The UAE is among the top nations in per capita waste generation in the world.
Published: Wed 19 Apr 2017, 1:29 PM
Last updated: Thu 20 Apr 2017, 11:32 AM
April 22 is Earth Day. And the UAE residents need to rethink about their energy consumption patterns, and carbon footprint which can be considerably reduced by adhering to the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This also means economic sense and can entail huge savings.
The UAE is among the top nations in per capita waste generation in the world, and reportedly has some of the highest electricity and water consumption rates globally. What's more, resource efficiency is now high on the UAE government agenda and the UAE Vision 2021. Residents, therefore, need to think more seriously about their everyday impact on the environment.
Commenting on energy saving in the UAE, Levent Taskin, Danfoss President of the Turkey, Middle East and Africa, said: "The remarkable results achieved during Earth Hour last month, where a reduction of 244MW of energy was recorded by DEWA purely from lights being switched off across Dubai, goes to show that this symbolic movement alone can translate into so much more.
Danfoss - a company that deals with manufacturing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions -- shares 10 top tips to reduce usage and ultimately save on utility bills:
Set the AC thermostat at a higher temperature
When the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperature is lesser, AC units run more efficiently and the overall cooling bill will be lower
Include an AC cycling schedule
Particularly during the summer months when residents travel and do not completely switch off the AC units to avoid temperature build-up inside the house, an AC cycling schedule can significantly reduce the consumption of electricity
Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your room AC thermostat
The extra heat from these devices will cause AC units to run longer than necessary, therefore, keeping them away reduces electricity consumption
Turn off the lights when you leave the room
It is important to switch off the lights when you leave a room, especially when you leave the house. By reducing the amount of energy consumption, this curtails greenhouse gas emissions and therefore, the overall effect on the ozone layer.
Switch to low-energy LED lightbulbs
Another consumption-reducing tip is to use LED lights. They not only maximize efficiency by using less energy, but also save money in the long run as they last a longer timeframe.
Set the refrigerator at the ideal temperature
To increase the energy efficiency of refrigerators at home and in the office, set the temperature to 1.5 to 3.5 Celsius for food and -18 Celsius for the freezer. Regular maintenance is also a must by regularly defrosting the freezer, ensuring the refrigerator door is airtight and keeping the door open for as little time as possible.
Unplug unused electronics from the wall
While your charger may not consume a drastic amount of power, keeping devices plugged in all day at the same time results in a large jump in energy consumption. Therefore, by taking the time to unplug electrical appliances when not in use, money and energy can be saved.
Switch off the tap when brushing teeth
Extending to brushing teeth, face washing and other activities at the sink, switching off the water when not in use can save 13,129 gallons of water each year per person.
Don't throw food out
By reducing food wastage in your home and at restaurants, it helps to keep food out of landfills where it produces methane, in turn increasing climate change. This also lowers household bills and disposal costs for food and beverage outlets.
Quick Fact
By 2025, cities will create enough solid waste to fill a line of rubbish trucks 5,000km long each day - equivalent to the driving distance from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah 29 times. Cities across the world produce more that 60% of all carbon emissions and are responsible for consuming 78% of all energy globally.
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