The Hindu : Easy ways to save gas and fuel

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Easy ways to save gas and fuel

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JAN. 17. Simple changes to the way you cook or use your car can help you bring down gas and oil consumption and reduce your energy bills.

As part of the Karnataka Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight (January 15-31), organised by the Oil Industry-Karnataka, a series of manuals containing practical fuel conservation ideas for the household and vehicle users have been released by the Petroleum Conservation and Research Association.

Up to 30 per cent of cooking gas or kerosene can be saved in the kitchen by following a few simple, fuel saving tips. Weighing and preparing ingredients, including soaking dry ingredients beforehand, reduces cooking time and prevents energy wastage caused by an idle flame.

During cooking, reduce the flame once boiling starts, keep lids on pans to prevent heat loss, and use shallow and wide cooking vessels that hide the flame completely. Where possible, use pressure-cooking, which is one of the fastest and most economical ways of cooking and saves 20 per cent of fuel consumption on rice alone compared to ordinary methods.

In addition, keep burners and vessels clean as coatings of undissolved salt and soot use up more fuel.

To conserve fuel consumption in your car, avoid fast driving. Tests on Indian cars show that you can get up to 40 per cent extra mileage at 45-55 kilometres per hour (kmph) as against 80 kmph. Speedy acceleration and harsh braking use large amounts of fuel. Always increase your speed gradually and anticipate braking by taking your foot off the accelerator and braking gently, well in advance.

Poorly maintained vehicles can consume up to 15 per cent more fuel.

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