Various business establishments in Qatar, including some malls and hypermarkets, will continue reducing their electricity and water use this summer to prevent bills from going up, it is learnt.
They have been keen to implement “simple yet effective” steps to lessen energy and water usage as the mercury level has started climbing over the past few days.
Al Khor Mall manager Navaneeth Sudhakaran told Gulf Times that they make sure chillers (for central air-conditioning units) are checked, fixed (if any problem persists) and properly maintained to reduce electricity consumption.
“As ACs consume a lot of electricity, especially during the summer, we try to focus on optimising their use in the mall,” he said. “We do not reduce the thermostat because we have to maintain the temperature at a certain level.”
Al Khor Mall also uses a technology, a special kind of tint on glasses, to filter out sun rays and prevent too much heat from entering the premises, according to Sudhakaran.
He noted that all sections of the mall were well-insulated to maintain the cool temperature inside the building.
To save water, the establishment makes sure that sensors and special nozzles in their faucets in toilets and washrooms are working well . 
In addition, the mall uses LED lights in many of its sections, including the parking area. 
“We save a lot through these measures although there are no exact figures because it still depends on factors such as the footfall and temperature, among others,” Sudhakaran added.
He stressed that such energy- and water-saving measures are in line with the objectives and goals of Tarsheed, the National Campaign for the Conservation and Efficient Use of Water and Electricity in Qatar.
An official of LuLu Hypermarket echoed similar views, saying reducing energy and water use has significantly helped them save more money.
Besides advising employees not to waste water, he said part of their measures was to lessen water pressure in the building. 
Like Al Khor Mall, the source said they also try to reduce the consumption of as much electricity and water as possible during the winter to make up for the high consumption in the summer.
Some business establishments such as clinics, restaurants and eateries, supermarkets and hotels have also started undertaking similar measures.
A number of companies, including banks and offices in commercial buildings, have apparently asked their employees to bring their own power banks instead of charging their smartphones within the building.
Many Doha residents have also started reducing electricity and water use to prevent their bills from going up. These include reducing their laundry from once a week to once every two weeks to save electricity, water as well as detergent.