Calculate your monthly electricity bill by appliance — find where you're spending most
One unit of electricity = 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh). This means running a 1000W appliance for 1 hour consumes 1 unit. A 100W bulb running for 10 hours also consumes 1 unit. Formula:
Air Conditioner (1.5 ton): ~1500W — biggest consumer. Running 8 hours/day costs ~₹2,340/month at ₹6.50/unit. Water Heater (Geyser): ~2000W but used briefly. Refrigerator: ~150W, but runs 24/7. Washing Machine: ~500W, 1 hour/day. LED TV: ~100W. Replacing old appliances with BEE 5-star rated ones can reduce consumption by 30–50%.
Set AC to 24°C instead of 18°C (saves ~6% per degree). Use LED bulbs instead of CFL/incandescent. Unplug chargers and electronics when not in use (phantom load). Use washing machine in full load only. Install solar panels for long-term savings. Use timer switches for geysers — 20 minutes is usually enough.
| State | Average Tariff (₹/kWh) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | ₹4.50 – ₹7.00 | Slab-based tariff |
| Maharashtra | ₹5.00 – ₹9.00 | Higher in Mumbai |
| Karnataka | ₹4.90 – ₹8.00 | BESCOM rates |
| Delhi | ₹3.00 – ₹8.00 | Subsidy for low usage |
| Gujarat | ₹4.00 – ₹7.50 | DGVCL / PGVCL |
| Rajasthan | ₹5.75 – ₹8.50 | JDVVNL rates |
Tariffs vary by consumption slab, consumer category, and local DISCOMs. Check your electricity board website for exact current rates.