Energy efficient

2011/10/03

WHEN Japan faced an energy crisis as a result of the Fukushima nuclear disaster earlier this year, one of the most immediate steps that kicked in was the casual dress-code in the office. Instead of the two- or three-piece suit that is the uniform of the Japanese office, workers were instructed to dress casually -- there was not enough energy to cool the offices. This measure made sense not only in a time of crisis, but also during any other time, because it saves the amount of energy that an office has to use. The cooling of buildings takes up 40 to 60 per cent of energy costs. One celsius lower increases energy consumption by 10 per cent, on the other hand, one celsius higher results in savings between four and seven per cent of costs.

That the government's decision to limit air-conditioning temperatures in its offices to no less than 24oC will save taxpayers RM100 million a year is welcome news, especially when this saving comes at no particular expense to civil servants. Government offices are notoriously cold -- jackets, windcheaters, cardigans and shawls are the unofficial uniform of most civil servants in the most modern of offices. An increase in temperature within the office might allow them to cast these off, and may result in savings in the winter-clothing department, too.

For, although Malaysia does not as yet have electricity shortage problems (we have a surplus reserve energy margin), this may not always be the case. As our population continues to grow, and as technological gadgets move from being a luxury to a necessity, our energy consumption will increase. At the same time, power tariffs will certainly increase. Eventually, consumer behaviour will have to change to adapt to changing circumstances. Eventually, people will have to accept that, if it is to be used at all, air-conditioning should be to make a room not hot (as opposed to freezing cold).

The government's move is just a start. It has some way to go towards fulfilling its international pledge to reduce by 2020 carbon emissions up to 40 per cent of the production level in 2005 (the figure being relative to economic output). But lessening our carbon footprint can be more effectively and sincerely done within our own environment, rather than paying other countries to off-set it for us. The National Energy Efficiency Masterplan, which is currently being formulated, must compel the nation to champion energy efficiency. We must make a conscious decision to be energy efficient. To get to "eventually", we must start now.

Source: New Straits Time October 4 2011.