BANGALORE: Only when faced with huge electricity bills does one think of it: how to cut down power consumption.

Not an easy job since even the average urban household now has a TV, a DVD or CD player, a music system, a refrigerator and a washing machine. Both bathrooms may have geysers and many are going for a microwave oven for convenience. Add to that other kitchen gadgets.

Facing a shortfall of 300 MW or more for the city's power needs, BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company) is doing more than resort to periodic "load shedding" and unannounced power cuts. It has been actively promoting the use of CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) as a more energy-efficient alternative to ordinary bulbs or tubelights. The power utility says each CFL used can save the consumer at least Rs. 17 each month. Consumers can avail themselves of a discount for bulk purchase.

The energy savings through CFLs can reach 80 per cent in an average household, using say, 1.5 kva to 2 kva of power at a time. BESCOM has found that power consumption generally going up during summer, in the evenings (when TVs and music systems are on) and all through day when an important sporting event is on. Nothing much can be done to stop people entertaining themselves, but better home lighting can cut power consumption by half in an average household and correspondingly save on power bills.

The BESCOM Efficient Lighting Programme (BELP) has been sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under its energy conservation projects worldwide. From tens of thousands now, the eventual target is to reach 1.6 million domestic consumers in the Bangalore urban area.

City consumers are encouraged to fit CFLs in high usage areas such as corridors, kitchens and drawing rooms. BESCOM has an ongoing concessional tariff scheme for homes using solar water heaters. Consumers can opt for getting the CFLs through BESCOM on nine monthly instaments, payable through their power bills. Three manufacturers have been identified as authorised suppliers. Prices range from Rs. 125 to Rs. 165, and manufacturers guarantee that each lamp will last for two years or more.

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