Energy use in homes (heat, light, power) accounts for 27% of the UK’s CO2 emissions. The average UK household creates 6 tonnes of CO2 a year. Your household could save up to £250 by saving 20% of its energy…and you could save even more energy by switching to a renewable provider (see next page), walking, cycling, using public transport (p.12), cutting food miles (p.18), and so on...
Some people find it easier to reduce their energy and carbon consumption once they know how much they are using. CRAG (Carbon Reduction Action Group) offers tips, tools and support of how best to ration your carbon. For the Leeds group: www.leedstidal.org/sccleeds/leedscrag.php or to see what ecological footprint you have left on the planet go to: footprintnetwork.org/
Cutting down what you use
Minimise your use of electrical appliances where you can. Don’t just switch things to standby as this still uses 10-60% as much electricity.
Only fill the kettle with the amount of water needed.
When cooking choose the right size pan, fill with only as much water as you need, keep the lid on, and don’t allow the flame to lick up the edges (if you are using a gas hob). Invest in a pressure cooker as it heats everything much faster.
Washing your clothes at 40° instead of 60° uses 1/3 less power. Always wash a full load or use the half load/ economy setting.
Tumble dryers use lots of energy. If you can, hang your clothes outside, get a clothes horse or just string up a washing line.
Heating
How about putting on a jumper before you reach to switch the heating on or turning it up? Cooler houses are healthier and turning down your heating by just 1°C can save up to 10% on your energy bill.
Try not to have the heating on when windows are open, this is obviously quite wasteful!
Shut your curtains as soon as it gets dark, this will help keep the heat in.
Stop draughts from badly fitting windows and doors (e.g. with draught excluders) and you could save up to £20 on your bills.
Set your heating to come on around half an hour before you come home rather than leave it on all day whilst no one is home.
Does your hot water tank have an insulating jacket? If not you can pick one up for less than a tenner and this will help reduce heat loss (it needs to be more than 3 inches thick).
Lighting
Conserve energy by switching off lights when you leave the room.
Try to buy A rated energy efficient light bulbs. One of these light bulbs can lower lighting costs by up to £78 over the lifetime of one bulb as they last up to 12X longer than an ordinary. They’re available form Essentials in the Union, or contact your energy supplier as they might be able to provide them cheaper or for free.
See the ‘Your House’ section for information on energy efficient appliances.
In halls
A few things to bear in mind:
• Heating controls are pre-set for 7am to 11pm, please don’t alter these unless shown how to by a member of staff.
• Please don’t alter the thermostats but adjust the heating directly via your radiator.
• Hot water controls are normally set to 60° all day to prevent growth of bacteria. Please don’t alter controls for this reason.
• Contact a member of staff if you have
