If your monthly electricity bill feels higher than expected, it’s not just your air conditioner or geyser to blame. In Indian households, energy usage is spread across dozens of appliances, some obvious, others quietly drawing power all day.
Electricity prices vary from ₹5 to ₹10 per unit depending on the state, but the real cost adds up when high-wattage devices run frequently or inefficiently. This list helps you identify the biggest power guzzlers in your home, and what you can do to cut that load significantly.
1. Air Conditioners
In peak summer, air conditioners are the single largest source of electricity consumption in many Indian homes, especially in the north and west. A standard 1.5-ton split AC can consume 1.5 to 2.2 kWh per hour depending on its energy rating and compressor type.
Typical Scenario: If you run an inverter AC for 8 hours daily in Delhi during May-June, your monthly consumption from this appliance alone can cross 130-160 units, costing ₹1,000-₹1,400.
What You Can Do:
- Switch to inverter models: They adapt compressor speed to room load, reducing energy use.
- Keep it at 25-26°C: Each degree lower adds ~6% more energy consumption.
- Close doors and windows tightly and avoid cooling unused rooms.
- Use ceiling fans in parallel to circulate air and reduce load on the compressor.
2. Refrigerators
Fridges operate 24/7. Even though their hourly wattage is modest (100W-300W), that continuous usage means 30 to 50 units per month depending on size, insulation quality, and age.
- Older fridges, especially non-inverter double doors or frost-free models, often consume 20-30% more power than new inverter models.
- Refrigerators placed in kitchen corners with no ventilation also run longer.
Solution:
- Buy a BEE 3- to 5-star rated inverter model, they consume ~30-40 units less per month.
- Keep the rear coils clean and leave a 2-inch gap behind for heat dissipation.
- Let hot food cool down before storing, and don’t overload shelves.
3. Water Heaters (Geysers)
In winter, especially in northern states, geysers become one of the top 3 energy drains. A 15L storage geyser may draw 2,000-3,000W for 20 minutes per use, translating to 60-90 units a month in regular use households.
Hidden Problem: People often leave the geyser on for long periods thinking it will save time later, but the thermostat keeps reheating water, wasting power.
Solution:
- Use plug-in timers to auto shut off after 20 minutes.
- Lower the thermostat setting to 50°C, it’s hot enough but uses 15-20% less energy.
- Install pipe insulation to prevent heat loss between tank and tap.
- Consider solar water heaters in homes with terrace access.
4. Washing Machines
While not used daily in all homes, a single cycle of a front-load machine can consume 1.0-1.5 kWh, especially if the wash uses hot water or includes spin drying.
- Families often run multiple half-loads due to daily laundry or mixing different types of clothes.
- Front-loads are efficient per kg of laundry but more energy-intensive than top-loads per cycle.
How to Save:
- Wait for a full load before washing.
- Avoid hot water unless needed for hygiene (e.g., baby clothes or bedsheets).
- Use eco or quick wash modes.
- Dry clothes on a line instead of using the spin dryer, especially in summer.
5. Induction Cooktops & Electric Hobs
Electric cooking devices are gaining popularity in metros like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, especially where piped gas is not available.
What’s Consumed: An induction cooktop pulls 1,800W on average. One hour of cooking daily equals 50-60 units monthly, ₹400-₹500 in many cities.
Smart Usage:
- Always use flat-bottomed induction-compatible utensils for optimal heating.
- Boil in bulk, make tea or heat water once, store in thermos.
- Don’t preheat unnecessarily. Induction heats instantly, unlike LPG stoves.
6. Microwave Ovens & OTGs
While they’re not used continuously, both microwave ovens and OTGs have high peak wattage, up to 2,000W for convection modes.
Hidden Inefficiencies:
- Many people use OTGs for baking, which runs for 30-60 minutes per session.
- Reheating small meals multiple times per day can be expensive.
What Helps:
- Batch-cook meals and reheat only what’s needed.
- Use glass or ceramic containers, they heat food faster.
- Don’t block air vents, poor airflow leads to overheating and inefficiency.
