Carbon Reduction

Tips and Advice to help you cut carbon and energy costs

Top 5 Cost Saving actions

1. Hang out the washing instead of tumble drying 

Hanging the washing out instead of using the tumble drier will save about 153kg CO₂ a year - that's £52 (USD68) each year, based on 150 cycles a year. 

2. Turn down the heating by 1⁰C

Reducing your heating by 1⁰C can reduce your energy consumption by 8%. For an average household gas bill of 12,500kWh this will reduce your CO₂ emissions by 184kg - that's £42 (USD55) each year.

3. Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need to boil

Only boiling the amount of water for your hot drink will save 72kg CO₂ a year - that's £23 (USD30) per annum

4. Spend less time in the shower

Spending 1 minute less in the shower can save 23kg CO₂ and £8 (USD10) a year (based on one shower a day and a 9kW shower).

5. Turn electrical equipment off when not in use 

Fully turning off just one LCD TV (rather than leaving it on standby) for 18 hours a day will save about 5kg CO₂ a year - saving £2 a year (USD2.64). Turn off all other electrical equipment when not in use to multiply the savings.

Total Potential savings are 437kg CO₂ and £127 each year

Technology based energy savings

The following is a list of items that may take an initial investment, but should pay for themselves through savings on your energy bills.

• Fit energy saving light bulbs - LEDs can save 90% of lighting energy costs
• Install thermostatic valves on your radiators
• Insulate your hot water tank
• Install cavity wall installation
• Install 180mm thick loft insulation
• Replace your old refrigerator / freezer (if it is over 15 years old), with a new one with energy efficiency rating of "A++"
• Replace your old boiler with a new energy efficient condensing boiler

Travel less and travel more carbon footprint friendly 

• Car share to work or for the kids school run
• Use the bus or a train rather than your car
• For short journeys; walk or cycle
• Try to reduce the number of flights you take
• See if your employer will allow you to work from home one day a week
• Next time you replace your car - make sure you choose a low emission vehicle. If you have the budget, consider getting a hybrid or full electric car.
• When staying in a hotel - turn the lights and air-conditioning off when you leave your hotel room, and ask for your room towels to be washed every other day, rather than every day

As well as your primary carbon footprint, there is also a secondary footprint caused by your purchasing habits

• Don't buy bottled water if your tap water is safe to drink
• Buy local fruit and vegetables, or even try growing your own
• Buy foods that are in season locally
• Don't buy fresh fruit and vegetables which are out of season, they may have been flown in
• Reduce your consumption of meat
• Try to only buy products made close to home (look out and avoid items that are made in the distant lands)
• Buy organic produce
• Don't buy over packaged products
• Recycle as much as possible
• Think carefully about the type of activities you do in your spare time. Do any of these cause an increase in carbon emissions? e.g. Saunas, Health clubs, restaurants and pubs, go-karting etc. etc...

Offset Your emissions

It is very difficult to reduce emissions to zero, so think about Offsetting the emissions you can't reduce any further or emissions you have already caused.

Plastic Waste

Take a look at our Plastic Waste page for tips on how you can decrease your plastic footprint using the four r's - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. 

Work out your plastic footprint using our free Plastic Calculator

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