Singapore switched on for Earth Hour

SINGAPORE - It is touted as the best invention ever, especially for humid Singapore. But the air-conditioner consumes a lot of energy and Golden Village (GV) Yishun said that, after adjusting its air-conditioner temperatures to between 23°C and 24°C - from between 20°C and 21°C - its energy usage has dipped by a third. Leading GV's green efforts, Mr Roger Lim, its chief information officer, said it is easier to justify the temperature hike at its Yishun multiplex, which is now certified green after being awarded a BCA Green Mark Gold Award when its three-month refurbishment ended in November. Air-conditioner temperatures will remain at between 20°C and 21°C at its other eight multiplexes. Mr Lim, who is overseeing GV's technology and facilities operations, said this is because "... people are very used to having it cold in the cinema halls". "In GV Yishun, we position ourselves as a green cinema, so it's easy to convey the message across to patrons that we are adjusting the temperature." Some patrons like 18-year-old Samuel Tee are uncomfortable with the change at Golden Village Yishun. "I sweat like mad," he said. But Mr Daniel Ng, 21, welcomed the warmer temperatures. "It was quite cold before the refurbishment, I had to bring a jacket." His view echoed that of the 52 per cent of 462 respondents in a poll who found cinemas to be the coldest, followed by offices and schools. The poll was conducted in a lead-up to Earth Hour in Singapore by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which is advocating a one-hour light switch-off on March 26 at 8.30pm in addition to raising temperatures to 24°C or above. Another major cinema operator, Cathay, has yet to confirm it will increase air-con temperatures to 24°C or above during Earth Hour. The two integrated resorts - Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa - have also pledged their support by increasing the air-conditioning temperature to 24°C. Offices, too, are doing their part. Today, 70 per cent of CDL tenants in 13 buildings will support their landlord's call to turn off the air-conditioning during lunchtime from 1pm to 1.30pm. Temperatures average about 24°C in CDL buildings. CapitaLand will raise temperatures from 24°C to 25°C in over 30 properties. Earth Hour's main event will be held at The Promontory @ Marina Bay tomorrow, from 5.30pm to 10pm.