6 easy ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle

As individuals, we have our part to play in saving the earth.

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Doing your part to save the earth doesn’t require you to spend a bomb or make big changes in your daily routine. Here are some easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint and help establish a more sustainable world.

We’ve been reading about Antarctica and Greenland shedding ice at record rates, and whales dying from plastic consumption, but what are we doing about it? According to the world’s leading climate scientists, we’ve only got about 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe before natural disasters such as floods, extreme heat and drought affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

And while it may seem like our individual action of minimizing the use of electricity and plastic, and even tossing our soda cans in the recycling bin, isn’t going to save the world, the truth is, every individual’s actions matter. Here are some adjustments you can consider making.

1. Reduce the use of plastic 

Unlike products made from natural materials, things made from plastic, including straws, plastic bags, cups, containers and many more can take up to 1,000 years to break down. Furthermore, plastics are killing marine life as a lot of the marine animals mistake plastic for food and end up consuming them. Recently, the news reported that the body of an endangered sperm whale was found on a beach in Murcia, Spain. An autopsy revealed that 29 kg of plastic was stuck to its stomach, blocking its digestive system and causing its death. There have been many other marine animal deaths reported in recent years caused by plastic pollution. To prevent further damage to marine life and to our earth, you can choose to minimize the use of plastic whenever possible, such as bringing your own reusable bag to the supermarket; using your own cup when you buy coffee or tea at the cafe; refrain from using plastic straws; and as much as possible try to avoid buying clothes that are made from plastic-based fabrics like polyester, nylon and spandex.

2. Grow your own mini herb garden

Growing your own herbs and vegetables is a rewarding way to reduce your impact on the environment as you only grow what you need to use, and there is no packaging involved and zero transport emissions. Your produce can also be organic as you can control the amount of pesticides you use, if any at all.

3. Bring your own mug to the cafe

According to data from the National Environment Agency, plastic was the largest category of waste disposed in Singapore last year. And only six percent of the 815,200 tonnes of plastic waste generated were recycled. We can all do our part by reducing plastic consumption by bringing our own mug to the cafe for our morning coffee or tea.

4. Sign up for electricity plan that is 100 percent carbon neutral

Carbon emissions make up 97 percent of Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions, and these emissions lead to more heat being trapped in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Some repercussions of global warming include rise in global sea levels due to melting ice, increased precipitation, and an increase in extreme weather events. We can all do our part to limit the effects of climate change by reducing our carbon footprint, and one way to do so is to sign up for an electricity plan that is 100 percent carbon neutral.

Electricity retailer and energy company Geneco offers a “Get It Green” plan, in which *Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) are retired on behalf of the consumer based on the calculated volume of carbon indirectly emitted from their consumption of purchased electricity and the corresponding retirement certificates issued serve as validation of the electricity’s carbon-neutrality.

*One VCU represents one metric tonne of carbon emissions reduced or removed from the atmosphere.

5. Reduce the use of paper

Save the trees by going paperless, and one easy way to do so is to opt for e-tickets when you fly or go to the movies. You can also opt for e-bills instead of having the hardcopy mailed to your house to cut back on needless paper use.

6. Reduce, reuse and recycle

One way we can do our part to reduce landfill waste is to use less, so less things go to waste; bring your own reusable bags out when you go shopping; use recycled products as it requires less energy to produce them; and avoid using disposable utensils, cups and plastic bags whenever possible. Bringing your own cutlery and water bottle out also goes a long way in ensuring less plastic end up in our landfills.

To find out more about Geneco’s 100 percent carbon neutral “Get It Green” plan, visit www.geneco.sg.

Power the change with Geneco! With no hidden charges and low prices all year round, you can always expect big savings for your electricity bills.  Committed in delivering award-winning customer service and seamless sign up experience, it is easy to see why so many people choose Geneco.

