Characterizing domestic electricity consumption in the Indian urban household sector

•Primary data collected through the household survey in three climate zones of India.•Developed electricity consumption function for Indian urban household.•Key variables considered are: demographic, dwelling attributes, home appliances, climate condition.•Proposed measures to reduce high electricity consumption in existing homes. The aim of this work is to forecast electricity consumption for energy efficient management in the Indian urban household by evaluating current practices which are followed in a living place (residence/home). Conclusions and electricity consumption forecasting are derived from the data obtained through a questionnaire survey conducted in three different climate zones of India. Utilizing micro level primary data obtained through the household survey, authors have analysed the variation in the electricity consumption and the factors such as demographic and dwelling attributes which cause such variations. Ownership of major home appliances like air conditioner, refrigerator and electric water heaters (geyser) have seen a significant rise over the years in households. They are found to contribute high electricity consumption in Indian urban households. Price elasticity of electricity consumption is found as −0.72 (negative sign indicates that when the price of electricity increases, the consumption decreases). Electricity consumption in the Indian urban household is observed more responsive to ownership of air conditioner rather than demographic variables and other appliances. Considering predicted accountability of India for increased global emission due to air conditioning, ownership of air conditioners was investigated in depth, based on the data captured in the questionnaire survey. Factors considered were tonnage, energy star rating, usage duration, year of purchase, and numbers. It is observed that, electricity consumption in air conditioning could be reduced by 15% to 31%; if existing household air conditioners, older than 7 years were replaced by new energy efficient air conditioners, subject to all other parameters like tonnage and usage remain constant. The outcomes of this study can be utilized for swotting the electricity prices and policy making.