CONSUMPTION AND EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF ENERGY AND WATER AMONG URBAN CONSUMERS

Abstract

Electricity and water is a basic need which is important in our life. The importance of electrical energy and water from the aspect of its usefulness is too many to be stated. For electrical energy, the consumption of electrical appliances improves the standard of living, besides increasing the well-being and quality of life. In this modern world, the consumption level of electrical appliances is increasing in which consumers are increasingly reliant on energy resources for carrying out daily activities. Air conditioners are found to be consuming 45 percent of the total annual electrical power consumption, followed by refrigerators (11%). Fans and water heaters respectively consume 10 percent and 9 percent of the total annual energy consumption. Appliances like television, rice cooker, and iron consume the least electricity. In the meantime, the total number of households which uses air conditioners in Malaysia has increased dramatically due to the increase in households income (Mahlia et al., 2004).