7. Water Purifiers (UV + RO)
Modern RO purifiers have built-in pumps and UV filters, drawing 25-35W during operation. If used for 1-2 hours daily, they consume 20-30 units/month.
Energy-Saving Tips:
- Turn off the power supply when the storage tank is full.
- In low TDS regions (like Kolkata or Bengaluru), UV-only systems are sufficient.
- Don’t let water keep flowing unnecessarily, it wastes water and power.
8. Televisions
LED TVs in Indian homes range from 32 to 65 inches, using between 60W and 250W depending on size and display type.
Monthly Use Example: A 43-inch LED TV used for 4 hours/day can cost ₹120-₹180/month.
Power-Saving Tactics:
- Reduce brightness and disable motion smoothing.
- Turn off background video loops (like YouTube autoplay).
- Always shut down from the wall socket, not just the remote.
9. TV Set-Top Boxes & Wi-Fi Routers
Always-on devices like STBs, routers, and smart speakers quietly consume 5-15W each. Over 24 hours x 30 days, that’s 3-6 units per device, ₹20-₹50/month per unit.
What Helps:
- Plug into a single master switch and turn them off at night.
- Avoid LED TVs on auto-standby, which remain in sleep mode.
10. Ceiling Fans
A typical fan draws 75-90W. In a home with 5 fans used 8-10 hours/day, that equals 70-90 units/month or ₹600-₹800.
Your Best Move:
- Switch to BLDC fans like Atomberg, Orient i-Series, or Superfan.
- These consume just 28-35W at full speed and last longer.
- Clean blades regularly to improve airflow and reduce strain on the motor.
11. Mixers, Grinders & Food Processors
These are high-speed motors (500-1,000W), often run in short bursts, like making chutneys, grinding batter, or kneading dough.
Practical Advice:
- Use pulse mode for better control and lower energy draw.
- Don’t run for more than 1-2 minutes continuously, motors heat up and become inefficient.
- Check if blades need sharpening, blunt blades = longer runtime.
12. Irons
A dry or steam iron may draw 1,000-1,500W. If you iron school uniforms or work clothes daily, expect a power bill impact of ₹250-₹400/month.
Simple Fixes:
- Use dry irons, they draw less power than steam ones.
- Iron in bulk, residual heat from one cloth helps smoothen the next.
- Don’t iron unnecessarily, jeans, shorts, and home clothes don’t need it.
13. Electric Kettles, Toasters, Coffee Makers
Though used briefly, they pack a punch. Boiling 1L of water can draw 2,000W for 3-5 minutes.
Tips That Work:
- Boil only what you need, don’t fill to the top.
- Use insulated flasks to avoid reheating again and again.
- Descale monthly to ensure fast and even heating.
Want to Cut Your Bill by ₹1,000/month?
Here’s where to start:
- Upgrade 2-3 old fans to BLDC models
- Replace non-inverter fridge or AC with energy-efficient models
- Use timers for geysers
- Shut off all standby devices every night
- Track usage via smart meter apps (Tata Power, UPPCL, BESCOM)
Monthly Home Energy Drain Example
| Appliance | Approx. Monthly Units | Cost Range (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| AC (1.5 ton, inverter) | 140-160 kWh | ₹1,200-₹1,400 |
| Refrigerator (inverter) | 35-50 kWh | ₹280-₹400 |
| Geyser (winter only) | 60-90 kWh | ₹500-₹700 |
| Fans (5 units) | 70-90 kWh | ₹600-₹800 |
| TV + STB + Router | 25-30 kWh | ₹180-₹250 |
Summary – The Electricity Cost of Comfort
Electricity usage in Indian homes isn’t just about the big appliances, it’s about how consistently they’re used, how efficiently they run, and whether they stay on longer than needed. As this guide shows, even seemingly small devices like routers, irons, and mixers quietly add to your power bill when used daily without care.
The most effective way to cut electricity costs isn’t to stop using these appliances, but to upgrade the inefficient ones, change a few habits, and be aware of what runs and when. With tools like smart meters, inverter-based machines, and energy-saving modes now widely available in India, you can reduce your power bill by ₹1,000 or more every month, without giving up comfort or convenience.
