Nearly 1,000 student volunteers spent Sunday visiting department stores, entertainment venues and constructions sites in Shanghai to check if they were following energy-saving regulations.

The regulations, which were announced last month, called on office buildings, hotels and department stores to keep their air conditioners set at 26 degrees Celsius or higher. CRIENGLISH.com reported Monday.

Moreover, work on non-key construction sites must be halted when temperatures hit 35 degrees in order to stave off power shortages.

The volunteers took temperatures in malls and office buildings and made sure workers weren't using any electrical equipment at various minor construction sites.

Those who were found to be violating the regulations have three days to comply or they'll have their power cut off.

Officials say the action aims to cultivate students' energy saving habits by not only encouraging them to save every possible watt of electricity, but calling on and supervising others to follow the regulations as well.

Source: CRIENGLISH.com