TNEB Tariff for Domestic Consumers and Tips to Save Energy and Reduce EB Bills

For usage upto 100 units:

From 1 unit  To 100 units- Re 1/- per unit (Minimum Charges Rs 20/-)

For usage above 100 units and upto 200 units:

From 1 unit To 200 units- Rs 1.5 per unit

For usage above 200 units and upto 500 units:

From 1 unit To 200 units –Rs 2/- per unit
From 201 units To 500- Rs 3/- per unit

For usage above 500 units:

From 1 unit To 200 units- Rs 3/- per unit
From 201 units To 500 units- Rs 4/- per unit
From 501 units And Above- Rs 5.75 per unit

As and if the usage increases the rate of elecricity/unit charges will increase, right from 1 unit in an escalating manner.

The Domestic Consumer of Electricity in Tamilnadu cannot monitor the EB Meter readings like watching
taxi-meter reading. To reduce the EB Bill, the usage must be reduced/controlled. The TNEB has given tips to decrease consumption of electricity and the following are some of the tips given by the TNEB.

Tips To Reduce Usage and EB Bills- Suggested by TNEB:

Lights:

• SWITCH OFF lights when not required.
• Use Compact Fluorescent Lamps (Power Savers) instead of incandescent lamps/Tube Lights.
• Use electronic ballasts / electronic choke instead of electromagnetic chokes.
• Use Power Saver/ Compact Fluorescent Lamps of 5, 7,9 & 11 watts instead of   the so called “zero watt bulbs”,  which  consume 12 to 15 Watts / hour.
• Clean bulbs and tube-lights periodically to avoid reduction in illumination.

• Fans:

• SWITCH OFF Fans when not required
• Use light weight / energy efficient fans.
• Use electronic regulators for fans for they consume less power and provide fine control.
• Avoid rewinding of motors in fans.
• Clean fan blades periodically.
• Lubricate bearing of motors of fans periodically.

• Use Grinders with energy efficient motors.
• Use grinders to their full capacity.
• Clean and lubricate grinder parts periodically.

Washing Machines:

• Use washing machines to their full capacity.
• Avoid using dryer in washing machines whenever possible.

• Use correct capacity air-conditioner to suit the requirement.
• Avoid frequent opening and closing of air-conditioned room.
•  Clean the AC filters periodically.
• Air-conditioned room must be leak proof.
• Set the room air conditioner between 24 to 26 degrees C.
• Use energy efficient star labeled new air conditioners instead of old ones which need repairs.

• Avoid ironing one or two clothes daily and adopt large scale ironing.

• Keep refrigerator away from the wall to allow air to circulate around the refrigerator.
• Avoid frequent closing and opening of refrigerator door.
•  Allow heated food stuff to cool down to normal temperature before refrigerating.
• Make sure foods are covered before they are kept in the refrigerator.
• Defrost regularly to keep freezers working their best.
• Thermostat control in refrigerators should be adjusted to optimum level depending upon climatic condition.
• Use energy efficient star labeled refrigerators, instead of old ones which need repairs.

• Use energy efficient water pumps.
• Use correct size PVC piping system in water lines.
• Arrest leakage of water in taps / joints.
• Use capacitors for water pumps to improve power factor.
•  Use level controllers for tripping of water pumps while pumping of water to overhead tanks etc.,
• Avoid water leakage in taps / joints.
• Insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.

• Turn off your Computers at home, when not in use.
• If your computers at home must be left on, turn off the monitor which uses more than 50% of electricity needed for using computers.; this
• Keep Computers, monitors, and copiers   in ‘Sleep Mode’  to cut electricity consumption by about 40 %.
• Instead of  using Screen savers  which will save only computer screens, not energy, computers may be shut down and start-up, which do not require extra energy.

The consumers of TNEB affected by, the hike  in EB Tariff ( whose EB Bills are almost doubled) and Power-Cuts (both scheduled and un-schudeled) along with “Low -Voltage”/ Voltage Fluctuations Problems,are eagerly awaiting  TNEB:

• To take steps to receive complaints of “Low Voltage” and 
• To attend to the complaints promptly and
• To  rectify the ‘low voltage’  problems with a ‘time-frame’ and 
• To ensure “upto the mark supply” of  electricity in the State of Tamilnadu, especially in Chennai.

It is notable that the High Court of Madras has recently advised TNEB to do as above.