dewa-pushes-for-electricity-and-water-reduction-in-homes-when-families-are-travelling

DEWA urges responsible behaviour in minimizing electricity and water in empty properties Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched today a new initiative to raise awareness amongst residents and the general public about the need to ensure efficient energy consumption in homes when they go on their travels. This is part of its ongoing campaign to all sectors of society about the importance of reducing energy and water. “These initiatives are consistent with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, in keeping with his long-term initiative launched under the name, Green Economy for Sustainable Development to drive sustainable development in Dubai and the UAE. Through the existing campaign, DEWA is encouraging residents to minimise wastage and promote responsible behaviour in terms of electricity and water consumption. It will also showcase DEWA’s endeavours in sustaining precious natural resources and that we all need to take responsibility in tackling global warming,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. “DEWA is determined to encourage sustainability and protect the environment, by raising awareness about the importance of conserving and rationalising usage of electricity and water, so as to deliver the best possible services to its customers. Responsible energy consumption will not only help sustain our precious resources and reduce wastage levels, but will invariably also ensure safety at homes,” added Al Tayer. According to DEWA, a few simple steps can help reduce energy wastage levels when homes are unoccupied during vacation periods. These include: • Setting the refrigerator’s thermostat to optimal efficiency levels • Fixing tap leakages, considering that a drop per second can amount to a significant amount of water wastage • Before stepping out of the home, turn off water heaters and all unnecessary lights The initiative also highlights the importance of: • Switching off all equipment at the sockets, which means they are not left on stand-by modes. (Items that use ‘phantom power’ can account for as much as 10 per cent of home energy use.) • Unplug all chargeable electronics such as cell phones and battery chargers. • Close curtains and blinds to help keep the heat in during cool weather and the hot air out during the summer. • Turn off outdoor decorative water fountains, features and pumps, and programme drip-irrigation to efficient levels. • Check the garage and back houses to make sure all unused electric devices are switched off or unplugged. • Use the energy-saving setting if available for all appliances, particularly your refrigerator and air conditioner. One way of ensuring efficient energy use is to read the power and water meter before leaving to go on holiday and after returning home. This way, it is possible to detect hidden energy wasters such as electronic devices that appear to be off but are really on standby or phantom power.