Energy used in the home makes up a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom. There are many steps that you can do to reduce your energy consumption to save you money and protect our environment.
Change to a green energy supplier.
Changing the source of the energy that is provided to your home is a great way of having an immediate positive impact on the environment. 25 percent of all carbon emissions are the result of the energy we use in our homes.
The main cause of global warming is the burning of coal and oil for power. In February 2007 The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change concluded that it was 90 percent certain that the burning of coal and oil was the driving force for climate change. More information on this is available directly from the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change.
In an average year an average power station will release approximately 3,700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is the equivalent of cutting down 161,000,000 trees.
Changing the source of the energy that is provided to your home is a great way of having an immediate positive impact on the environment.
To select a green supplier to provide your home with electricity please visit
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Make sure all the light bulbs in your home are energy saving.
Using energy saving light bulbs uses 80 percent less electricity and can last over 10 times longer than ordinary light bulbs. It is estimated that changing 1 light bulb from traditional incandescent type to an energy saving version will save £7.00 per bulb per annum.
To find the best deal on energy saving light bulbs for you home please visit Green Energy Saving
Cavity wall insulation
In a home with no insulation up to a third of all heat is lost through the walls. Adding insulation to the walls greatly reduces this heat loss and will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home and therefore less carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere to meet your energy requirements …….and it will save you around £175 per year.
To find the best deal on Cavity wall insulation for you home please visit Green Cavity wall insulation
Loft insulation
Loft insulation acts like a blanket to trap the heat rising from the house. Putting loft insulation in your property will pay for itself in 1 – 2 years and will be the equivalent of 1 tonne of carbon dioxide less being released into the atmosphere.
Fitting loft insulation is fairly straightforward and can be done as a DIY project.
To find the best deal on Loft insulation for you home please visit Green loft insulation
Cover your hot water tank
Buying an insulating jacket for your hot water tank does not cost much and stops heating radiating to the surrounding area and being wasted. Fitting your hot water tank with an insulating jacket will only cost a few pounds and, with all the heat it traps, it pays for itself within six months. Fit one that’s at least 75mm (3 inches) thick and you could save around £30 a year.
Energy efficient electrical appliances
When it comes to change your electric appliances or if you want to be really proactive and change your appliance for the sake of going green then please consider getting environmentally friendly options. More and more manufacturers are creating green versions of their products. For the best deals and to find green appliances please visit Green Appliances
It is not just changing your existing electrical appliances for greener more efficient versions that are important. Changing the way in which we use and maintain everyday electrical goods will reduce the energy used in the home and your carbon footprint.
Energy labelling and certification
If replacing your white goods look out for the following labels which display the energy efficiency of a product.
EU Energy Label
Several European Union directives have been introduced to ensure that most white goods are given an energy rating. The energy efficiency of the appliance is rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Refrigeration products have an extra 2 rating of A+ and A++ to take in to consideration advances in efficiency.
Look out for this label and always try and buy the most efficient product you can afford. If you can’t find the label ask the retailer as by law this information must be provided.
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Energy Efficiency Recommended Logo
The Energy Efficiency recommended logo is a certification mark from the Energy Saving Trust and backed by the government which endorses products which have only the highest EU energy efficiency rating.
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Fridges and freezers
Fridges, freezers and fridge freezers consume more energy than any other white goods. They are switched on 24 hours a day 7 days a week.Regular defrosting of your freezer will help maintain its efficiency.
Instead of buying the cheapest fridge freezer buy an energy efficient model. This will reduce the amount of energy used by the fridge freezer by up to 65 percent through having better insulation; defrost systems and a high efficiency compressor. Given the potential for reducing energy consumption the energy efficient fridge will soon prove to be the more economical choice.
Washing machines and tumble dryers
It is well know that today’s washing machines and detergents wash just as well at lower temperatures as higher temperatures so make sure that you your washing machine always uses a 30 degree or lower cycle.
Washing a full load will be more efficient than 2 smaller ones.
Regular maintenance on your washing machines filters will maintain its efficiency.
Try and avoid using a tumble dryer. If you have to use a tumble dryer make sure it is a highly efficient one (since 1999 all tumble dryers carry an energy efficiency rating).
When replacing try and purchase an energy efficient model.
Cooking
A gas cooker is twice as efficient as an electric one. All new electric ovens now carry an energy rating so please select an oven with an energy rating of A (the most efficient).
