WHAT CAN WE DO AT HOME?

Homes and individual travel account for 40% of all UK CO2 emissions. By taking energy efficiency measures, the average household could reduce this by one third and save £340 per year.

For an average home most carbon dioxide is generated from transport and heating. The following gives an idea of how much carbon is saved by certain actions.

Actions Savings in carbon dioxide (kg)
Commute three miles a day by car - switch to cycling or public transport 500
Cavity wall insulation 800
Install a condensing boiler 875
Turning the thermometer down 1oC 330
Solar thermal panels for hot water 325

Source: the Energy Saving Trust

The amount of carbon you personally produce in a year can be determined using a carbon calculator. This will give you a measure of all of the carbon dioxide emissions that were generated by your activities over a specific time frame (usually a year). This is known as your carbon footprint.

There are several websites where you can calculate your carbon footprint and get a personalised action plan. This sometimes requires information on household energy bills and how much travelling you do. Others require less detailed information. The suggested actions will save carbon and can save you money.

 

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