Learn to switch off those energy-wasting habits

Making small lifestyle changes can go a long way towards preserving energy, young children were told yesterday as the government launched a campaign to drill this message home to everyone.

Gathered inside a tent in Great Siege Square, Valletta, which was being pounded by the heavy rain, children had their eyes glued on the five animators who added some fun to their serious message: that a little effort can go a long way.

One measure would be putting the television set on a timer so that it does not stay on throughout the night. Leaving equipment, like computers, on standby also wastes electricity unnecessarily.

Messages on stands mounted along Republic Street form part of the campaign to pass on information and each household is expected to receive a booklet. Both carry practical tips on energy-saving imparted by seven well-known personalities. They have seen the light. Have you?, the catchphrase goes.

"We are wasting a lot of electricity because of lack of awareness," Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said explained, adding that small measures can have an effect in reducing consumption.

Called Switch, the campaign is urging people to "switch" their habits, bringing about a change in mentality, he said.

"This does not mean reducing one's standard of living but simply making an effort to switch off the light or appliances when they are not being used," he said, adding that this also brought with it an economic advantage and helped ease the impact on the environment.

A shop in Valletta, Resources Minister George Pullicino said, had changed its lighting and air conditioning system and cut down its electricity bill by some 60 per cent. This had also taken place at the ministry.

Simple ways to preserve energy

• Switch off television sets, mobile chargers, DVD players and so on without leaving them on standby because this also uses power.

• Keep doors closed when using air conditioners.

• Reducing the washing machine temperature from 60 to 30˚C saves electricity and gives the same results.

• Having a bath uses double the amount of water than when taking a shower.

• Switching on the water heater one hour before having a shower saves electricity.

• Computer LCD monitors are more energy-efficient than old monitors.

• Petrol is saved by servicing the car regularly, keeping car tyres properly inflated and driving at a constant speed.