Electricity: New Habits to Reduce Consumption

In response to rising electricity tariffs, Mauritian households are adapting with intelligence and common sense. They are adopting simple yet effective practices to better manage their consumption, leading to a new dynamic of more responsible energy use.

Testimonials

Mario Hung, a resident of Port-Louis: "Solar Energy Lamps"
Since the 15% increase in electricity rates, what measures have you started implementing at home to reduce your consumption?
I've been taking measures for several years. For instance, in my home, whether in the bedrooms, living room, or other areas, I primarily use solar-powered lamps. Therefore, my reliance on electricity is already quite limited.

What energy-consuming devices have you limited?
Honestly, not much, as we already consume a small amount of electricity. It's just my wife and me at home. I mainly use the television, a fan when it’s hot, and a few household appliances. With winter, the use of the fan decreases.

How do you involve your family in daily energy savings?
I make a strong effort to raise awareness among those around me. I discuss the importance of saving energy with every visitor to my home. I also encourage the installation of solar panels and emphasize the need to use electricity carefully.

Do you think you will maintain these new habits in the long term?
Definitely. For me, it’s not just about the bill; it's also about responsibility. I research the topic extensively and constantly try to improve my habits to consume even less.

Padma Chedumbrum: "Avoid Repetitive Use of Appliances"
How has the 15% increase in electricity affected your monthly budget?
The increase has had a very concrete impact on our family budget. With my husband and our 18-year-old son, we have a normal consumption level for a household of three. This forces us to be more vigilant in managing our monthly expenses, sometimes at the expense of other daily needs.

What habits have you changed at home to consume less?
We’ve tried to adopt more responsible daily habits. For example, we pay more attention to turning off lights when they are not needed, unplugging certain devices, and generally limiting energy waste. We also prioritize using appliances at specific times, avoiding repetitive or unnecessary usage. These are small changes but require a certain level of discipline in daily life.

Have you considered reducing the use of certain devices? Which ones?
Honestly, it is quite difficult to actually reduce the use of essential devices. The appliances we use, like the refrigerator, washing machine, or everyday equipment, are necessary. We are careful with their use, but it's not really possible to reduce them without impacting our comfort or family organization.

Nosimohomed Muhammad Yaseen: "We Unplug Unused Devices"
Has the 15% increase in electricity rates changed how you manage consumption at home?
Yes, this increase has made us much more attentive to our daily consumption. We pay more attention to devices left on unnecessarily and try to adopt more economical habits to better manage our family budget.

Have you identified any high-consumption sources at home that you have reduced?
Yes, we have identified some devices that consumed a lot of energy, such as air conditioning, water heaters, and lights left on unnecessarily. We have reduced their use, prioritized LED bulbs, and we unplug certain devices when they are not in use.

What initiatives do you take to raise your family’s awareness of more responsible energy use?
We try to raise awareness among the whole family through simple daily actions: turning off lights when leaving a room, limiting excessive air conditioning use, using appliances more thoughtfully, and explaining to children the importance of saving energy for the environment and the family budget.

Do you think these new habits will become permanent?
Yes, I believe these new habits should become permanent. Beyond the tariff increase, it helps not only reduce expenses but also contributes to more responsible and environmentally friendly consumption.

Tejasprakashsingh Gungah: "I Use LED Bulbs"
Are you attentive to your electricity consumption daily?
Yes, I pay particular attention to it, especially since the recent rise in rates of about 15%, which has a direct impact on household budgets. This increase has pushed me to adopt a more responsible and thoughtful approach to my daily energy consumption.

What simple actions do you take to save energy?
I try to adopt simple yet effective practices. For example, I systematically turn off lights when I leave a room and maximize natural light during the day. I also use LED bulbs, which consume less and last longer. I pay attention to appliance use, such as only running the washing machine when it is full and limiting air conditioning use by maintaining a reasonable temperature.

Do you sometimes leave devices on standby or plugged in unnecessarily?
Despite my efforts, this sometimes happens, often out of habit or forgetfulness. Some devices remain on standby or plugged in without real necessity. This shows that there is still room for improvement, even when one is already aware of the issues. Being mindful of these small details can significantly reduce overall consumption.

Do you think young people are sufficiently aware of this issue?
I believe that young people are increasingly aware of energy and environmental issues, particularly due to education and awareness campaigns. However, there is still work to be done to transform this awareness into concrete and sustainable actions in daily life. Encouraging these good habits from a young age is essential.

Kamesh Ramah Gopaul: "I Limit Air Conditioning Use"
Are you attentive to your electricity consumption daily?
Since my childhood, I have been educated, both in school and at home, about the importance of preserving energy, particularly electricity. This education has profoundly influenced my habits, making responsible consumption management a natural approach. Even though I still live with my parents, I am fully aware of the financial impact that excessive electricity consumption can represent, reinforcing my commitment to adopt responsible behaviors daily.

