How to find new ways to save on utility costs

Readers discuss utility costs. Other topics: English grammar and teaching aides

Readers suggest there should be greater use of solar technology. Silvia Razgova / The National

I am writing about the rise in utility prices in Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi residents face utility price rises, November 17). Water and electricity have always been subsidised and so what we pay now is not what the services actually cost.

The whole world is struggling financially and if the subsidy levels slightly are changing, we should still be thankful that we are paying less for our utilities than many other countries. Our costs could be triple or higher if we lived in another place.

Moreover, we are paying less without having to pay income taxes and that fact seems to escape people.

I don’t think that these decisions are made just to raise money. They are designed to curb consumption.

This is critical in a country where many people don’t even pay attention to their consumption habits.

Arsalan Al Hashimi, Abu Dhabi

Because the country receives so much direct sunlight, a solar plan for the entire city would be the most efficient solution for both revenue and energy.

A completely solar panelled house could run a city block with the amount of sunlight here. The technology of solar panels has evolved so far that the lack of solar use for private homes is a missed opportunity.

With other cost of living issues increases, these price rises will certainly hurt a number of residents and put owners in a bind if people begin to leave the country.

Diana Phelps, Dubai

The majority of residents in Abu Dhabi live in rented accommodation and so many have no choice on the type of air conditioning, water pumps, pipes, heaters that are in our home.

If we wanted to use solar panels, it would be difficult to get permission. That means that many people can’t change their monthly bills, even if they wanted to try.

Michael Bradley, Abu Dhabi

I would love to hear more details from authorities about why this increase is taking place right now.

Robert Bradley, Abu Dhabi

Debate best left out of the media

I am writing about the controversy in the United Kingdom regarding the sacking of a Muslim teaching aide (British Muslim fights dismissal from teaching assistant job after objecting to September 11 clip, November 17).

This story was reported in the British press at the time and her dismissal was a culmination of several things. She was a teaching assistant, not the teacher and wanted to run the classes she was in, talking over the teacher, poor timekeeping to lessons and generally being disruptive.

To be talking to the press when the case is continuing shows poor judgment. Teaching assistants need common sense and she seems to lack this. She had also only been at the school a short time and I am surprised she wishes to mark herself so publicly.

Carol Goodey, UK

Why would graphic video be shown to children in any case? There are plenty of videos out there about the September 11 attacks that are less graphic.

Katy Cochran Rakow, Dubai

I remember seeing a video about the Holocaust when I was in the fourth grade. That image has haunted me since, but also helped me to understand that horrible things do happen in the world.

As a global culture, we need to discuss when to talk to children about all of the horrors of the world. This woman’s protest should be seen as an opportunity for us to open a dialogue.

Jennie Egloff, Abu Dhabi

There’s more to this story than is being told. I don’t think it’s right that the teaching assistant is discussing this private issue with the media while the matter is still an open case.

Sam Clarke, Abu Dhabi

Where should the full stop go?

I am writing with tips concerning the weekend column of Arun Kundnani (US election has exposed the distaste for democracy among America's elite, November 18).

The final full stop immediately following the exclamation mark looks suspicious to me. The British English sources I’ve consulted have nothing to say on this issue, but Chicago Manual of Style says something interesting: “Any punctuation that is part of the title should not affect the punctuation of the surrounding text (with the exception of a sentence-ending period, which should be omitted after a title ending in a question mark or exclamation point.” Something to consider for next time.

Name withheld by request