Optimum use of electricity
The government plan to clip spending (Daily Star, May 01) is very welcome indeed. If implemented, they should have far reaching effects on our nation's health. This, however, is going to take considerable time.
What I intend to talk about is a matter of more immediate and urgent concern. You guessed it right: electricity and water. Everybody is talking about electricity generation. But what about consumption? Can we not exercise economy in the use of electricity? Surely we can if we really want to.
You all know, maximum load shedding takes place during working hours.
There should be immediate improvement in electricity and water supply if we drastically cut electricity consumption in offices and shops during working hours. This seems difficult but I am sure it is possible.
The first requirement is the government's will to enforce austerity in electricity consumption. A mass awareness move needs to be started in the print and electronic media on the subject immediately. The government should enforce strict discipline in the electricity use in all offices and shops all over the country. The ministers themselves should practise economy before asking others to follow. Supervisors at different levels of govt, non-govt and private offices should be specifically tasked to monitor these activities regularly.
I suggest the following austerity moves to save electricity:
1. Do not switch on lights during daylight hours unless absolutely necessary.
2. Move curtains away from the windows to let in natural light.
3. Get used to working in optimum lighting conditions.
4. Switch off lights/fans/ACs which are not necessary.
5. When leaving office, switch off lights/fans/ACs and all other
non-essential electrical appliances
6. Switch off computers when not in use.
7. Do not put ACs at too cold settings (suggested setting: 25 degrees Celsius ).
8. Switch off 50% of the lights in brightly lit shops.
9. Use low energy electric bulbs.
10. Do not use electric heaters/ovens. Use gas ovens/cookers.
11. Ban decorative electric lighting on all official or private occasions.
We should all recognise that the present electric supply situation is desperate. Urgent and serious endeavours are needed to prevent the looming disaster.
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