Top tips for saving water & energy

BE A HERO AT HOME... There are lots of ways to help save the UAE by saving energy and water. Take a look at our tips and see if you can think of any more yourself!

• IT'S COOL TO BE A LITTLE WARMER!

  The AC uses up more electricity than any of your other household appliances. We’re not asking you to get too hot, but please try setting your AC thermostat just a degree or two higher - no lower than 24 degrees - and ask your family to do the same in their bedrooms. Turn it off altogether when the room is cool enough for the night. And remember to turn the AC off completely when you go out.

• BAN THE BATH!

  Water heaters use lots of energy too, so take a quick shower instead of spending ages in the bath. If your water tank is outdoors or on the terrace, you probably won’t need the water heater at all in summer If you do need it, you really only need it switched on for 20 minutes before you shower.

• TRY THESE BRIGHT IDEAS.

  When a bulb needs replacing, ask your mum and dad to choose energy saving lightbulbs, as they use much less energy and last up to 10 times longer than the regular lightbulbs! Talking of lights, please remember to switch them off if there’s no one in the room, and ask your brothers and sisters to do the same.

• MAKE THE SWITCH!

  If you leave your computer, TV, stereo or other entertainment devices on standby overnight, they use nearly as much energy as when they’re switched on. So please switch them off at the plug - it only takes a moment!

• GIVE YOUR TAPS A GOOD TURN!

  When you’re brushing your teeth or washing, remember to switch the tap off when you’re not actually using the water. And make sure to turn them off fully, with no drips. You’d be surprised how much it will save.

• DON’T LEAVE LEAKS FOR WEEKS!

  If you ever spot a leak around your home or in the neighbourhood, go straight to your mum or dad and point it out.

• FLUSH WITH SUCCESS!

  Tell mum and dad that if they pop a water-saver in the toilet tank, it will make a big difference to the amount of water that gets used when it’s flushed. A simple brick or bottle will do.

• ….AND SPREAD THE WORD AT SCHOOL!

  You can practice all those energy and water saving tips at school as well. Tell all your schoolmates about them too, because the more people who want to be Heroes of the UAE, the more successful we will be.

  
  When you leave your classroom, make sure the lights are switched off and turn off the AC if the room is going to be empty.
  
  If you’re in class and the AC is switched on, make sure the doors and windows are closed, so the cool air can’t escape.
  
  Switch off computers in your class if they’re not in use.
  
  Let a teacher know if you spot any tap or pipe leaks around the school.
  
  Turn off taps tightly when you’re not using them.
  
  Take a thermos to school every day instead of bottled water.
  
  Walk, cycle or take the bus to school instead of getting your parents to drive you in their car. If you must drive to school, try car pooling with friends that live nearby.
  
  And at all times, please encourage your friends to pick up the same good habits.