें।
How do I estimate my home's total monthly units?
List each appliance's wattage and daily hours, multiply them, add up the daily watt-hours, divide by 1,000 and multiply by 30. The bill calculator on this page does it for you.
हिंदी हर उपकरण के वाट × रोज़ के घंटे जोड़ें, 1000 से भाग दें और 30 से गुणा करें — इस पेज का बिल कैलकुलेटर यह करता है।
Does an old fridge or AC cost more to run?
Usually yes — older models are less efficient, and worn seals, dirty coils and low refrigerant make them work harder. If an old unit runs constantly, a modern star-rated model can pay back over a few years.
हिंदी पुराना फ्रिज या AC आम तौर पर ज़्यादा बिजली लेता है; नया स्टार-रेटेड मॉडल कुछ साल में पैसे वसूल कर सकता है।
General guidance — follow IS 732 and local rules, and use a licensed electrician.
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