 

from Latest News from PropertyGuru https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/4/179407/6-easy-ways-to-live-a-more-sustainable-lifestyle

Man allegedly posing as HDB-approved contractor charged with cheating

His cheating first came to light last month when it was reported about a middle-aged man offering “repair works” to Toa Payoh residents.

A man who allegedly posed as an HDB-approved contractor was charged on Wednesday (April 3) with cheating five people of $1,250, reported the Straits Times.

Between October 2018 and March this year, Gary Lau allegedly duped his victims into believing he worked for a wall patching services provider firm known as Home Patching Contractor.

On 25 October, Lau offered to patch the walls of Monica Chua Ai Ching’s home in Bedok South Road for $500. Court documents showed that Chua gave the 55-year old a $150 deposit.

Lau allegedly used the same ploy to cheat four other HDB residents in areas such as Lorong 3 Geylang and Ubi Avenue 1.

A police statement revealed that the cheating cases were reported to the police between March 2018 and March this year.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the man was neither authorised nor appointed by HDB for such works, and had cheated more than 19 victims,” the statement said.

However, court documents did not reveal any details about the other 14 people.

After an investigation, Lau was arrested by officers from Bedok Police Division on Monday (April 1).

Lau’s cheating first came to light last month when Stomp reported about a middle-aged man offering “repair works” to Toa Payoh Central flat owners.

A 72-year-old resident, identified only as Vernon, revealed that the man approached his 76-year-old neighbour after he declined the services. The man allegedly punched Vernon when he tried to intervene.

With this, the police has urged residents to be cautious of people posing as officers from government agencies or as HDB-appointed contractors.

“They (residents) should always ask for verification details such as official staff passes from the agency or company, and if in doubt, call the agency or company to seek further verification.”

Lau, who is remanded at Bedok Police Division and faces five counts of cheating, will be back in court on April 10.

Those convicted of cheating can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined for each charge.

 

Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg

from Latest News from PropertyGuru https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/4/179255/man-allegedly-posing-as-hdb-approved-contractor-charged-with-cheating

930,000 HDB households to get U-Save rebates

Homeowners living in one- and two-room flats will receive a $100 rebate this month, $90 rebate for those in three-room flats and $80 rebate for those in four-room flats.

About 930,000 Singaporean households living in HDB flats will receive GST Voucher – Utilities-Save (U-Save) rebates this month to offset part of their utilities bills, revealed the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday (April 2).

Distributed every three months, the U-Save rebates is part of the permanent Goods and Services Tax (GST) voucher scheme.

The ministry revealed that a total of $300 million in U-Save rebates will be given out this year.

Homeowners living in one- and two-room flats will receive a $100 rebate this month, $90 rebate for those in three-room flats and $80 rebate for those in four-room flats.

Those living in five-room flats, on the other hand, will get a $70 rebate and $60 rebate for those in executive and multi-generational flats.

Meanwhile, households whose members own more than one property are not qualified to receive the U-Save rebates.

“Annually, the GST Voucher – U-Save has enabled households in one- and two-room HDB flats to receive support which is equivalent to about three to four months of their utilities bills on average,” said the ministry.

“Those living in three- and four-room HDB flats receive support equivalent to about one to two months of their utilities bills.”

Find HDB flats for sale or read our HDB guides. Can you afford an HDB flat? Check your affordability now. 

 

Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg

from Latest News from PropertyGuru https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/4/179185/930000-hdb-households-to-get-u-save-rebates

How to lower your business operating costs by switching to a cost-effective electricity retailer

Geneco offers cost-effective electricity plans that are designed to meet the needs of businesses of any size.

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Keeping your business operating costs low is essential to remaining profitable. No matter what industry you are in, your business needs to be powered by electricity.

Prior to the Open Electricity Market roll out, only businesses with an average electricity consumption of at least 2,000kWh (at least $400 in monthly electricity bill) were eligible to choose their electricity providers. In other words, to become contestable.

And thanks to the introduction of Singapore’s Open Electricity Market, small businesses with an average electricity consumption of less than 2,000kWh can now have more options than ever when it comes to obtaining a cost-effective electricity supply. Switching to an electricity retailer can help in lowering your daily operational costs and boost your profit margins overnight.

