As Singapore continues to advance technologically and economically, the demand for energy steadily rises. Although the capacity of renewable energy has expanded, fossil gas continues to be the main energy source for Singapore. Natural gas is not renewable and emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change and global warming.
As part of its climate pledge, Singapore plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The nation-state’s approach to reaching its target include improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions from power generation, developing low-carbon technologies, and responding through collection action.
By adopting energy-efficient practices and making conscious choices in our daily routines, we can collectively reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption while helping to secure a cleaner, greener future for our city.
Here is a checklist to help you build good energy-saving habits:
- Turn off lights, fans, and air conditioning when leaving a room.
- Turn off the water heater when you’re done with your shower.
- Switch off electrical appliances at the power socket.
Instead of leaving an appliance on standby power, switch it off at the power socket. When devices such as laptops, TVs, modems, and routers are left on, they continue to use electricity.
- Use a fan instead of turning on the air conditioner.
Electric fans require around 30 times less electricity to operate than a standard air conditioning unit. Research shows that widespread use of fans has the potential to reduce energy demand and emissions attributed to air conditioner use by up to 70%.
- If you must switch on the air conditioner, set it to a moderate temperature (around 25-26°C) to reduce energy consumption.
Setting the air conditioner to a moderate temperature conserves energy and helps manage electricity demand, especially during peak hours. Once the room is sufficiently cooled, switch to a fan and avoid running the air conditioner for extended periods.
- Open your curtains during the day to maximise natural lighting and minimise the need for artificial lights.
- Use energy-efficient appliances and consider switching to LED bulbs for lighting.
LED bulbs consume up to 25% less electricity than Compact Fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs and can last about 2.5 times longer.
Choose an energy efficient appliance with more ticks on the energy label. An appliance with fewer ticks may cost you more in electricity bills in a year.
Image courtesy of NEA
Which eco-friendly habits are you adding to your everyday life, and which are you already doing?