An Internet survey of 500 Shanghai people reveals most local residents are taking measures to conserve energy.

But the same residents also are largely unaware of the government's energy-conservation policies.

The survey was conducted in late August by Mytianhui.com, a city-based research provider, which also cooperates with Shanghai Daily.

Nearly 90 percent of the respondents said they have taken various steps to conserve energy, but 47 percent did not know the Chinese government has established laws to improve energy efficiency.

The leading two popular residential measures are using energy-saving bulbs (73 percent of the respondents) and turning off computers completely instead of leaving them on stand-by (71 percent).

Sixty percent completely turn off televisions and 50 percent unplug air conditioners when not using them.

The respondents believed that not using disposable products, setting air conditioners' temperature above 26 degrees Celsius in summer and using energy-saving bulbs are the most effective ways of saving energy.

However, only one percent unplug microwave ovens and only six percent unplug sound systems when not in use.

Zhao Guotong, a city official and expert on energy efficiency, said: "The survey results show energy-saving should be promoted by economic policy instead of government-initiated education."

He said the survey shows the local residents do much better than their US counterparts at conserving energy. One contributory cause is that utility fees account for a higher percentage of Chinese salaries than US salaries.

An average Shanghai family will consume up to 500 yuan (US$67) of power each month in summer, more than a fifth of the city's average salary this year.

In the US, however, utilities cost far less than Shanghai, Zhao said.

In recent years, the Chinese government has issued a range of administrative regulations to cut energy consumption and maintain sustainable economic development, such as the architectural energy-saving standards.

Zhao suggests the government take the lead in implementing its regulations.

(Shanghai Daily October 1, 2007)