10 very useful tips to reduce your electricity bill this summer

1. Air conditioners, especially in the summer, are used quite regularly, but can suck a lot of electricity. The lower the temperature on the A/C, the higher your bill. So instead of shock frosting your home at 16 degrees, set your A/C to a comfy 24 degrees to save on power.

2. LED light bulbs use 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. Switch out the most widely used bulbs in your home. Then, replace the rest as they burn out. And also make sure to choose one large bulb over several small ones. 

3. Even though you have switched off the TV after watching your favourite program it's still sucking up electricity in the 'stand-by mode'. Devices on 'stand-by' make up for a whopping 5% of the total power consumption. Mobile phone chargers are particularly tricky items. Most people after charging their mobile phones leave the chargers plugged in with the swith on. So make sure to switch off these devices completely.

4. If you own an electric stove, turn it off several minutes before the specified cooking time and make use of the remaining heat. Before you start cooking any items you've kept in the fridge, let them sit for 10 minutes on the counter to adapt to room temperature.

5. Plant trees to shade your home, and your air conditioning won't have to work as hard. A unit operating in the shade needs up to 10 percent less electricity than one exposed to sun.

6. Who knew that the simple act of ironing can also make a huge difference on your energy-saving tactics? Make sure that you buy an iron that has an automatic temperature cut off. Another tip is to avoid wetting your clothes while you iron them. Don't iron clothes as soon as they are out of the wash, as they may be damp and consume more electricity.

7. A crowded fridge prevents air from circulating. With less air circulation, your fridge is working extra hard to keep cool. And the harder it works, the more electricity it is consuming. Conversely, the fuller your freezer, the more efficiently it works. Avoid putting any warm or hot foods into it straight away. Make sure that liquids are always covered and food is wrapped up, as they might get moist and cause the compressor to work extra hard.

8. If you live in a tropical monsoon climate, there might be no other option than using an electric dryer from time to time. Dryers consume a lot of electricity. If you absolutely have to use one, dry clothes in consecutive loads. You will save on initial energy consumption if the dryer is already warm. Avoid over-drying your clothes, which might cause them to shrink and will also use more energy.

9. When you fill your washing machine up to the brim with dirty clothes, and use only the amount of detergent that it has asked for, your washing machine works most efficiently. 90 percent of the energy consumed by your washing machine goes to heating water. Turn the dial to cold, and skip the bill.

10. A microwave oven consumes half as much energy as a regular electric stove. If you have to check on your food, don't do it too often. Every time you open the door of your microwave, the temperature drops by 25 degrees.