You’ve read how environment-friendly living is wallet friendly too . But the upfront costs of a ‘green’ lifestyle can discourage you from adopting it. We works out the numbers that corroborate our claim: in the long run, you save a lot more than you spend on going green.
Grey to green
If you don’t have the funds to go green, here’s how you can use the existing resources efficiently:
Avoid
leaving televisions, microwaves and battery chargers on standby. Don’t open the refrigerator door frequently and for a long time
Inspect
refrigerator door seals and tap washers regularly and replace if needed
Ensure
proper sealing of airconditioned areas, switching off of lights, fans and taps
Switch to CFLs. They convert 25% of the electricity consumed into light as opposed to only 5% for incandescent bulbs. They also last 10 times longer
| Electricity consumed (Watts) | Cost (Rs) | One unit consumed (in hrs) | ||||
| Normal bulbs | CFLs | Savings(%) | Normal bulbs | CFLs | Normal bulbs | CFLs |
| 40 | 7 | 82.5 | 10 | 115 | 25 | 143 |
| 60 | 11 | 81.6 | 10 | 125 | 17 | 91 |
| 75 | 15 | 80 | 13 | 130 | 13 | 67 |
| 100 | 20 | 80 | 13 | 180 | 10 | 50 |
| 120 | 23 | 83 | 15 | 210 | 8 | 43 |
• Solar energy is the least polluting and cheapest form of energy available
• Upfront costs of installing solar panels is high. But the expenses are usually redeemed within 4-5 years of use
• Start with easy-to-install options like a solar outdoor light. Initial cost: Rs 19,000. Power is generated for 12 hours. Other devices are water heaters, lanterns etc
In a passageway, if you install a 40W tubelight with a movement sensor, it operates for only 3 hours. A normal tubelight will consume electricity for 12 hours. This reduces the total electricity consumption by 75%. Your monthly electricity bill reduces by 81%
For a tubelight of 40 watts and electricity cost at Rs 4 a unit:
| With sensor | Without sensor | |
| Total power used in a month (kw) | 3.6 | 14.4 |
| Monthly bill for one tubelight | 3.6 x 4 = Rs 14.4 | 14.4 x 4 = Rs 57.6 |
Monthly saving per tubelight: Rs 57.6 — Rs 14.4 = Rs 43.2
Monthly savings for three tubelights: Rs 43.2 x 3 = Rs 129.6
It doesn’t take much effort to conserve water, only a change in habits. Here is a list of changes in everyday activities that can significantly reduce the water consumption in your house.
| Activity | Methods of use | USE (in litres) | Alternative method | USE (in litres) | SAVING (in litres) |
| Brushing teeth | Running tap for 5 mins | 45 | Mugs Push taps Sensor-based taps | 1 0.6 0.4 | 44 44.4 44.6 |
| Washing hands | Running tap for 2 mins | 18 | Push taps Sensor taps | 0.6 0.4 | 17.4 17.6 |
| Shaving | Running tap for 2 mins | 18 | Shaving mug | 0.25 | 17.75 |
| Shower | Letting shower run while soaping | 90 | Wet down, tap off, soap up, rinse off | 20 | 70 |
| Flushing toilet | Old ceramic cisterns | 13.5 | Dual flush system | 6 | 7.5 |
| Washing car | Running hose for 10 mins | 240 | Buckets (2) | 18 | 222 |
| Washing clothes | Conventional | 100 | Washing machine (Automatic) | 40 | 60 |
| Total | 524.5 | 85.45 | 439.05 | ||
| Source: CII GBC | 84% saving in water use | ||||
...to a huge amount. Going green saves enough money in two decades for you to stay in a 7-star hotel or go cruising on a yacht
| CATEGORY | NET PRESENT VALUE OF 20-YEAR SAVINGS (Rs / sq ft) |
| Energy savings | 90 |
| Emissions savings | 6 |
| Water savings | 48 |
| Operations and maintenance savings | 48 |
| Productivity and health benefits | 24 |
| Total | 216 |
| Average extra cost of building green | -80 |
| Total 20-year net benefit | 136 |
According to CII-Godrej Green Business Centre and TERI, which promotes green buildings in India, the incremental costs of a green building can be easily recovered in 3-4 years. After you recover the costs, it translates into savings. A green house of 850 square feet area cuts maintenance costs by nearly Rs 1.15 lakh in 20 years
To get a green rating for your house, visit www.teriin.org or www.greenbusinesscentre.com
