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Be it summer or winter, rising electricity bills spoil the budget of every common family. Often people think that due to running of AC, TV, geyser or fan throughout the day, the electricity bill becomes high. But according to energy experts and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), small neglect and carelessness at night makes your electricity meter rotate faster. Even at night when the whole house is sleeping, many appliances are consuming electricity unnecessarily (Standby Power Drain). If you include some simple habits in your daily routine just before sleeping at night, you can make a huge reduction of 20 to 30 percent in your electricity bill every month. 1. Switch off the TV, set-top box and appliances from the main switch. Often, before sleeping at night, people switch off the TV or AC only from the remote (Standby Mode) and forget to switch off the power from the switch board. Phantom Load: Set-top boxes, smart TVs, home theaters, microwaves and Wi-Fi routers continue to draw power even after turning them off remotely. This is called 'phantom load' or 'standby power'. Saving method: Switch off the main plug/switch board of all these appliances before sleeping. With just this one habit, you can save electricity worth thousands of rupees annually. 2. Run the AC at 24°C and set a timer. Running the AC continuously at 18 or 20°C throughout the night is the biggest reason for huge electricity bills. 24 degree rule: According to BEE, the most efficient temperature of AC is 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. For every 1 degree increase in AC temperature, approximately 6% electricity is saved. Use of timer and sleep mode: Set 'Sleep Mode' or 'Timer' of 3 to 4 hours in the AC. When the room gets cold at night, the AC will automatically switch off and you can have a comfortable sleep by just running the fan for the rest of the night. 3. Do not overcharge the phone and laptop overnight. Most people have a habit of keeping their mobile or laptop on the charger at night and sleeping. Disadvantages of overcharging: By keeping it plugged in overnight, the charger keeps drawing small amounts of power, which not only wastes power but also reduces the battery life of the phone rapidly. Solution: Charge the phone or switch off the plug before sleeping. 4. Do not forget to switch off the geyser (water heater). The use of water heater or geyser increases significantly during winters. Thermostat Drain: Many people sleep leaving the geyser on. The automatic cut-off thermostat keeps switching on and off repeatedly when the geyser water cools down, causing huge electricity consumption throughout the night. SAFETY & SAVING: Make sure to switch off the main switch of the geyser before sleeping. Along with saving electricity, it also provides protection from accidents. 5. Adjust the temperature of the refrigerator and close the door properly. The refrigerator is not used frequently at night, so it is important to have the correct temperature set. Night Mode/Medium Setting: There is no need to reduce the temperature of the refrigerator very cold at night. Keep it on medium or eco-mode. Check Door Seal (Gasket): Before sleeping, make sure that the refrigerator door is closed properly and its rubber (gasket) is not loose, so that the cooling inside does not come out and there is not too much pressure on the compressor. 6. Switch off non-essential lights and decorative lamps. Extra lights burning in the balcony, porch, hall or kitchen of the house remain burning throughout the night. LED Lights: Use only 5-star rated LED bulbs or night lamps instead of ordinary bulbs. Smart Plug/Sensor: If you forget to switch off the lights at night, you can use a smart plug with an automatic timer or motion sensor.