Here’s what you need to know to select the most cost-effective electricity retailer for your small business.

Check if you are eligible to purchase electricity from a different retailer

Currently, businesses who meet the minimum monthly consumption threshold of at least 2,000kWh are eligible to purchase electricity from an electricity retailer. Starting 1 November 2019, Singapore’s Open Electricity Market will be extended to consumers, including small business consumers, across Singapore by zones. This permits small businesses to purchase electricity from the open market rather than be tied to Singapore Power, without the need to meet the consumption threshold to qualify.

Effective 1 March 2019, small businesses at premises with postal codes beginning with 34 to 83 will be extended to consumers, including small business consumers, across Singapore by zones. By 1 May 2019, this initiative will be open to all, islandwide.

That means you can now compare the offerings of a whole host of electricity retailers and find the most cost-effective pricing plan that best suits your business needs. Switching from Singapore Power will almost certainly result in lower electricity bills for your business.

Choose an electricity plan

Once you have determined that you are eligible to switch to a private electricity retailer, you will need to select the best plan for your business.

Most electricity plans from electricity retailers fall into two broad categories:

– Fixed price plan – Locks in a fixed rate for the duration of the plan. Regardless of the fluctuation of the quarterly regulated tariffs, you are protected against rate volatility.

– Discount-off tariff plan – Enjoy a fixed percentage discount off the regulated tariff for the duration of the plan. This guarantees that you always pay a certain percentage less than the regulated tariffs.

Each of these plans offers a different level of risk of price fluctuations. Discount-off-tariff plans are the less risky option.

Switch to Geneco and enjoy big savings with generous promos

Switch to a new electricity plan as soon as possible so your small business can start to reap the benefits.

Switching is a hassle-free affair. Simply choose the Geneco plan you’d like, and Geneco will do the rest to transfer your account from SP. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. In fact, you won’t even notice any difference—until your bill arrives at the end of the month and you see how much money you’ve saved!

Do note that all business consumers who wish to switch to an electricity retailer are required to install an advanced meter (also known as smart meter) to monitor electricity usage every half-hour. This advanced meter is to be installed by SP Group and your contract can only start after the advanced meter is installed.

Geneco offers cost-effective electricity plans that are designed to meet the needs of businesses of any size.

Both types of price plans are available, so you can choose how you wish your electricity bill to be calculated each month based on your business’s budget and risk appetite.

Right now, Geneco is also running a generous promotion for businesses who sign up for their commercial electricity plans:

– 24-month Fixed Price Plan Promo – Get up to $888 rebate off your first electricity bills.

– 24-month Discount-off Tariff Plan Promo – Get up to 68% discount off the regulated tariff for your first electricity bill.

The promotion is valid till 31 March 2019 for new sign-ups only. Terms and conditions apply.

The sooner you switch to Geneco, the greater your overall cost-savings. So don’t hesitate to request a quote now!

With over 48 years of power generation, award-winning customer service and innovative green initiatives, we know all about keeping your world powered. Visit www.geneco.sg to find out more of our compelling power plans.

from Latest News from PropertyGuru https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/3/178835/how-to-lower-your-business-operating-costs-by-switching-to-a-cost-effective-electricity-retailer

8 things to look out for when moving into a new apartment

Before you pick up the keys to your new home, check out these simple moving tips. 

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So, you’re moving into a new apartment. Exciting times lie ahead as you decorate and furnish your new home and turn it into the abode of your dreams.

Here are some tips for a smooth, easy move into your new home.

Look out for deals when purchasing furniture and appliances

Furnishing your new home can cost a pretty penny, so it pays to look out for deals before you buy a unit. Some retail stores offer special offers for bulk purchases. If you’re moving into a newly-built property along with a large group of other new residents, that’s the perfect chance to get everyone together to buy in bulk. Setting up a Facebook group for new residents is one way to coordinate your purchases so everyone can save money. Another option is to attend fairs for furniture, appliances and electronics, where you can often enjoy big discounts.

