Simple gadgets help cut carbon footprint

Everyone talks about it, so many are concerned about the consequences, yet not many people go out of their way to save water or electricity. It is not known why this attitude exists, but here is a list of products that help save these precious natural resources. They are widely found in the UAE. You do not need to buy and install a water tank that costs half of your salary to save water. A simple product that doesn't cost much is all you need, and it is called an aerator. It is the size of your thumb and its installation should not be regarded as complicated: screw it into the tip of your faucet. The explanation of how it works can be put into six words — it adds air to the water. The aerator produces air bubbles as the water flows. This reduces the consumption of water while maintaining the same flow. Article continues below According to the Michigan Water Efficiency Programme, these nifty things can reduce the flow of water by 12 to 65 litres per day. If you are worried about spending a few dirhams to buy the aerator, do not worry, you will get it back by saving on your monthly water bills. They can be found in most hardware stores and hypermarkets. Energy waste Tumble dryers are one of the most energy-consuming appliances and, as a result, are expensive to run and are significant contributors to your carbon footprint. The best solution is not to use them at all. However, for those who cannot live without them, there is a way to reduce the time these machines are running. A reliable product is dryer balls. They might look like ordinary colourful balls but these spiky spheres could save you electricity — and therefore money. Dryer balls could reduce your tumble drying costs by 25 per cent. This is how they work: The spikes on the dryer balls separate the clothing, which allows heat and airflow to circulate freely, thus reducing the time you need to dry your clothes. The specially designed surface also eliminates the need for fabric softeners, which usually contain chemicals, as the nodules breakdown the stiffness caused by the drying. If this is not enough, they also cut down on lint (waste fluff). You can find dryer balls in hardware stores. Moving on to the backyard, it is a waste to have a garden if you can't see it at night. In order to see, you need light. But that is a waste of electricity. So why not opt for solar powered garden lights? The soft lights do not need to be turned on, as their sensors automatically turn the lights on when the sun sets. No matter how little you spend on your monthly electricity bill, nothing beats reading "Dh0". These can be found in hardware stores and in some furniture shops. Although electricity generated by light bulbs is not as significant as that of an air-conditioner or a refrigerator, it is still recommended to cut down on it. The energy saving light bulb is actually an LED lamp that can replace a higher wattage incandescent lamp. The only difference is that this LED light requires just eight watts, meaning 80 per cent less energy. And with a lifespan of several thousand hours, it lasts longer than an average incandescent light bulb. You can find them in different sizes. There are options available in several leading brands. Most of the residents of the UAE leave their air conditioners on most of the day during summer, which as per the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (Dewa) statistics, accounts for 70 per cent of an individual's electricity bill. Doors and windows are usually not airtight, so no matter how cool a room is, heat will enter through the cracks. Closing those gaps with weather-stripping could save up to 15 per cent of the cooling costs, say some industry experts. To install you just need to peel the strip, then stick it on. That is it. You can buy weather-stripping at most hardware stores. Good idea Some products save water, others save electricity — the next item does both. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, about 33 per cent of indoor water use in the home goes towards bathing. So it is a good idea to start saving, and that does not mean showering less. The Ionic Power Shower by Blu has a water filtration system that saves up to 50 per cent of water and energy. This is due to the showerhead's ability to increase the water pressure and break the water into tiny droplets. You can buy this showerhead in pharmacies.