Apparent and standby energy consumption in mauritian middle-income households

In this research, the electricity consumption of middle-income households was monitored using a net metering technique. A pilot group of six Mauritian households having floor area between 250 m² and 300 m² and yearly income between MUR 500,000 and MUR 1 million, was selected for the study. A database of apparent and leaking power consumption for these households was established. An analysis of the data revealed that the mean leaking power in the selected households was about 500 kWh/year. The energy use of each household was then quantified based on a Coefficient of Performance analysis. Finally, the residents of the six households were sensitized to use energy more efficiently. The effectiveness of the energy efficiency measures was subsequently quantified using a new set of Coefficients of Performance. The results showed that an average energy saving of 1.58 kWh per day was thus achieved. This energy reduction would result in a reduction of MUR 4187 in the yearly electricity bill of the average middle-income Mauritian household (USD 1 = approximately MUR 30.50 @ November 2013).