Book a home moving service early

Moving from one home to another does not need to be stressful if you engage professional movers. They can help wrap and dismantle bulky furniture items, load them into the truck and then transport and deposit them in your new apartment. It’s a good idea to book your moving services early so you can compare prices and ensure you are able to find a mover on your preferred date.

Set up your SP Services account for all your household utilities

It goes without saying that you’ll need water, electricity and gas services to power up your new home. Set up your SP Services account ahead of time for a fuss-free move.

Enjoy a $60 one-time bill rebate when you sign up for Geneco’s electricity plan

Using a cost-effective electricity provider will save you money each month. Geneco’s Get It Fixed 36 is one of Singapore’s lowest electricity plans. The plan lets you lock in their rates for three years, the longest duration available. This is perfect if you’re moving into a BTO flat, as you’ll be living there for at least five years.

Sign up for Geneco’s Get It Fixed 36 and use the promo code REAL60 to enjoy $60 off your electricity bill on the 36-month plan (limited to the first 5,000 sign ups).

Sign up for internet and TV services

In this day and age, internet services are a necessity. You will want to sign up for a broadband plan ahead of time, so you can connect to Wi-Fi once you move in. If you intend to buy a TV, you will also want to sign up for TV services. The local telcos offer broadband and TV bundles that you can compare to find the most cost-effective one.

Arrange for cleaning of your new apartment

It’s a lot easier to clean an apartment when it is still empty than when it has been furnished. So, arrange for cleaning of your apartment ahead of your move-in date. Choose between hiring a professional cleaner, getting friends and family to help out or doing it alone.

Inspect the apartment for defects

If you’re moving into a BTO flat or brand new condo development, you’ll have one year to identify any defects and notify the developer or HDB, who will then have to rectify the problem at no cost to you. So, make sure you inspect the apartment for any cracks, leaks or other issues, and keep an eye out for defects in the coming year.

Reserve parking spaces

If you have a car, you will need to arrange for parking on or near the property. For HDB flat residents, it is advisable to apply for season parking as early as possible if you are living in a popular area, as parking lots are often in short supply. For condo residents, parking lots might be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so check with your building management as early as possible.

Power the change with Geneco! With no hidden charges and low prices all year round, you can always expect big savings for your electricity bills.  Committed in delivering award-winning customer service and seamless sign up experience, it is easy to see why so many people choose Geneco. Visit www.geneco.sg to find out more of our compelling power plans.

 

from Latest News from PropertyGuru https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/3/178510/8-things-to-look-out-for-when-moving-into-a-new-apartment

8 eco-friendly ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year

Chinese New Year is a time for families to get together and celebrate. 

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Chinese New Year is a time to eat, drink, make merry and catch up with people dear to your heart.

But just because you’re having fun doesn’t mean the earth should have to suffer for it.

Making a conscious effort to be eco-friendly this Chinese New Year is not only a small step towards making the world a better place, but also lighter on your wallet thanks to lower electricity bills and fewer purchases.

Here are some tips for celebrating Chinese New Year in a way that has a lower impact on the environment and saving some money while you’re at it.

Use reusable and washable plates, cups and cutlery to eliminate use of disposables

Single-use items such as paper plates and plastic cutlery contribute to Singapore’s waste-disposal woes.

This Chinese New Year, aim to use only reusable and washable plates, cups and cutlery. The water and electricity required to wash reusable cutlery and crockery is nothing compared to the energy and resources required to manufacture and dispose of their single-use counterparts.

In fact, you can even go one step further by bringing along washable crockery and cutlery for your entire family when you visit other homes during Chinese New Year. That way, you’ll be able to avoid using disposables no matter where you go.

Reuse old red packets to make new and unique Chinese New Year decorations for your home

Don’t throw away your old red packets once you’ve removed the money inside. Used red packets can be reused to make new and unique Chinese New Year decorations for your home.

