Some weeks ago, this newspaper reported that when the water and electricity surcharge was at its highest at 67.5 per cent – that is before the most recent increase which took the surcharge up to an unprecedented 95 per cent for three months ending September – the consumption of energy was at its lowest.

Enemalta Corporation figures showed that since the surcharge was introduced in November 2005, the consumption of energy in March and April 2006 – when the surcharge was 67.5 per cent – consumption was 168,000 MWh. On the other hand, when the surcharge was at its lowest – at 45 per cent between March and July 2007 – consumption increased to an average of 190,000 MWh a month.

There are various ways how people can reduce the energy they consume, and therefore keep the water and electricity bill as low as possible. The government says that it can do nothing to

control the inevitable rise in the price of oil that is affecting each and every country worldwide. But it can, at least, embark on a campaign to inform the public as to how energy can be saved. Enemalta Corporation and the Water Services Corporation, the two entities responsible for providing energy and water, should play a leading role in this.

As the government prepares to revise the water and electricity tariffs, which will be announced some time at the end of summer, it would be appropriate for it to come up with a comprehensive promotional campaign urging the people not to waste energy.

The most common wastage is when people leave their lights on when they do not need them on – either because they are out of the room or because there would be enough sunlight. People also tend to leave the water running needlessly while they are preparing to have a shower or washing their hands.

Electrical appliances – such as computers and televisions – are left on stand-by when they could be switched off. Computers and TVs are among those appliances that are kept switched on when nobody is using them or watching them. Water heaters are left on day and night when they could be switched on a few hours before bath-time in winter, and perhaps left switched off during the hotter months when the water, particularly in water tanks on the roof, is warm enough.

Both corporations will certainly come up with more ideas as to how energy could be saved.

Enemalta and the WSC have the duty not only to provide the electricity and water services to each and every household and business, but also to inform users not to waste energy needlessly.

People can save a lot of money if they are more careful in they way they consume energy. It might be impossible to live without air-conditioners in the Maltese hot summer months – especially in offices where people work in the afternoons during summer, when it is unbearable if no air-conditioners are switched on – but then there are other things that people can do to counter-balance.

For example, why should people continue using

tumble-driers in summer when the clothes would

dry up more quickly if they are taken for a couple

of hours on the roof? On rainy days in winter a

tumble drier is a comfortable appliance, but it is

sheer waste of energy – and money – if it is used

in summer.

We can all do our little bit to save energy, and we

would gaining from this because our bills will be

cheaper if we consume less power.