Business & Money | Monday 29 April, 2019 3:24 am |

By ServiceMarket.com

 

With Earth Day just around the corner, you may be wondering if you’re doing enough to conserve the environment. Even small steps and minor changes in your habits can lead to a much eco-friendlier home. The experts at ServiceMarket, the UAE’s leading online marketplace for maintenance services, have compiled this one-stop guide to help you conserve the environment and save thousands of dirhams on your bills.

 

Embrace efficient cooling methods:

 

• Use air conditioners efficiently: AC units in your home use a lot of energy and are responsible for a large portion of your electricity bills. You’d be surprised by how much you can save with some simple steps. Consider running your air conditioner at 24 degrees or higher because your cooling costs can go down by 9% with each additional degree. Keep your AC in good condition and consider replacing the unit if it’s more than 10 years old. Worn down ACs are less efficient and consume more energy. You should also make sure that your AC is running at its full capacity since cooling costs can double if it’s not working properly. Clogged air conditioners have to work harder to maintain the temperature of your room. As a result, they end up using more electricity. You can improve your AC unit’s performance by getting it serviced regularly by a professional AC maintenance company in Dubaifor as little as AED 179.

 

• Ceiling fans don’t use a lot of energy: Contrary to what you might think, ceiling fans use around the same amount of energy as a light bulb. To save energy, run your AC at a slightly higher temperature and complement its cooling with a ceiling fan. Fresh air is free, so be sure to open your windows and use it whenever weather permits.  

 

• Don’t underestimate the power of insulation: Good insulation can help you maintain the temperature of your room for hours without using additional energy. Make sure that your walls, floor and ceiling have a layer of insulation. Cover up any gaps around your windows and doors, and consider installing double layer windows in your home if you do not have them. While choosing curtains in Dubai, go for heavy fabric drapes, shades or curtains with thermal lining. These types of curtain designs block light and heat. 

 

Conserve on lighting:

 

• Consider investing in more energy-efficient lightssuch as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and halogen incandescent instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. They might cost more initially but will save you a lot more in the long run. Another trick is to use natural sunlight whenever possible. Sheer curtains are ideal for allowing a comfortable amount of sunlight to enter your room.

 

Cut down unnecessary use of electrical appliances: 

 

• Refrigeration: Always make sure that the food you are putting into your fridge is cool enough. Always wait for freshly cooked or heated food to cool down before putting it into your fridge. Be sure to defrost your freezer whenever the layer of ice grows thicker than a quarter of an inch.  

• Washing machines & dishwashers: Washing clothes and dishes by hand requires more water compared to washing machines and dishwashers. Try to wait until you have enough clothes and dishes to fill the appliances because washing in multiple rounds wastes more water and energy. When you are buying home appliances, make sure to select the most energy efficient appliances in the market – it will save you money in the long-run.

 

Conserve water:

 

• Remember to always turn off the tap when you are not using it. Did you know that you can save up to 8 gallons of water by turning off the tap when you brush your teeth in the morning and at night? The same applies when you are washing the dishes – don’t leave the water running. Our lawns and gardens need very large quantities of water to stay green, but there are several ways to conserve water. Water your garden early in the morning or after sunset to avoid rapid evaporation and use an efficient irrigation method. If you have a swimming pool, cover it when it’s not in use to avoid evaporation.

 

Smart-home solutions rock:

 

• Everybody knows that we should keep our lights, ACs, fans, and appliances off when we’re not using them, but a lot of us forget to do so. That’s why it’s worth investing in a smart home solution which can automatically switch them off when they’re not in use. Not only are smart home solutions useful for conserving energy, but they can also make your life much more comfortable. For example, they can automatically turn off lights when you leave the room and when there is enough natural light. 

 

Whether you are looking for a handymanto install energy-efficient lights or an AC cleaning service, you can easily find and book a suitable service through ServiceMarket. Be sure to celebrate this Earth Day in an eco-friendlier home!