India’s demand for electrical appliances is increasing significantly year on year. According to Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the demand for refrigerators alone is expected to rise up to 90% in 2025 compared to 2019. As a result, it has been projected that the energy demand may be almost triple between 2018 and 2040. Considering this, the nation has been implementing several policy measures to promote energy efficiency and conservation both at the household level, commercial and industrial sectors through the Saubhagya scheme and Energy Efficiency Service Limited (EESL).
Energy conservation and management are important because increase in energy demand means increased generation. Coal fired thermal power plants continue to be the main source for electricity generation even today. This has a knock on effect on the environment and health in terms of pollution, contamination of surface water and soil, thus contributing to climate change.
As a responsible citizen, every individual should contribute in reducing their energy demand through conserving energy and efficient use of energy, especially electricity.
In this regard, energy auditing is seen as the first step in the process of assessing energy needs, usage and consumption before undertaking rectification through energy efficiency and conservation measures. In simple terms, it allows an individual or household to get the same level of comfort it derives from energy usage using economical measures.
In India, energy-intensive sectors like thermal power, aluminium, cement, fertilizer, iron and steel, pulp and paper, textiles and chlor-alkali adopt detailed energy audits owing to their legal obligation towards energy saving.
Although energy auditing has been widely adopted among commercial and industrial entities in India, energy auditing is still seen as a relatively new approach for Indian households. This is because household or domestic tariffs for energy is still low and there is no incentive for reducing electricity consumption.
However, this is bound to change in the coming years as domestic tariffs are bound to increase. This will necessitate the need for greater energy management at household level.
Considering this, Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) developed an excel based energy audit calculator for domestic consumers which helps to do an energy audit of their own. The aim of the calculator is to demystify energy auditing in simple terms and educate domestic consumers on the same. This is an user friendly excel calculator that can be accessed by any consumer.
The tool also incorporates simple and cost free techniques that will enable the consumer to save energy and costs. For example a) placing the refrigerator at least 6 inches away from the wall will avoid increased compressor load and excess power consumption. b) switching off the TV, sound system and DVD player, when not in use; since it will consume some amount of power in standby mode
This calculator comprises of six tabs namely
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Introduction - explains the instructions for the user
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Basic Info - collects information about the consumer and their house premises,
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Input data - this is a list of household appliances The consumer needs to input the number of appliances, and its usage during their peak and off-peak seasons. The approximate wattage of each appliance is also given and consumers can select it from the dropdown list.
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Questionnaire - it contains a set of questions which helps to educate consumers on energy conservation through best practices/behavioral changes.
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Energy audit report - based on the inputs from all the tabs, a customised report will be generated for the consumer. Image 1 represents one of the parts in the report.
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Summary - gives the overall electricity consumption of an appliance in a year based on the inputs.
Image 1 - Energy consumption pattern of a consumer
To know more about the calculator, click here and download the calculator.
CAG will seek to build on the calculator continuously to make it more consumer friendly. CAG welcomes your suggestion / feedback and if you have queries please write to us at ecc@cag.org.in or helpdesk@cag.org.in
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