From awareness to action in saving energy

16/10/2012

After the campaign for electricity and energy saving programs in 2012 recently launched in Hanoi, about 100,000 typical households have adopted energy and money saving measures.

Firstly organized in 2010, the purpose of the energy saving campaign in Hanoi is to propagandize energy saving programs from 10 inner districts to 29 other districts and towns in the city, including training and improving knowledge for over 6,000 volunteers and speakers in 577 communes and towns about how to choose and to use electricity saving appliances. According to Hanoi's Industry and Trade Department Deputy Director Pham Duc Tien, the most important thing that the campaign brought to households is to help them raise awareness on the energy saving, then changed their ways and habits of using electricity. In 2010 and 2011, the campaign helped to save 17 million kWh and 17 million kWh respectively.

It is obvious that consumers have gradually get used to energy saving concept. Their habits of using electricity have also changed as they already equipped electricity saving appliances such as energy saving compact lamps, electric fans and solar water heater.

The campaign has created a "wave" over most of the families in the city. According to Ta Thi Diep in Te Qua Hamlet, Tam Hung Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi- one of the 100,000 typical households participating the campaign, the movement helped raise people's awareness about the role of saving electricity to their lives.

After changing their ways and habits of using electricity, Diep's family now can save from 60 to 75 percent on lighting costs. Diep's family uses a solar water heater and dozens of her light bulbs are compact or compact fluorescent bulbs. Therefore, her electric bill is about only VND100,000 per month.

In the context of electricity shortages, energy saving programs are the targets of many families. However, the prices of energy saving appliances, especially modern ones like air-conditioners, refrigerators and solar water heaters are quite high compared with consumer's average incomes.

After two previous successful organizations, Hanoi's People Committee and the Ministry of Industry and Trade decided to continue to organize the 2012 campaign. With the message "turn off unnecessary electric equipments on all 365 days, action for us and for future generations", the campaign aims at creating good habits for Hanoi citizens in energy saving movement.

The Electricity Corporation of Hanoi (EVN HANOI) Deputy Director Nguyen Anh Tuan said that in the remaining six months of 2012, EVN HANOI will hold 100 propaganda sessions for over 100,000 households and 420 primary schools in the city. A VND200,000 per family prize will be handed to typical energy efficient households of the city.

Notably, according to Son Ha International Joint Stock Company, in 2012 the company will continue to support consumers by offering VND1 million off for each solar heater sold. This year campaign is expected to save about 28 million kWh of electricity.

Some criteria to be recognized the title "Energy Efficient Households in Hanoi 2012" include: Families have been living in Hanoi for at least two years and more. They have electricity sales contract with the city's electricity companies and make full and timely payment in 2011 and 2012. Typical families this year must be the key force who participate in the 2012 energy saving campaign and have experience in propagandizing and mobilizing the public for energy effective use.

Especially, they must be using one of several energy saving products such as energy-labeled compact lamps, water-saving toilet seats, electric magnetic cookers, inverter air-conditioners, solar water heaters and biogas plants.

According to Hanoi's Industry and Trade Department, households accounts for 53 percent of the city's total electricity consumption.

By LM

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