CHENNAI: Now cut down on your electricity bills by choosing LED bulbs and tubelights and 5-star rated energy efficient fans.
The Union government’s scheme Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All (UJALA), which had a soft launch in Chennai on March 23 will cut down your power bills, said Raj Kumar Rakhra, national project manager of UJALA which is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of public sector units under Union Power Ministry.
He said the 9-watt LED bulbs offered at a cheaper rate than the market will cut down 80% of power consumption when compared with 40 watt incandescent bulb. Similarly, the LED tubelight offered by EESL will help save 50% of power while the fan will cut down the power consumption by 33%.
EESL is planning a state-wide launch of the scheme next month and the aim is to target 1.10 crore consumers in Tamil Nadu. “We have sought a date for official launch,” said T Ramesh, EESL deputy general manager.
“The scheme will be implemented in phases in the state wherein about 3 crore LED bulbs, 35 lakh LED tubelights ad 10 lakh fans will be distributed to consumers, " he said. Talking about Chennai, Ramesh said that till now EESL has sold 1.30 lakh bulbs, 30,000 LED tubelights and 8,000 fans.
“The LED bulbs are sold at Rs 65 per piece, while an energy-efficient fan is sold at Rs 1,150 and a LED tubelight is sold at Rs 230. The rates are nearly 50% lower than the market price,” said Rakhra.
To get the bulbs, tube-lights and fan, a consumer has to provide his identity card. The bulbs have a three-year replacement warranty.