Staple or glue together red packets to create lanterns, fans, pineapples, fish and more. There are scores of videos on YouTube teaching you how to turn your old red packets into beautiful decorative items.

And of course, if you receive any red packets that close using a slot rather than glue, you can just reuse them to put money in next year.

Bring along reusable bags and containers when shopping for Chinese New Year goodies

Chinese New Year goodies such as pineapple tarts, love letters and cornflake cookies are just some of the mouthwatering treats that you’ve waited an entire year to enjoy.

Don’t forget to bring along reusable bags when you do your Chinese New Year shopping. These bags can be used in place of plastic bags and paper bags at supermarkets and shops.

Want to take things one step further? When grocery shopping for reunion dinner, bring along reusable bags made from mesh, cheesecloth or other lightweight materials. This enables you to avoid using the disposable plastic bags typically used to weigh fruit and vegetables in at supermarkets.

You can also bring along reusable bags and containers for anything that’s sold loose. For instance, when buying bak kwa, get the stallholder to put it in a reusable Tupperware rather than wrap it in paper or plastic.

Keep and reuse CNY goodie containers

Chinese New Year goodies are often sold in transparent plastic containers with an unmistakable red lid.

Don’t throw away your containers once the goodies have been consumed. They are very sturdy and can be reused for years.

Use them to store packaging-free snacks and groceries, as planters, to store leftovers from reunion dinner or to contain your own homemade CNY cookies next year.

Consolidate spring cleaning on a Sunday

Before the first day of the Chinese New Year, families all over Singapore will be spring cleaning with a vengeance.

Consolidating all your cleaning tasks on a Sunday before the Chinese New Year can save you money if you’re signed up to electricity provider Geneco’s Get Free Sundays Plan.

The plan gives you free electricity every Sunday, so that’s the day you want to do all your washing, ironing and even cooking for the upcoming festivities.

By washing only full loads, ironing big batches of clothing and cooking in bulk, you’ll also be saving electricity.

Sell or donate unwanted items unearthed during spring cleaning

Spring cleaning often throws up lots of belongings that were purchased a while ago and have since been forgotten.

Instead of hiding these unused items in the back of your closet, put them aside to sell or donate in the New Year. In fact, you can give items away for free on online platforms such as Freecycle.

Anything that’s still in good working order and that you haven’t managed to sell or give away can be donated to charitable organisations.

Take home leftovers

Chinese New Year is all about cooking and eating, but at the end of each day, it is common to be confronted with mountains of leftovers that everyone is too full to eat.

Don’t contribute to the mountains of food waste that are created every day in Singapore. Instead, send your guests home with containers filled with leftovers—recycle your leftover CNY goodie containers for this purpose. You can then pack everything that remains into Tupperware containers for your family’s consumption the next day.

If you’re spending the evening at a friend or relative’s home, don’t forget to bring along some empty containers so you can take home leftovers at the end of the night.

Use fans rather than air conditioning at home

Singapore’s hot and humid weather causes many to leave their homes air conditioned all day and night when receiving visitors during the Chinese New Year period.

Air conditioning consumes a lot more electricity than electric fans, so opt for the latter. Also leave your windows open to maximise air flow whenever the temperature inside is higher than outside. Your guests will also appreciate a free flow of iced water.

Another thing you should do to keep your electricity bill down is to sign up for an affordable plan like Geneco’s Get It Fixed 36, which costs only 17.88 cents per kWh.

For even greater savings, take advantage of Geneco’s upcoming Chinese New Year promotion from 25th January onwards. The first 888 sign-ups for the Get It Fixed 36 plan get $61.88 off their first bill. The next 2,888 sign-ups of any plan, except the Give Us A Try plan, get $31.88 off their first bill, while the next 8,888 sign-ups receive $21.88 off.

With a little bit of planning, it is totally possible to celebrate Chinese New Year in a way that not only respects the earth but is also less expensive for yourself. Happy Year of the Pig!