What simple actions do you take to save energy?
Due to my studies in architecture, my electricity consumption is inherently high. The intensive use of specialized modeling, computer-aided design, and rendering software requires my laptop to remain plugged in for long periods, often throughout the day and night. This technical requirement is a difficult constraint to avoid. Nevertheless, I strive to compensate for this consumption by adopting simple and effective gestures, such as systematically turning off lights when leaving a room and carefully managing appliance use. I also prioritize natural ventilation and limit air conditioning use to periods of extreme heat.

Do you sometimes leave devices on standby or plugged in unnecessarily?
Some practices still need improvement. Despite a genuine desire to reduce my consumption, the demands of my academic career influence my habits. My laptop and its peripherals often remain plugged in continuously to avoid interruptions during demanding work, limiting my ability to fully optimize my energy consumption. Additionally, after long work sessions, fatigue can lead to lapses in vigilance, resulting in devices left on standby or chargers plugged in unnecessarily. Though occasional, these behaviors contribute to avoidable consumption. Aware of these issues, I am gradually adopting a more rigorous approach by incorporating simple gestures like systematically turning off equipment at the end of the day or using power strips with switches. During less active periods, especially weekends, I make an effort to reduce my use of electronic equipment to limit my energy footprint.

Do you think young people are sufficiently aware of this issue?
In a context where electricity is an essential need — not only for comfort but also for studies, work, and communication — it is imperative to develop responsible consumption habits from a young age. This is especially crucial in fields like architecture, where the use of digital tools is unavoidable.

Isabelle Genave: "We Are Going to Install Solar Panels"
Has the 15% increase prompted you to change some energy habits at home?
Definitely. Even before the 15% increase was official, my husband and I noticed a significant change in our bill, which rose from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,600 without adding any other energy-consuming devices. We have taken some measures to help reduce the bill.

The air conditioner, although it is a DC inverter that generally does not consume much energy. The iron and kettle, as these two devices consume a lot of energy.

And we have developed a new habit: when we leave a room, we turn off the light.

How do you raise awareness among your circle regarding energy savings?
We plan to install solar panels.

Do you intend to maintain these efforts over time?
Yes. Because they help reduce the electricity bill.

Sarvesh Dosooye: "Let’s Think About Our Planet"
With the 15% increase in electricity prices, have you modified your habits at home?
Not really, because we have not encouraged waste since before. I had already installed photovoltaic panels at my home before the price increase. I try to adapt my habits thinking about future consequences. Conservation applies not only to electricity but also to water and other resources. I also try to collect rainwater for various uses.

What devices or habits consuming energy do you limit?
Mainly, I would say the TV. Sometimes we left it on while doing something else, but that’s not too frequent. Not leaving household appliances or lights on unnecessarily isn’t too difficult since there are three of us at home.

How do you encourage those around you to adopt simple actions to save electricity?
Being mostly indoors, sometimes we don’t realize our habits. Awareness can only work for people who are receptive, and in those cases, a verbal reminder works. Otherwise, it’s not just about saying what to do, but also showing how to do it. We need to “walk the talk.” I try to set an example through my thoughts and actions and motivate others to do the same.

Do you think you will continue these efforts in the long term, even if prices stabilize?
Definitely, because an energy crisis remains and continues to worsen as long as people’s habits do not change. If we want change, it is imperative that we change, as it is us who will bring this change through our actions. Let’s think about our planet and improve ourselves.

Good Practices to Reduce Your Electricity Bill at Home

Adopting good habits daily allows for better control over electricity consumption while maintaining comfort. The simplest gestures are often the most effective: turning off lights when leaving a room, prioritizing natural light during the day, and unplugging unused devices.

Using LED bulbs, known for their low consumption and long lifespan, is widely recommended today. Similarly, optimizing the use of appliances — such as running the washing machine at full capacity or limiting excessive air conditioning use — contributes to better energy management.
Over the long term, some households opt for sustainable solutions such as solar panels or solar water heaters, thereby reducing their dependence on traditional electricity. These initiatives, combined with daily discipline, can lead to significant savings.

Towards More Responsible and Sustainable Consumption

Beyond mere cost management, a genuine awareness is developing within households. Energy is now perceived as a precious resource that should be used thoughtfully. This shift in mindset translates into a desire to consume differently, favoring more sustainable practices.

Awareness plays a key role in this change. Parents, children, and close relatives are increasingly involved in this collective effort. By setting an example and adopting responsible actions, everyone contributes to establishing a more conscious energy culture.

This positive, forward-looking approach shows that it is possible to balance comfort, savings, and environmental respect while building beneficial habits for future generations.