1. Read the manufacturer’s instructions booklet and obey the recommended practices for operating and maintaining the appliance.

3. Regularly check your appliances for broken parts and/or damaged cords. Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances first before inspecting them.

4. To avoid overloading a circuit, limit the number of appliances plugged into one outlet.

5. Keep your appliances away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. These can cause corrosion, warping, or fading of your appliances.

6. Turn off your appliances when not in use. This will prevent over heating.

7. For appliances that have moving parts, such as fans, blenders, or mixers, lubricate them occasionally with oil or grease to prevent wear and tear.

8. For appliances that have batteries, do not mix old and new batteries or different types of batteries in the same appliance.

9. For appliances that need professional servicing, such as ovens, microwaves, or washing machines, schedule an appointment with a qualified technician at least once a year or when you notice any signs of malfunction.

10. Keep life expectancy of an appliance in mind. Avg lifespan of a LED TV is 8-10 years, while that of a refrigerator and AC can be 10 to 15 years - depending on usage too. Update to newer, advanced, affordable and greener appliances.

You may have seen star ratings on your electrical appliance - what are they about? Star ratings on consumer electronics are a way of indicating the energy efficiency of the products. The higher the number of stars, the more energy efficient the product is.

Star ratings are usually provided by government agencies or independent organisations that test and certify the products based on certain standards and criteria. Star ratings can help consumers compare different products and choose the ones that save more energy and cost in the long run.

Star ratings can also encourage manufacturers to improve their products and adopt more advanced technologies. Remember to always check star ratings on your product before buying.

Example - A 5-star refrigerator is more expensive than a 4-star refrigerator or 3 star refrigerator. A 4-star refrigerator consumes about 100-150 units of energy more than a 5-star refrigerator.

Buying a device with higher rating can help you save money on your electricity bill in the long run and will be a good investment for your household.

The consumer durable service sector in India is a large and growing market that attracts both domestic and foreign players. The sector includes a wide range of products such as appliances, electronics, and white goods.

According to IBEF, the Indian appliances and consumer electronics industry stood at US$ 9.84 billion in 2021, and is expected to more than double to reach Rs. 1.48 lakh crore (US$ 21.18 billion) by 2025.

The growth of the sector is driven by factors such as rising disposable income, technological innovation, urbanisation, and increasing consumer awareness. The sector is also witnessing a shift from unorganised to organised players, as well as increasing adoption of artificial intelligence and automation in manufacturing processes.

As the number of consumers increases, the need for services related to goods will also rise as a result. This ensures that the service sector will grow steadily over the next 5 to 10 years.