Switch it off or turn it down: ESB should practise what it preaches

WRITING about so-called waste generation, Bill Bryson once observed that it takes the equivalent of five nuclear power plants to feed all the appliances left running unnecessarily.

The bestselling author implored people to switch off lights in unoccupied rooms and stop cranking up central heating to levels that would “scandalise a Finnish sauna housekeeper”.

In a booklet now being distributed nationwide, the ESB is suggesting similar steps — not necessarily for the benefit of the environment but to counter the impact of their shock-inducing price hike.

They are nudging bill-payers to save a watt by turning down washing machines and turning off TVs when not in use. Commendable recommendations — even if they come from a company whose conservation record is not entirely encouraging.

Many will recall the ESB’s Shop Electric stores and how they radiated conspicuously after hours as walls of TVs played through the night to deserted shop floors.

Ignoring calls for this to be rectified, management contravened their sensible advice to the business community that “companies which use energy efficiently can reap benefits such as increased competitiveness”.

Today, the ESB continues to set a bad example. Faulty street lights which fail to turn off when night-time passes are dotted all across the country. There is no urgency shown in repairing them and often they shine on in broad daylight for weeks or months.

Any reminder to conserve energy is to be welcomed, but before shining a light on customer wastage the ESB ought to curb its own consumption and practise what it preaches.

Philip Kiernan

Ballinderry

Mullingar

Co Westmeath