For more details, kindly visit Geneco’s website.

Brighten up your life with Geneco! With no hidden charges and low prices all year round, you can always expect big savings for your electricity bills.  Committed in delivering award-winning customer service and seamless sign up experience, it is easy to see why so many people choose Geneco. Visit www.geneco.sg to find out more of our compelling power plans.   *Information is correct as of 28 January 2019.

from Latest News from PropertyGuru https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/1/177788/8-eco-friendly-ways-to-celebrate-the-lunar-new-year

Comparing electricity prices in Singapore: How much can you save by switching to a more competitive provider?

Geneco’s 36-month fixed price plan, the Get It Fixed 36, is probably the cheapest plan in Singapore.

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A sea of change has just taken place in Singapore. An open electricity market was launched with effect from November 2018.

This means Singapore households can now choose their own electricity providers instead of having their energy supplied by SP Group by default. There will now be 13 different electricity providers, each offering several plans.

For those who are willing to do their research and pick the most cost-effective plan for their needs, this can translate to cost savings every month.

We’ve done the homework for you and researched the prices being charged by the various electricity companies in Singapore.

Price comparison of 6-month plans

If you are not ready to commit, one option is to try a short 6-month plan, and then sign on to a longer plan afterwards if you are satisfied with the electricity provider. Here are how the various Discount Off The Regulated Tariff plans measure up.

Price comparison of 12-month fixed price plans

Meanwhile, 12-month plans are suitable if you envisage moving to a new house in under two years or are still unsure as to whether you wish to commit for a longer time. Many electricity retailers offer both fixed price and discount-off-tariff plans.

Price comparison of 24-month fixed price plans

Most electricity providers offer 24-month plans that enable you to lock in their rates for two years.

Price comparison of 36-month plans

Longer plans are the most economical option, as you pay less per month than you would on a shorter plan. Many electricity providers offer 36-month plans that enable you to lock in their rates for three years.

So which company offers the most inexpensive electricity in Singapore?

Based on the charts above, it appears that Geneco offers some of the most competitively-priced electricity plans in Singapore.

Geneco’s 36-month fixed price plan, the Get It Fixed 36, is probably the cheapest plan in Singapore, with average monthly bills estimated at just $69.64. The plan locks in a fixed rate over a three-year period.

You also enjoy attractive promotions and a generous referral programme when you sign up for an electricity plan with Geneco, which can end up saving you even more money. Here are their current promotions.

– Earn through Geneco’s attractive referral programme – With each referral made, both the referrer and the referee receive a reward of $20 each.

– Receive cash rebates on your bill – Receive a 1.0% cash rebate on your Geneco bill for the first 12 months when you pay with a UOB credit card. Even better, receive 1.0% cash rebate on your bill throughout your entire contract period when you pay with a POSB Everyday Card.

– Get 4,000 LinkPoints – Plus! members who use promo code PLUSGENECO when purchasing the Get It Fixed 36 plan receive 4,000 LinkPoints.

– Receive $25 off your bill – Enter XMAS25 when you sign up for any 12-, 24- or 36-month plan and receive a $25 rebate.

Look at your own electricity bill and you’ll no doubt find you can save money by switching to a more competitive electricity provider like Geneco. The sooner you make the switch, the sooner you can start saving money on your electricity bill every month.

*Kindly note that the calculation of the monthly electricity bill is based on an average household electricity consumption of 414kWh.

For more details, kindly visit Geneco’s website.

Brighten up your life with Geneco! With no hidden charges and low prices all year round, you can always expect big savings for your electricity bills.  Committed in delivering award-winning customer service and seamless sign up experience, it is easy to see why so many people choose Geneco. Visit www.geneco.sg to find out more of our compelling power plans.   *Prices reflected as of time of writing.

from Latest News from PropertyGuru http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2018/12/177286/comparing-electricity-prices-in-singapore-how-much-can-you-save-by-switching-to-a-more-competitive-provider