Handy hints for energy efficient elfs and financially fluent faeries
Here are a list of action points which might help you make some energy reducing lifestyle choices and have a positve impact in the fight against climate change - oh, and most will save you money too.
- Slash your energy bills! Energy used in homes accounts for 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Simple steps can save energy - and of course save money. As heating accounts for the largest share of most household energy use, insulation is probably the biggest positive step forward. Uninsulated homes lose 25% of their heat through the roof and 35% through the walls - a further 10% escapes through windows. So loft insulation and cavity wall insulation - which are not that expensive - make sense.
see the website of the Building Research Establishment at www.bre.co.uk
- By energy saving products: wether its a new boiler, new fridge or a new cooker, look to make sure you are buying a product that is energy efficient, cheap to run and which helps prevent climate change
- Switch to renewable energy: Most people can choose their energy provider - so consumers can directly influence how much energy is generated form renewable sources
www.scottishpower.co.uk (green tariff)
www.southern-electric.co.uk (green tariff)
- Invest in microgeneration - this saves money and saves C02. There is another recent blog on ‘People Power’ on the Cycle Diaries but some useful links are
Low Carbon Building Programme www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
Renewable Energy Centre at www.renewablenergycentre.co.uk
See http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/consumer_affairs/article5054271.ece
Centre for Alternative Technology www.cat.org.uk
Energy Saving Trust www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
- Ditch the car! Use public transport wherever you can and whenever you can. And support local schemes to improve public transport. And dont forget the bicycle - green, clean, cheap and healthy too!
- Liftshare! Sharing cars, especially on long journeys, makes alot of sense. If you share petrol costs it saves money - and cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions
And if you are driving - drive at the speed limit (it substantially reduces CO2 emissions), make sure your tyrpes are correctly inflated, remove the roof rack if not needed and drive smoothly!
- Alternatives to flying - international flying keeps on growing - is it recession proof? Aviation is a major contribtor to greenhouse gas emissions and vastly inflate your personal ‘carbon footprint’. There are alternatgives to flying - domestically trains and coaches of course, and have alook a www.idontfly.com for other alternatives to a no-flight holiday.
- Dont waste - reduce, resuse, recycle - need we say more! No, we need to use less and reuse and recycle more!
- Feed worms - half of a typical household bin is heavy bulky food waste and most still has to be transported to landfill where it slowly rots producing even more greenhouse gases. If you can - compost - feed those worms!
- Buy local, eat local - and avoid those food miles!
- Freecycle! A marvellous idea - if you have things you want to get rid of or things you need - just post up a message and send out an email - and the world of freecycling is yours. Changing the world - one gift at a time - if you want to clear your clutter and find a good home for unwanted things - your are best getting involved with Freecycle. www.freecycle.org
Taken from the Green Guide to Cumbria produced by CAfS (Cumbria Action for Sustainability) and SusKes (Sustainable Keswick). www.cafs.org.uk