Energy SAVERS!!!

I am Switching Off! Are you?? A Pensive Abhishek Bachchan says looking intensely into the camera… But the Question is, is it ENOUGH?? A Small Step of course, but it should definitely gradually turn into something much bigger and more definite.

The Earth Hour, as we all know, started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change.

A year later, Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Burj Dubai, The Burj Al Arab, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

But switching off the lights for 60 minutes in a year, is comparatively insignificant, if the inherent meaning of the EARTH HOUR is lost!! Below are a few things I think we all can adapt in our daily lives, both at work and at home so as to leave at least a little bit of natural resources, energy and a little bit of the World, for the coming generations!! (Adapted from Herosofuae.ae)

1. IT’S COOL TO BE A LITTLE WARMER!

Once you’ve adjusted your AC to the temperature you want, turn it back up just 2-3 degrees. You’ll hardly know the difference, but it will make a difference to your consumption. Also remember to turn it off when you leave your home. That 2 degree difference can save you around AED 245* a year!

2. DON’T STAND BY, SWITCH OFF AND UNPLUG!

If you leave your computer on standby overnight, it uses almost as much electricity as it does when it’s switched on. Remember to turn it off and unplug! You can also switch off the monitors, printers, fax machine or copiers during breaks or when you are leaving your desk.

3. BE BRIGHT! SAVE MONEY!

Energy saving light bulbs are much more efficient than the traditional version and last up to 10 times longer. Next time you need to replace a bulb, take the energy saving option. You can save a very worthwhile AED 806* by making this switch.

4. ESSENTIAL LIGHTING!

We have plenty of SUN here in the Middle East! Allow proper outdoor lighting to illuminate the space. Turn off non essential and decorative lighting especially in unoccupied areas. Use task lighting to directly illuminate work areas instead for brighter area lighting.

5. GET YOUR RATINGS RIGHT! LOOK FOR ENERGY STAR!

Most office appliances these days have an energy-efficiency rating. If you’re buying one, choose the one that’s the most energy efficient and ask the supplier if they have this information. When purchasing PCs, monitors, printers, fridges, washing machines, fax machines and copiers, consider ENERGY STAR models that “power down” after a period of inactivity. If appropriate, use laptop computers – they consume 90% less energy than desktop computers.

6. GOING OUT? TURN IT OFF!

Get into the simple habit of switching lights off whenever you leave a room.

7. DETECT THE MOTION!

Install motion detectors or dimmers to control lighting in frequently unoccupied areas, such as restrooms. Rewire restroom fans to operate with the lights.

8. AUTOMATE LIGHTING SIGNAGES

Install time clocks or photoelectric cells to control exterior lighting, advertising sign lighting and some interior lighting.

9. KEEP COOL AND INSTALL BLINDS/ CURTAINS!

It is not only enhance the design of your home/office but adding curtains, blinds, solar screens or shades to your office actually helps in cooling down the space.

10. SAY NO TO EXPENSIVE EXTENSIONS!

If you have an extension lead connected to a wall point and it’s switched on, you’re needlessly wasting power. Switch off and – better still – unplug it!

Having said all that about the Earth Hour, I have also to say that it has nevertheless done a lot to raise awareness of climate change issues. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It’s all about giving people a VOICE on the future of our planet and working together to create a sustainable low carbon future for our planet.