PLANTABLE
BOOKMARK
INSIDE
A guide to
conscious living.
Table
of contents
A message from
the CEO
13
Turn trash
into treasure
6-7
Six steps to
conscious
cooling at home
taqeef.com
14-15
20-21
Small changes,
big impact
On our cover
Abdulla Lutfi is a young,
dynamic, established Emirati
artist, on the autism
spectrum. Abdulla’s passion
for art stems from his amazing
attention to detail, his black
and white view of the world,
and his sharp sense of humor.
12
Green career
pathways
Activity pages
taqeef.com
Dear readers,
It is with great excitement that we
at Taqeef present the Sustainability
Handbook for Families, an initiative
that inspires us to sow the seeds for a
sustainable future - both figuratively
and literally. The handbook coincides
with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability
as the country works towards a more
sustainable and thriving UAE.
Our cover page is designed by
celebrated Emirati talent, Abdulla Lutfi.
As an artist on the autism spectrum,
Abdulla sees and interprets the world
in a unique, non-conventional way.
He inspires us to change the way we
interact with our environment and to
consider things in a new light. Which is
in fact the purpose of this handbook.
As the world heats up, so does our
energy and air conditioner use, and
that means we’re contributing to a
problem that’s self-perpetuating. On
a global scale, this issue might seem
overwhelming, but if we look closer
to home and examine our own habits,
we’ll see that by thinking a little
differently we too can make an impact,
one degree at a time.
In this handbook you’ll find practical
ideas on how to lower your energy
consumption, along with encouraging
and fun ways to integrate more
sustainable practices in the way you
live, work and play.
A message
from the CEO
We hope it serves as a useful tool for
adopting greener, cleaner habits.
For the past 50 years, we at Taqeef
have been cooling some of the region’s
most iconic spaces and places. We
know, that in a desert climate like ours,
comfort is king. But we also know that
with commitment we can strive to cool
without compromise, and you can too.
Throughout the UAE and the world,
environmental and climate awareness
is playing an increasingly important
role. The decisions we make today
impact our children, our communities,
and our planet. So, as we stride into the
future, let’s ensure the footprints we
leave are small ones; for today’s
generation and the next.
With my best wishes,
Tariq Al Ghussein
CEO
Taqeef
Show your AC some love
Simply keeping your air conditioner
clean and serviced makes it work more
efficiently, will improve your indoor air
quality, and lower your bills. You can dust the vents
and clean your filter yourself once a month and aim
to get your units serviced professionally at least
twice a year.
The magic number
A 24 degrees celsius set-point is the magic
number. The best way to cut air
conditioning costs, and reduce energy, is
to set the thermostat to 24° which is the optimal
temperature for the body. Even turning the
thermostat up by one degree can save up to six
percent of your electricity consumption.
Living in the UAE means living with AC. In 40-degree heat, cooling equates to comfort,
but if we’re mindful about our AC use we can minimize the energy impact we have on
the environment (and save some money on bills too!). Here’s how:
Home comforts
If you’re moving into a new apartment or
villa, find out about the AC first. Old
systems can cost a lot to run and repair
so it’s worth considering this. It’s also important to
understand how to get the best from the cooling
system – many have energy saving features built in
(WiFi control/eco-cool etc.) so ask for the AC
manual so you can figure out how to use them! And
if you don’t have a programmable thermostat, think
about putting one in – it’s a small upgrade that can
lead to big savings.
Six steps to conscious
cooling at home
Buy smart
If you’re installing a new AC, shop around
for one with energy-saving features – look
for smart or WiFi controls, inverter
technology and high EER ratings and you’ll be on the
right track for preserving money and the planet!
Waste not, want not
When not needed, turn your AC off.
Sounds obvious, but a survey conducted
by Taqeef showed that ²/3 of UAE
residents leave their AC on when they go to work or
even when they go on holiday. That’s a lot of
wastage. Instead, use the features on your AC to
reduce your energy outputs; set your AC timer, use
a WiFi enabled smart system or thermostat or if you
don’t have these features, just set the temperature
to a higher set point while you’re away. This will
ensure you don’t come home to a hot-house, but
you won’t have over-cooled the space either.
Shut the front door
This might be obvious – but keep
exterior doors and windows closed – this
will regulate the indoor temperature and
make sure your AC isn’t working harder than it
needs to.
In the UAE, we’re often guilty of over-cooling. So, her
to help you get your thermostat settings right
taqeef.com
er-cooling. So, here’s a temperature guide
t settings right, whatever you’re doing.
10
Why is regular AC
servicing important?
AC maintenance - the must-do’s.
Quarterly indoor
filter clean
Half-year outdoor
unit clean
Annual evaporator
coil cleaning
Annual deep clean
& sanitation on
indoor units
Check piping &
ductwork for blockages
and leaks
Your air conditioner works really hard to battle the UAE’s scorching summer
heat and sweltering humidity. But you probably don’t spend much time thinking
about servicing it — until there’s a problem.
Just like oil changes for your car, AC maintenance isn’t something that’s
optional or extra. Your air conditioner needs care and attention from a
professional at least twice a year.