Electricity bills are rising sharply across Indian cities. But 30–40% of your cooling costs are entirely preventable.
By now, most of us have just accepted it. Every summer, the bill goes up. You shrug, you pay, and you tell yourself it's the heat. Maybe it's the extra hour you left the AC on. Maybe it's just how things are now. Summers are hotter, bills are higher. That's the deal.
Except it doesn't have to be.
Indian summers are longer and hotter than a decade ago, and tariffs have risen 10–15% in most states over two years. But here is what most people miss: a significant portion of that bill, 30–40% of it, is not the weather's fault. It is preventable.
Here is where to start.
1. Set your thermostat to 24°C and switch on the ceiling fan
This single habit can make an immediate difference. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency recommends 24°C as the optimal balance between comfort and efficiency. A ceiling fan circulates air and creates a wind-chill effect, making 24°C feel as cool as 20°C without the energy cost. Running your AC at 18°C with no fan is not comfortable. It is a waste.
2. Block the sun before it enters the room
Your AC should be cooling air, not fighting direct sunlight. South- and west-facing rooms with large windows absorb significantly more heat. Heavy curtains or reflective window film, closed before the sun hits the glass, reduce the cooling load before your unit even switches on.
3. Seal gaps and keep doors closed
Warm air entering through gaps under doors and around windows forces your AC to run longer to compensate. Sealing these gaps can reduce your cooling load by 10–15%. Closing doors to uncooled rooms while the AC is running is equally effective and costs nothing.
4. Clean your filters regularly
A quick filter clean once a month takes five minutes and makes an immediate difference. If you are running the AC all day through peak summer, do it fortnightly. Once a season, schedule a professional coil cleaning for the indoor and outdoor units. The difference in performance is noticeable.
5. Insist on proper servicing, especially before a gas recharge
Low refrigerant forces the compressor to work harder for less output. The bigger issue is what happens during a recharge: most technicians skip the vacuuming step, which removes air and moisture from the piping. Skipping it degrades performance and shortens compressor life. Ask specifically for this step and confirm it is done.
Buying or replacing an AC? The choice compounds over years
A 5-star inverter model uses 30–40% less power than a 3-star fixed-speed unit. The price premium typically pays back within two to three years. Choosing the wrong size matters equally: an undersized AC running flat out through peak afternoon heat can increase bills by 15–20% compared to a correctly sized unit. Check the peak cooling capacity, not just the star rating.
The bottom line
Bills are rising for structural reasons no household can reverse. But the habits and choices above can realistically reduce a summer electricity bill by ₹800–1,500 per month, without a single degree of discomfort.
The best time to act was before summer started. The next best time is today.
Ashish Goel, CEO and Co-Founder of Optimist.
About the Author
The TOI Lifestyle Desk is a dynamic team of dedicated journalists who, with unwavering passion and commitment, sift through the pulse of the nation to curate a vibrant tapestry of lifestyle news for The Times of India readers. At the TOI Lifestyle Desk, we go beyond the obvious, delving into the extraordinary. Consider us your lifestyle companion, providing a daily dose of inspiration and information. Whether you're seeking the latest fashion trends, travel escapades, culinary delights, or wellness tips, the TOI Lifestyle Desk is your one-stop destination for an enriching lifestyle experience.
